Gold Bar air quality monitoring

The AAQMS monitors one hour average concentrations of the following substances: Nitrogen Oxides (NO_x); Sulfur Dioxide (SO₂); Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S). Meteorological factors such as wind speed, wind direction, ambient temperature, relative humid​i​​ty, and barometric pressure are also recorded to help interpret the monitoring results. The data collected from the AAQMS are submitted to the Alberta government. These data become publicly available at the Alberta Air Data Warehous​eopens in a new tab every month.

​Concentrations of these substances are monitored and compared with the Alberta Ambient Air Quality Objectives (AAAQOs). These objectives are pre-established concentrations of certain substances that pose a potential risk to the environment or human health. If an AAAQO is exceeded, it is reported to the Government of Alberta.​​​

• H₂S: Due to the raw wastewater that flows through Gold Bar, it is normal for odours to occasionally results. Most of these odours are related to H₂S. This gas is naturally produced by biological activity in wastewater and is characterized by a rotten-egg small that can be detected at very low le​​​vels. The odour of H₂S is detectable at a very low level (around 10-20 parts per billion). Health issues are only a concern at much higher concentrations (with exposures greater than 10,000 parts per billion).
  

• NO_​x: Nitrogen Oxides (NO_x) are a by-product of combustion.
  

• SO₂: Sulphur Dioxide (SO₂) is a by-product of equipment such as boilers and flares, which are used during the wastewater treatment process.​

The data collected from the new Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station are being submitted to Alberta Environment and Parks (AEP), to comply with the Gold Bar Wastewater Treatment Plant operating approval. These data (which represent the hourly average) become publicly available from the AEP Air Data Warehouseopens in a new tab every month. 

A reading from any of the Air Quality Monitoring Stations (the new station, the Gold Bar station, or the Beverly Station) that exceeds the objectives established by AEP is immediately reported to AEP. At the same time, operations staff at Gold Bar initiate an investigation into the occurrence. The investigation includes:

• ​Verifying the time, date, location, and substa​nce of the exceedance.
• Modelling to corroborate the exceedance and to identify the potential sources.
• Checking the wind direction at the time of the exceedance.
• Reviewing scrubber performance during the exceedance. (Scrubbers reduce odours by treating the air collected from the primary treatment process.)
• Checking data from the fenceline monitors during the time of the exceedance.
  
• Checking for other maintenance activities or drainage operations that may have contributed to the exceedance.
• Taking note of any public odour complaints received during this time. 
  

These investigations help us determine if the exceedance is due to plant operations and what we can do to correct the situation. Sometimes we can address the situation immediately, however, these investigations also allow us to track trends over time and this will guide our long-term odour reduction plans. 

In the unlikely event that safe levels of these substances are ever exceeded, EPCOR will let you know of any concerns and any precautions you should take. One of the ways we will notify you is our through our water outages and alerts page.