Manitoba community transforms obsolete lagoon into a healthy wetland
Ducks Unlimited Canada is celebrating World Wetlands Day by highlighting a success story in Niverville, Man.
In 2007, the growing town was faced with the task of decommissioning its old lagoon wastewater system in favour of a more modern one.
"One of the challenges they had, there was approximately 53,000 tons of bio-solid material that would have had to have been removed," said Lisette Ross, head of Wetland Services for Ducks Unlimited Canada’s Native Plant Solutions.
She said often in these cases, bio-solid materials are physically removed by truck and spread out over farmlands to provide nutrients. However, a lack of available land in the area ruled out that option for Niverville.
"They, I think at that time, knew about the possibilities of remediating bio-solids in place, and they reached out to us," said Ross.
Ducks Unlimited partnered with the town, using plants native to the area to remove contaminants from the hazardous materials in a process called "bioremediation."
"We use plant systems to help us break down those products and turn them into something that is much safer," Ross said.
It was the first project of its kind in North America. The process took more than ten years, and was considered a success.
The remediated lagoon system was turned into safe, beautiful wetlands. It has now become an extension of an existing park system and a popular birdwatching area.
Ross said the experimental process turned out to be a lot cheaper than the traditional methods of decommissioning a wastewater lagoon, coming in at around $750,000.
She hopes Niverville's willingness to try a new approach will help other communities see the value of wetlands.
"They really have a valuable place on our landscape, whether they're a constructed system or a natural system," said Ross.
-with files from CTV's Kimberly Wertman
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.