THE MUNICIPALITY OF THE DISTRICT

OF GUYSBOROUGH

LITTLE DOVER DECENTRALIZED

SEWER SOLUTION
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The Innovative Project which is being submitted by the Municipality of the District of
Guysborough for the Municipal InNOVAward is a decentralized wastewater collection and treatment
system specifically designed and implemented to meet the challenges faced in rural Nova Scotia,
particularly for small coastal communities. Little Dover, like most fishing villages in Nova Scotia, has
extremely poor soil conditions including a lot of rock; and, with the decline of the fishing industry the
income levels are very low. Therefore, this project provides a practical and efficient wastewater
collection system at an affordable cost using innovation in both the design and the funding/cost
sharing methods.

(RECIRCULATING SAND FILTER BELOW)

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REASON FOR INNOVATION:

The Municipality of the District of Guysborough was faced with a very serious environmental
concern in the community of Little Dover. Little Dover is a small fishing village at the eastern end of
Nova Scotia on the rocky shores of the Atlantic Ocean. This fishing village, like many others in Nova
Scotia, has approximately 150 homes nestled along the shoreline of a small fishing harbour. The
soil conditions in this village provide very poor conditions for on-site sewer systems which has
resulted in severe contamination problems within the community.

In 1974 a pollution control study was carried out in Little Dover which identified the need for
a sewer system at that time. Again, in 1988 the Department of Health identified that only 22% of
sewer systems were functioning properly and that 80% of the wells were contaminated or threatened
by contamination. In 2000 the Municipality carried out a sanitary survey of the community which
indicated that 71% of the wells in the community were contaminated by fecal or total coliform
bacteria. Each home in the community releases approximately 200 gallons of contaminated water
and sewer per day. In total, there is approximately 30,000 gallons released in the community each
day with the majority of the contaminated water escaping into the ditches, shoreline and
surface/groundwater supplies. The 2000 survey confirmed that there was a serious environmental
hazard within this community which resulted in the Municipality proceeding with a design of a system
to collect and treat all contaminated water for treatment.

The decision was made by Guysborough Municipal Council that the sewer problem had to
be corrected in this village to prevent serious health problems from occurring directly related to
contaminated well water. One of the challenges faced by the Municipality in determining a solution
for this community was the high unemployment rate combined with both low and fixed incomes.
These economic conditions, created by the downturn in the fishing industry, required an affordable
solution that would achieve the goal of cleaning up this community.

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INNOVATIVE ELEMENTS OF THE PROJECT:

The Municipality had to implement many new policies, procedures and programs to allow
clean up of this community to proceed such as:

A. Innovative design for the wastewater collection & treatment system

B. Wastewater management district to allow access to all private properties
C. Low income exemptions and policies for capital charges and capital charge payment
plans (up to 10 years)
D. Partnerships with three levels of government and multiple government departments

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A. INNOVATIVE DESIGN FOR THE WASTEWATER COLLECTION &
TREATMENT SYSTEM:

The type of system to be installed in Little Dover is a Small Diameter Gravity Sewage
Collection System and a Recirculating Sand Filter Treatment System which consists of...........

A. A 1000 Gallon Waterproof Tank on each Property

i. A filter in tank to ensure no solids escape
ii. Tank will have watertight risers to surface for
monitoring and clean out
iii. Pumps in tanks below elevation of flow line
with electrical connection to home
iv. Tank system provides primary treatment
which is 75% of the necessary treatment
v. Scheduled for semi-annual monitoring for thickness of solids on top of
tank. Tank will only be pumped as required.

B. Small Diameter Sewage Collection Lines

i. Main line along street approximately 5 feet deep for liquids. (6 inch & 4
inch diameter pipe is used)
ii. Whereas lines collect liquid only, clean outs are
used instead of expensive man holes
iii. Considered a closed system eliminating storm
water problems. Pumps are water pumps only.
Clean out protected by an outside manhole
eliminate storm water to enter the system
iv. 4” or 2” lateral extends to 1000 gallon tank on
property

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Design Advantages Versus Conventional System:

1. A small diameter gravity sewer system has a significantly reduced cost per foot to install
due to reduced pipe sizes and reduced depths for installation therefore allowing a much
greater area to be serviced within an acceptable cost per household making the small
diameter gravity sewer system the solution for decentralized communities with
contamination problems.

2. A small diameter gravity sewer system is a closed system which does not have manholes
or any opening collecting unwanted storm water in the system. Conventional systems
have manholes approximately every 100 metres which collect large amounts of storm
water, dirt, etc. in storm conditions substantially increasing flows to both pumps and
treatment facilities therefore significantly increasing operating costs for conventional
systems.

3. Mainline for a Small Diameter Gravity Sewer System is generally 4” in diameter and is
buried approximately 4’ in depth following the contours of the land/street. A conventional
system normally ranges from 8’ to 12’ in depth. The advantage of shallower trenches is
less disturbance of streets and properties, reduced risk of impacting on the water table,
streams and dug wells. There is also a significant reduction in construction safety
concerns with shallow trenching versus deep trenches. Shallow trenches also reduce the
potential of having to blast ledge or rock which is a common problem encountered in
shoreline fishing communities. All of these considerations save capital costs.

4. The significant advantage for the homeowner is the fact that the Municipality installs the
complete system including the portion on the private property up to within 1 metre of the
dwelling. Each property receives a waterproof tank on the lot which provides 70% of the
necessary treatment of the solids generated at each property.

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5. A significant advantage on both capital and operating aspects of the system is that all
pumps in the collection system are water pumps only as all solids are contained within the
tank on the lot and the collection system is protected by a filter which allows water only
to leave the tank.

6. In general the cost to install a small diameter gravity sewer system is 30% - 50% less
than the cost of a conventional system. While a complete conventional design was not
completed by the Municipality it is estimated that a capital savings of +- $1.2 million will
be realized. If greater savings can be realized in similar future projects due to design and
construction refinement then there would be tens of millions of tax dollars saved.

7. The operating costs should be substantially lower than a conventional system as it is a

closed system eliminating storm water and 70% of the treatment of solids occurs in a
water proof tank on each individual lot. (Tanks would be checked semi-annually and only
solids not processed by natural bacteria in the tank would be pumped.)

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B. LITTLE DOVER WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT:

The Wastewater Management District that was identified in the community of Little Dover as
having a serious sewage problem is 2 km long and contains approximately 4 km of road to be
serviced within the defined area. However, funding would not allow for a central sewage collection
and treatment system to be provided for the entire area therefore it was necessary to find another
approach. It was determined that in order for the wells, brooks and shoreline to be environmentally
reinstated there would have to be a community effort with all the designated area being addressed.
Two of the problems that were faced by the Municipality were access to private properties and cost
to residents. Therefore, in order to address many of the issues with servicing this large area Council
established a Wastewater Management District and adopted a Wastewater Management District
By-law.

The Wastewater Management District By-Law provides the necessary authority to proceed
with the installation of a sewer system on both public and private property. The By-law also
authorizes the Municipality to collect rates from residents toward capital charge for the project and
also rates for the operation and maintenance of the sewer system. The By-law established a
Wastewater Management District Area to be serviced and also regulates the type of pipe used and
the installation procedures and other matters concerning the installation and operation of the system.

The advantages of a wastewater management district is it identifies a specific target area with
environment problems resulting from wastewater discharge and provides Council with authority to
determine the most economical method of correcting all wastewater problems within the defined
area. It also provides access to both public and private property and allows either on-site or central
connections to be used. It allows a much larger area to be considered for clean up and also allows
capital and operation costs to be contributed to by larger groups of property owners. The Municipality
assumes responsibility for the management of wastewater for all existing and new developments and
it provides assurance to residents that all wastewater within the defined area is managed to ensure
protection of the environment.

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 All registered property owners were given the opportunity to advise Council if they were in
favour or not in favour of a new sewer system and Wastewater Management District. An open house
information session was held to discuss the design, funding and costs for the project. (cost sheets
presented are attached). A public meeting was also held with a formal presentation by municipal
staff, council, engineering and environment representatives. In addition to informal meetings, flyers,
etc. a confirmation letter was sent to each property owner where they were asked to provide a
response for or against the project.

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C. PROJECT FUNDING & LOW INCOME EXEMPTION:

The project costs and sources of funding are broken down as follows:

The Municipality took several measures to ensure that the installation of a public sewer
system in Little Dover is affordable for the residents. First, the capital charge was established at
$2,500 per equivalent unit. This amount reflects the investment some had already made in on-site
systems and the Council’s desire to clean up the environment for the public good. The Council will
pay the balance of the local share from general rates. Second, the option of a 10 year payment
plan was adopted. This would allow residents without the ability to pay the $2,500 charge up front
the option of financing the capital charge over a period of up to d10 years. An interest rate of 9.25%
applies to these plans. The rate was intended to be competitive with bank borrowing rates so as to
not be either punitive to those who had to choose the payment plant or attractive to those who would
pay the lump sum up front. Third, a low income capital charge exemption was adopted. This
exemption will provide for a $100 annual reduction for residents with incomes $12,000 or lower and
a $50 annual exemption for residents with incomes between $12,000 and $15,000. If residents
choose to take advantage of the 10 year payment plan this exemption could apply each year and
result in a savings of $500 to $1000.

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D. GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIPS:

This innovative solution for a public sewer system for the rural community of Little Dover is
currently being implemented with the project being approximately 70% complete and substantial
completion scheduled for October 2002 (this Fall). This decentralized system was only possible as
a result of partnerships between the three levels of government under the infrastructure program as
well as direct and indirect assistance from many government departments and the residents.

The concept for the system was promoted by Department of Municipal Affairs in conjunction
with Department of Environment. Study and review of this concept included a complete analysis of
similar type systems operating in Oregon, USA. A Steering Committee, established to direct the
design, included Department of Municipal Affairs, Department of Environment, Department of
Fisheries, Department of Natural Resources, Municipal and community representatives.

Funding for the contract for this project was provided under the infrastructure program and
other levels of assistance was provided to make this project a complete environmental cleanup and
enhancement of the community. Programs were explored through the Department of Community
Services (Housing Services Division) and promoted to ensure opportunities were available to
residents to upgrade existing plumbing facilities. Also, to improve drainage in the community and
to improve esthetics the Department of Transportation provided new culverts which were installed
by the contractor rather than reinstalling old deteriorated pipes.

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 APPENDIX A

RELATIONSHIP OF PROJECT TO AWARD CRITERIA:

The Little Dover Sewer Project provides many benefits to the residents by, first of all, cleaning
up the environment in this community using a very cost effective method. This results in lower capital
installation costs for the residents as well as anticipated lower operating costs which is a direct cost
savings for residents on their annual operating charge.

An additional benefit to residents is due to the simplicity of the design of this system which
resulted in a large portion of the work under the contract being carried out by local residents.

The system installed in Little Dover allows the Municipality to provide public sewer service to
a large area in a rural community with medium density in a cost effective manner which could not be
serviced by a conventional sewer system within an acceptable cost.

The Little Dover Sewer Project is not only funded under the infrastructure program but has
also been supported by current programs and services available from many government departments
as identified in the project description.

The Little Dover Sewer Project involves partnerships with all levels of government and multiple
departments as identified in the project description.

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