Lagoon Sludge Removal Project Update – Aeration System Trial - September 15, 2026

The lagoon aeration system continues to operate with both blowers online. As of 10 a.m. today, September 15, the system will have been running for seven full days.

Staff anticipate beginning to see changes in pond performance and monitoring results as the trial progresses. To date, dissolved oxygen (DO) levels have not shown significant improvement, increasing from approximately 0.20 mg/L to around 0.30 mg/L. The goal is to increase DO levels to a minimum of 1.5 mg/L, with 2.0 mg/L or higher being preferred.

Staff are collecting samples today and Thursday for laboratory analysis. This will provide performance data on the breakdown of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), which measures the amount of dissolved oxygen required by bacteria to break down wastewater.

The aeration system and pond are expected to achieve approximately a 50 per cent reduction in BOD between the raw sewage entering the pond and the discharge to the two larger ponds further back on the site.

Cooler nights and, eventually, cooler water entering the pond are favourable conditions for increasing dissolved oxygen levels.

Staff will continue to monitor pond conditions, dissolved oxygen levels and treatment performance as the aeration trial progresses.

The aeration system trial is expected to run for approximately 14 to 21 days. We are at day 7. 

Updates on the Lagoon Sludge Removal Project will be posted every Tuesday and Friday throughout the aeration trial. Residents can also subscribe to receive project updates directly to their inbox.

Contact the Project Team