Overview
Town of Athabasca wastewater treatment plant serves approximately 2,227 residents in Alberta, Canada. The facility is operational and discharges treated effluent into the Athabasca River system.
The Town of Athabasca wastewater treatment plant is located in northern Alberta, Canada, along Highway 813. It serves a population of about 2,227 residents, classifying it as a small municipal facility. The plant is operational and plays a key role in managing local wastewater. As a Canadian facility, the plant operates under provincial regulations administered by Alberta Environment and Parks. For small communities like Athabasca, typical treatment includes secondary processes to meet effluent quality standards. The plant's design and operation align with Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) guidelines for wastewater. The treated effluent is discharged into the Athabasca River, which flows northward into Lake Athabasca and eventually via the Slave River to Great Slave Lake and the Mackenzie River system, reaching the Arctic Ocean. This river system supports diverse aquatic life and is ecologically sensitive, particularly downstream in the Peace-Athabasca Delta.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Athabasca River, a major tributary of the Mackenzie River basin. The river flows through boreal forest and peatland ecosystems before reaching the Peace-Athabasca Delta, a globally significant wetland that supports migratory birds and fish species. Downstream waters ultimately drain into the Arctic Ocean via the Mackenzie River system.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Highway 813 in the Town of Athabasca, Alberta, Canada, with coordinates 54.73 N, 113.271 W.
The plant serves approximately 2,227 residents, making it a small municipal facility.
Treated effluent is discharged into the Athabasca River, which flows northward through Alberta and into the Mackenzie River system.
The plant operates under Alberta's Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and follows guidelines from the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) for wastewater effluent quality.
Small Canadian plants like Athabasca typically use secondary treatment processes such as aerated lagoons or activated sludge to meet provincial effluent standards.
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