About North Shore Mi’kmaq District Council:
NSMDC provides Service Delivery,Technical Support and Building Capacity in Water & Waste Management, Housing & Infrastructure, Post-secondary Education, Training & Employment, Community Development, Financial and Technical Services and Child & Family services.
About Potlotek First Nation:
The Potlotek First Nation formerly known as Chapel Island, is a Mi’kmaq community located in the district of Unama’kik. Unama’kik is translated into English as “the land of fog”. Mi’kmaq territory, known to Mi’kmaq as Mi’kma’kik, was split into seven (7) Districts. Potlotek is translated into English as “Chapel Island”. Potlotek First Nation is located 75 kilometres southwest of Sydney on the southern shores of the Bras d’Or Lakes.
2021 Technical Presentations:
Abstract: Case Study Example – Potlotek First Nation Water
Day 1: December 7, 2021 at 11:40 AM AT
Summary: The facility was designed to provide a continuous net production rate of 6.3 L/s (545 m3 /day, 100 USgpm) with one filtration train out of service. The treatment process is based on coagulation, flocculation, dissolved air flotation clarification, conventional media filtration, UV disinfection, granular activated carbon filtration, sodium hypochlorite disinfection and oxidative media filtration.
What was done: The work generally included the removal of existing piping, valves, pumps, motors, and electrical equipment; relocation of existing chemical feed equipment; and supply and installation of new piping, valves, pumps, pressure tanks, instrumentation, motor control equipment, a PLC control panel, miscellaneous electrical and mechanical equipment, and cabinetry. The Work was planned and executed to allow for the continuous operation of at least one of the two existing well pumps, and at least one of the two treated water booster pumps, until one new VFD-driven booster pump is online and operating under PLC control.
Motivation and Aims: In the past, Potlotek Mi’kmaw Nation community members undergone numerous boil-water and do-not-consume orders from public health, due to water quality (specifically high levels of iron/manganese) and turbidity issues. The treatment system was not designed for iron and manganese removal or pH adjustment; these parameters had been regularly exceeded in the treated water on a seasonal basis, leading to dirty water events, accumulation of sludge in the storage tank, biofilms and tuberculation in distribution system piping, difficulty maintaining chlorine residual in certain areas of the system, and complaints from residents. Additionally, the original system was imported from Scotland which led to difficulties in procuring replacement parts.
Result: Combined efforts from Potlotek Mi’kmaw Nation, Indigenous Services Canada, and CBCL Limited resulted in a system in which provides regulatory and functional requirements for safe, quality drinking water for the community.
Further information: The project included a detailed Maintenance Management Plan to provide the plant operations staff with a summary document of what is needed to maintain and operate the WTP.
Location of practice: Potlotek Mi’kmaw Nation
Date: 2018
Source: Potlotek WTP MMP 142486.04
About Julianna Haché, North Shore Mi’kmaq District Council:
Julianna Haché has 3 years of experience as a Process/Project Engineer in Training. Julianna is an Engineer in Training working for North Shore Micmac District Council’s Circuit Rider Training Program. She received her undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from Dalhousie University in 2018. Upon graduation, Julianna worked for J. D. Irving, Limited in process improvement and capital project management where she completed scheduling, planning, and resource acquisition for capital projects at the Cavendish Farms plants. At North Shore Micmac District Council, she now provides technical support for all Circuit Rider Training Program water and wastewater community facilities.
About Noel Doucette, Potlotek First Nation:
Noel has been working as an operator at Potlotek First Nation since April 2014 and has attained a Level II certification in water treatment and distribution, as well as a Level 1 certification in wastewater treatment and collection. Noel is a graduate of the University College of Cape Breton with a diploma in Construction Technology, and of the Canso Regional Vocational School with a diploma in drafting. He holds a Masters certificate in Project Management and a certificate in Land Management from Indigenous Services Canada. His previous experience includes technical advisory services and building code compliance for First Nation Communities. He has a background in general insurance, underground construction, and as a coal miner.