Project Scale:
Redesign and upgrade of a 200 gpm freshwater supply system.

Where:
Nanaimo, BC, Canada

When:
Phase 1 Completed in 2003; Phase 2 Completed in 2005.

Project Description:
PBS conducts nationally-significant research regarding all aspects of aquatic life forms within DFO’s Pacific Region mandate. The treatment system upgrade for the PBS site incorporated filtration and de-chlorination to treat municipal water for the holding of aquatic organisms. Phase 1 involved replacing the existing filtration equipment, and Phase 2 involved upgrading the upstream plumbing system to compliment and integrate well with the filtration system.

Services Provided:
PR Aqua designed, supplied and installed the Phase 1 installation, and provided the design and construction support services for the Phase 2 installation.

Project Features:
The design incorporates a six-vessel modular media filter system with both sand media for filtration and activated carbon for de-chlorination of the municipal water supply. The sand filters are configured to operate in parallel; the de-chlorinators are configured for either series or parallel operation to provide for treatment flexibility. Post-treatment water has to meet closely monitored, stringent low levels of chlorine. Integration with existing monitoring and alarm systems was crucial to success of the project.

Insulation was applied to all plumbing and equipment; Sch 80 PVC piping in the Phase 1 treatment system, and cement-lined, ductile iron plumbing in the upstream, Phase 2 area.
Un-interrupted water supply was required during installation and is required throughout back-wash operations.

Challenges and Solutions:
A reliable, safe water supply is of critical importance for the aquaculture systems at PBS. Accordingly, PR Aqua incorporated redundancy, flexibility and integrated monitoring systems into the design to mitigate the risk of system failure.

Results:
PBS is operating successfully and continues to involve PR Aqua in their upgrade and expansion programs. For more information, visit their website at http://www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sci/pbs.