Overview
Joussard Waste Water Lagoon is a secondary treatment plant in Driftpile, Alberta, Canada, serving a small population of 48. It discharges treated wastewater near the coast of Lesser Slave Lake.
Joussard Waste Water Lagoon is a municipal wastewater treatment facility located in Driftpile, within Big Lakes County, Alberta, Canada. The plant serves a small community of 48 people and is classified as a secondary treatment facility, which is typical for small rural agglomerations in the province. The plant operates under Alberta's Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, which governs wastewater discharges. For a facility of this scale, secondary treatment is the standard requirement to reduce organic matter and suspended solids before discharge. The plant's discharge volume is reported as 190 cubic meters per day. The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into Lesser Slave Lake, a large freshwater lake in northern Alberta. The lake supports diverse aquatic life and is an important recreational and ecological resource. The plant's proximity to the lake underscores the need for effective treatment to protect water quality.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Lesser Slave Lake watershed, which drains into the Athabasca River system and eventually the Arctic Ocean via the Mackenzie River. Lesser Slave Lake is ecologically sensitive, supporting fish species such as walleye and northern pike, and provides habitat for migratory birds. The lake's water quality is influenced by nutrient inputs, making secondary treatment important for controlling eutrophication.
Frequently asked questions
Joussard Waste Water Lagoon is located in Driftpile, within Big Lakes County, Alberta, Canada, along the Northern Woods & Water Route.
The plant serves a small community of 48 people, typical of rural wastewater facilities in northern Alberta.
The plant provides secondary treatment and discharges treated effluent into the local watershed, which flows into Lesser Slave Lake.
The plant protects the Lesser Slave Lake watershed, which drains into the Athabasca River system and ultimately the Mackenzie River, a major Arctic-bound river.
The plant operates under Alberta's Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, which sets standards for wastewater treatment. For small communities, secondary treatment is typically required to protect receiving water bodies.
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