Contributing to the important discussions affecting the BC water sector and natural environment next week in Victoria, BC at the BC Water & Waste Association‘s 2025 Annual Conference, will be several members of our water and environmental practices from Vancouver, Victoria, and Vernon.
Sharing their experience and expertise on a variety of projects in the education program on April 28th will be the following:
9:30am – 10:00am | Lecture Theatre Plant Optimization: Considerations for Strategically Taking a Process Offline Presenter: Keith Kohut
2:00pm – 3:00pm | Oak Bay 2 Environmental Regulatory Planning for Flood Mitigation Projects Presenter: Heather Taylor
4:15pm – 4:45pm | Lecture Theatre Foaming: Causes, Impacts, and Solutions for Wastewater and Residuals Treatment Presenter: Cameron Macdonell
4:15pm – 4:45pm | Oak Bay 2 FVH1CIP: Assessing and Improving Functionality of Infiltration-Based Stormwater Systems Presenter: Eric Finney
Located off British Columbia’s northern Pacific Coast, Haida Gwaii is an archipelago consisting of two main islands, Graham Island in the north and Moresby Island in the south, along with approximately 400 smaller islands. The ancestral lands of the Haida Nation, the history of Haida Gwaii dates back thousands of years. Living along coastal waters, historically, Haida People used canoes as their primary mode of transportation.
Today, Highway 16 and Alliford Bay Road form the main transportation route connecting Sandspit in the south to Daajing Giids and Skidegate, Tlell, Port Clements, and Masset in the north. There are no alternate routes between communities for transporting goods or emergency services. These critical roads parallel the coastline and frequently experience coastal erosion as a result of storm events in Hecate Strait.
The BC Ministry of Transportation and Transit retained Associated Engineering to serve as the prime consultant to complete the Haida Gwaii Shoreline Protection Study to identify areas along the road with high erosion potential and present conceptual design options to mitigate impacts to the roadway and keep the residents connected. The study included frequent communication with local governments and the Haida Nation for their input and feedback.
Technical undertakings included comprehensive site reconnaissance, metocean (meteorology and oceanography) condition analysis, spectral wave modelling, shoreline classification, and a spatial assessment of the proximity of infrastructure to the shoreline. Project Manager and Technical Lead, David Forde, tells us, “These efforts informed the development of a vulnerability matrix, which revealed that much of the project area faces medium-to-high vulnerability to coastal erosion.”
The assessment is corroborated by the near-annual repairs undertaken by the Ministry along the highway. Six segments identified as highly vulnerable were selected and conceptual stabilization designs were developed to address these critical areas.
Wherever possible, the proposed concepts emphasize nature-based solutions. Some of the options included rock headlands and self-distributing sand nourishment, in addition to traditional revetments
Due to a balance of the high wave energy, material cost and availability limitations, and importance of preserving natural environment, a hybrid of these options is recommended.
Associated is continuing to work with the Ministry on a separate assignment to refine estimates, review material availability, and further quantify risks. Together with the Ministry and our project partner, DHI Water and Environment, Associated intends to prepare designs to inform coastal erosion protection at pilot sites. We hope these pilot sites will provide valuable ‘lessons-learned’, which can be leveraged in the design and protection of high-vulnerability segments along this critical transportation corridor.
Associated Engineering’s key project members included David Forde, Chloe Sirges, Nicola Van Der Mark, and Josh Holland.
Associated is very proud to announce the news of Marta Green‘s appointment as the first female President in the 55 year history of the BC Ground Water Association! The decision was made at the recent BCGWA Annual General Meeting held in Kamloops, BC. Marta previously held the role of Vice President of the BCGWA for the 2023-2025 term.
As a professional geoscientist, Marta has more than 25 years of environmental consulting experience in western and northern Canada. A graduate of the University of British Columbia’s hydrogeology program, her expertise includes physical hydrogeology, water quality, contaminant hydrogeology, and regional hydrogeological studies.
The BCGWA’s mission is to provide professional and technical leadership in the advancement of the groundwater industry and in the protection, promotion, and responsible development of groundwater resources.
On June 5, 2024, the City of Calgary experienced a catastrophic break in the Bearspaw South Feedermain, the largest pipe in Calgary’s drinking water conveyance system with the capacity to convey over 450 million litres per day. The loss of the feedermain led The City to declare a State of Local Emergency and retain Associated Engineering for emergency response services to repair and reinstate service.
The 1,950 millimetre diameter prestressed concrete cylinder-type pipe conveys water from The City’s Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant to the largest of Calgary’s 35 pressure zones. The Bearspaw South Feedermain also supplies the 33 Avenue NW, Shaganappi, Memorial Drive, Hillhurst, and Nose Creek Pump Stations.
As an immediate response, The City of Calgary initiated their emergency management system to coordinate a response to the Bearspaw South Feedermain break, with the single purpose of maintaining critical water service. Two key requirements to maintain water services were modifications made to pump station operations and restoring critical water services back to normal as quickly as possible by expediting the design and construction of the feedermain repairs. With the Bearspaw South Feedermain out of commission, pump station modifications were needed to move water from the south to the north to service the city; this required analysis of system risks and quick decision-making.
Within hours of the feedermain break, Associated Engineering began providing operational and infrastructure analysis, and corresponding solutions to maintain critical water service. Project Manager and Vice President, Urban Infrastructure, Duane Strayer, explains, “We completed an operational review and provided recommendations, undertook hydraulic transient analyses and site reviews, and produced recommended repair designs, surveys, in-situ forensics investigations (including stray current and soil testing), and construction inspection.”
Parallel to redirecting water, Associated’s team reviewed operational data from the Bearspaw Water Treatment Plant and Shaganappi Pump Station SCADA systems. Within one day, we received and analyzed thousands of information points from The City, and presented initial findings that indicated pump operations were not a contributing factor to the feedermain break.
Associated applied first-hand knowledge of the pump station’s operating pressures and design setpoints for the pressure-reducing valves to bypass flow. The project team developed a plan to reverse flow from the Glendale zone through the Shaganappi Pump Station (designed by Associated), allowing for the return of water to be pumped into the North Hill zone.
Following the resolution of the immediate emergency, The City needed to understand the condition of the rest of the feedermain, to confirm if there were any other vulnerabilities that required immediate attention and provide assurance that the feedermain would continue to provide essential service.
Duane says, “As the ruptured pipe was being repaired, electromagnetic inspections were performed upstream and downstream of the rupture. These inspections detected additional distressed pipe sections downstream of the rupture.” Based on the data collected and subsequent inspections, The City decided to complete additional repairs in three phases.
Associated was also responsible for identifying field coordinates for each repair location in all three repair phases. This was a vital first step as accuracy was paramount, because the contractors were already mobilized on-site and ready to excavate.
Associated’s team provided continuous surveillance of the pipe exposure process. This included verifying the distress noted by the electromagnetic inspection. Data collection followed and included observations and measurements of the in-situ pipe and soil conditions.
Strong collaboration between Associated, City of Calgary, subconsultants, and contractors were key to success
Duane explains, “This information guided the forensic analyses The City tasked Associated Engineering to carry out and was also used to validate the corresponding results from the electromagnetic inspections.” As a result of our on-site attention, coordination, and responsiveness, the contractors sustained their productivity, while valuable forensic data was collected.
In addition to the original rupture, the electromagnetic inspection identified five distressed pipe segments that needed immediate attention. To expedite the repairs, The City retained three contractors to undertake the work on a 24 hours per day, 7 days a week basis. Associated provided construction engineering support for all five segments. In addition, urgent repairs by concrete encasement were needed in 21 locations along the 1,950 millimetre pipe, and planning and design work was expedited in the summer.
Associated was supported by subconsultants, Tronnes Geomatics, Thurber Engineering, and Corrpro Canada, and supported the work of Whissell Contracting, Volker Stevin, LBCO Contracting, and Graham Construction & Engineering, and Xylem (Pure Technologies).
Associated’s key personnel included Duane Strayer, Craig Pass, Jacqueline Le, Lee Hang-Liu, Joe Lisella, Joe White, Timothy Nesher, Nony Cuppen, Chris Hiscott, Eliman Camara, and Jiayu Li.
Last week in Edmonton at the 28th edition of the annual Consulting Engineers of Alberta Showcase Awards Gala, we’re proud to share that Associated Engineering received multiple honours for projects completed in Alberta and Canada-wide! Congratulations to our team members, our clients, and project partners for their efforts and successful demonstrations of technical excellence and teamwork in delivering projects benefiting our local communities.
Award of Excellence in the Studies, Software and Special Services category for the Coast-to-Coast Understanding Infrastructure Maintenance Needs project for Parks Canada
Associated Engineering played a transformative role in modernizing asset management for Parks Canada Agency, who oversee 18,000 assets valued at 28 billion dollars. Leveraging innovative data-driven methodologies and working closely with the agency’s Service Management branch, Associated evaluated hundreds of assets across Park’s diverse portfolio in remote and challenging areas across Canada. Associated developed a custom asset information system which integrates condition, maintenance, energy, climate risk, and code information. The results from this project provides Parks Canada with the integrated information required to better enable decision making and investment planning.
Award of Merit in the Community Outreach and In-House Initiatives category for Building Community Capacity in Duncan First Nation
Duncan First Nation’s care and creative vision, through the Heavy Equipment Operator Training Program, enabled their community members to attain new skills and secure employment, all the while upgrading infrastructure and boosting morale in the community. Associated Engineering collaboratively worked along side Duncan First Nation to assist with funding applications, reports, designs, and construction support services. Together, Duncan First Nation and Associated Engineering set in motion a model that other communities can adopt and adapt to their own needs.
Award of Merit in the Project Management category for Design-Build Innovation and Collaborative Project Management of the West Calgary Ring Road
The delivery of the West Calgary Ring Road project, a vital transportation initiative in Alberta, exemplifies design-build innovation and collaborative project management. Built in two segments, the project includes eight kilometres of the new Stoney Trail, 27 bridges including four service interchanges, as well as the full reconstruction of five kilometers of the TransCanada Highway. As the Owner’s Engineer, Associated Engineering’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and delivering value for money resulted in quantifiable cost savings of over 30 million dollars. Innovative project management strategies helped achieve minimal claims, exceptional safety, and on-time delivery, setting new benchmarks for excellence.
Also, Associated Engineering played a key role as designers on the 99 Avenue Sanitary Trunk Bypass Project that received an Award of Excellence. Learn more about our important contributions and leadership on this infrastructure project in Edmonton, here.
Congratulations to all of the incredibly talented students who showcased their innovative ideas in the latest University of Alberta Capstone Design Competition in Civil and Environmental Engineering! This year’s event was sponsored by Associated Engineering and was held in the Donadeo Innovation Centre for Engineering this past Monday. Chad Maki (General Manager, Alberta North) and Jessica Gagne (Technical Specialist, Bridges) arranged and supported our sponsorship with Dr. Scott Alexander (ATS Associate Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering) and were in attendance to present the winners’ prizes.
Four teams made presentations to the audience on their preferred approach to repurposing Edmonton’s Low Level Bridge, which is nearing the end of its service life. The $1,000 Award of Excellence was won by the team of Kyle Crooymans, Hudson Chang, Renee Penetrante, Beverly Smetaniuk, and Sofi Lester. The 2nd place team received the Award of Merit prize of $500.
The 99th Avenue Sanitary Trunk Sewer has been a critical component of the City of Edmonton‘s wastewater collection system since the 1970s. The 1.1 kilometre long sanitary trunk sewer is located approximately 30 metres below ground and serves a crucial role in conveying combined sanitary flows from the city’s west end through residential and commercial areas in the West Jasper Place neighbourhood. Over the decades, exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas and natural wear led to significant degradation of the sewer.
EPCOR Utilities manages the City of Edmonton’s wastewater and water systems. Recognizing the urgency of addressing the deteriorating condition of the sewer to prevent potential service disruptions, EPCOR retained Shanghai Construction Group, with Associated on their team, to construct Phase 1 of the project.
The primary objective of the project was to rehabilitate the existing trunk sewer to restore its structural integrity and enhance its capacity to handle future wastewater flows. This included the construction of a new 1.6 kilometre bypass sewer using advanced microtunneling technology, to divert flows during the rehabilitation process, and provide additional capacity for future development.
With the sewer’s location in a densely populated urban area, it was essential to minimize disruptions to the community and ensure the safety of residents and workers. Significant technical challenges included complex geological conditions, deep tunnel alignments, and proximity to existing infrastructure and environmentally sensitive areas. EPCOR and project partners devoted considerable time and resources to developing a comprehensive plan that would address the project’s technical, logistical, and community-related challenges. To minimize community impact, the project was delivered in two stages spanning three years and incorporated proactive community engagement.
One of the most significant challenges of the project was selecting an appropriate alignment for the bypass sewer. We conducted extensive geotechnical investigations to understand the soil conditions along the proposed alignments. This involved drilling numerous boreholes and conducting soil tests to assess the composition and stability of the ground at various depths.
This assessment showed a number of challenging conditions for the tunnelling to traverse. This includes rafted bedrock, sand seams, with boulder fields all within the dense clay till.
Employing advanced construction techniques were critical to addressing technical challenges and the success of the project. One key decision was selecting microtunneling as the preferred construction methodology. Microtunneling allowed for the installation of underground pipelines with minimal surface disruption. This was particularly important for this project, given the depth of the tunnel and the proximity to existing infrastructure. Significant secant structures were constructed in order to reach the depth needed for the installations.
A significant portion of the project was located within the North Saskatchewan River Valley, one of Edmonton’s most environmentally sensitive areas. The river valley is not only a vital ecological corridor, but also a cherished natural asset, providing habitat for wildlife, as well as recreational spaces. The project team implemented rigorous environmental protection measures. Construction activities were carefully planned and executed to minimize disruption to the natural environment, particularly within the river valley. Special attention was given to preserving the integrity of the existing landscape, and the overall ecological balance of the area.
The Sanitary Trunk Bypass not only enhances the resilience of Edmonton’s wastewater system, but also sets a new standard for considerations for long-term resiliency of new infrastructure.
Our team supported our client, Shanghai Construction Group, with the complex design components of the works left which included the hand tunnel connections, manhole structures, and inflow bypass and abandonment plans. With the support of our survey team, a 974 metre microtunnel drive was successfully completed with the boring machine reaching its target within 150 millimetres at the end, which is an amazing achievement.
Associated’s team was led by Jason Lueke and included Chris Lamont, Sam Saunders, Ryan Krausher, Dusanka Stevanovic, Caitlin Lou, and Greg Walker.
Stay tuned for our work as the Design Build Engineering Lead working with Shanghai Construction for the rehabilitation work of the existing tunnel that is currently under construction.
Constructed over a century ago on the Red River between Winnipeg and Lake Winnipeg, the St. Andrews Lock and Dam is the only remaining Caméré moveable dam in the world. In 1990, it was declared a Canadian National Historic Site. Later, the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering recognized the structure as a National Historic Civil Engineering Site.
The location holds significant meaning to the local Indigenous Peoples and is known as Kenosewun, derived from a Cree word meaning “there are many fishes”. The Lockport area is located within Treaty One territory, the homeland of the Red River Métis, and near the former location of St. Peter’s Band Reserve (a predecessor to Peguis First Nation). For residents of the nearby Town of Lockport, the St. Andrews Lock and Dam is a major tourist attraction and a vital highway transportation link.
Following an inspection that concluded the main span of the bridge deck had to be replaced, Public Services and Procurement Canada retained Associated Engineering to complete the work, with a requirement to retain the structure’s historical integrity. Our multi-disciplinary team comprised structural, civil, transportation planning, electrical, geotechnical, and hydrotechnical engineering disciplines, as well as environmental experts, archaeologists, heritage architects, metallurgical specialists, and cost consultants.
We also engaged with many interested stakeholders, including Federal, Provincial, and Municipal government agencies, Indigenous Rights Holders, environmentalists, heritage organizations, and the citizens and businesses of Lockport and Rural Municipalities of St. Andrews and St. Clements.
The work took place during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, with restrictions that prevented in-person meetings and collaboration, which made relationship-building more challenging
The upgrades included broadening and strengthening the structure’s bridge surface, which can now accommodate heavier vehicles. Project Manager, Stephen Chiasson, tells us, “The structural and technical complexity of the project was unique. We needed to analyze the existing structure, considering material properties from a century ago, and how the structure was configured. This understanding was key to developing an appropriate design to rehabilitate, strengthen, and widen the structure.” The bridge also had to remain open throughout the multi-year construction phase for commercial, residential, and pedestrian traffic.
Associated Engineering played a key role in identifying environmental concerns that had not been included in the original scope. For example, the St. Andrews Lock and Dam is the nesting site of threatened bird species. The project team decided to net the key features of the structure known for nesting, which was a major and complex undertaking, and built alternate breeding structures.
After a significant archaeological discovery – the burial grounds of Indigenous ancestors, Associated Engineering brought in an archaeologist with expertise in the significance of the area, who was highly respected by the Indigenous Rights Holders. The project team supported the Federal government in developing a solution in the spirit of collaboration, transparency, and reconciliation.
“Significant improvements were made to safeguard cyclists and pedestrians, including people with disabilities. The railings to assist the visually impaired were developed in consultation with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind.”
Despite the project’s complexity, the work was completed on time and on budget. Throughout the project, the team addressed concerns about bridge closures, environmental impacts, damage to heritage property, and many other issues. Virtual town hall meetings and education initiatives kept the public well informed.
It is estimated that the rehabilitation extends the life of the St. Andrews Lock and Dam another 50 years.
In 2024, the St. Andrews Lock and Dam project was recognized with a Team Achievement Award by Engineers Geoscientists Manitoba, as well as an Award of Merit by the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Manitoba.
Regulatory and environmental requirements for public infrastructure projects have become increasingly complex. At Associated, we respond to these challenges by collaborating with our clients and stakeholders to truly understand issues and complexities, and then developing value-added, effective solutions that address our clients’ goals, respond to the needs of stakeholders and the community, and protect the environment. Two recent projects in Alberta highlight our approach.
Edmonton/Strathcona County Footbridge
This new bridge over the North Saskatchewan River will connect the City of Edmonton and Strathcona County. Associated Engineering was engaged to undertake the concept planning, feasibility, preliminary design, detailed design, construction, and post-construction services, including all environmental assessments and permits.
Sarina Loots, Specialist, Regulatory Advisor, explains, “We knew the project would require major federal, provincial and municipal environmental permits. Thus, we took a proactive approach and started on the assessments, reporting, and communications with regulatory agencies two years before construction began.”
A large fish habitat offsetting area was required (three times the berm footprint, a 3:10 compensation). The in-river berms required a temporary footprint of 7,000 square metres; therefore, the project was required to offset (plant/enhance/build/develop) an area of over 20,000 square metres.
This was due to increased requirements under the Fisheries Act from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), and the future expectation that Lake Sturgeon would be listed as threatened or endangered under the Species At Risk Act.
Suitable on-site habitat restoration areas were not available on the scale required. We partnered with Trout Unlimited (now Freshwater Conservation Canada) on offsetting planning and selected a site over 200 metres away from Edmonton.
Habitat within the restoration areas lack woody debris and consisted of simplified homogenous habitat, due to floodplain constriction at road crossings and channel incising. The area was selected due to the anticipated positive impact to bull trout.
“The offsetting included livestock/horse exclusion and several low-tech process-based restoration (LTPBR) treatments to increase the diversity of habitat types.”
The work included the installation of exclusion fence and 40 LTPBR structures, comprised of post-assisted log structures (PALs) and beaver dam analogues (BDAs).
LPTBR work sites are chosen due to the likelihood of the area supporting beavers in the future. The LPTBR techniques are used to promote beaver activity in the affected streams.
PALs and BDAs are hand built, nature-based, beaver mimicry techniques that can restore eroded streams. PALs mimic log jams in the channel and following high-flow events, result in more meandering channels. BDAs mimic beaver dams and result in a pool upstream of the BDA.
DFO was keen on this creative and innovative approach for fish habitat offsetting for a municipal infrastructure project. Edmonton/Strathcona County municipalities received a high-value, cost-effective and efficient offsetting project to fund.
The BDAs and PALs were constructed in summer 2024, and beavers have already moved into the newly installed habitat (BDAs) at Radiant Creek! The hope is that the beaver family will colonize the area and further improve the natural assets that will contribute to build resilience for drought and climate change.
Calgary Stormwater Ponds: Beaver Management Plan
The City of Calgary manages 171 wet stormwater ponds. Associated is frequently involved in pond design, upgrades, and maintenance inspection projects and our environmental specialists directly advise on mitigating environmental risks on storm pond maintenance projects administered by the City’s key maintenance contractor, KBL.
The City asked our environmental team to investigate all possible “coexistence” options for addressing beaver lodge conflicts at storm ponds and deliver a feasibility report to be used for decision support.
Sarina shares, “There is a growing desire to maintain storm ponds and preserve the infrastructure and downstream receiving environment. At the same time, being respectful of regional values around beaver welfare and making scientifically-defensible and informed decisions for beaver management at storm ponds.”
The team gathered information through a facilitated workshop with public interest groups and nearby municipalities, literature reviews, and collaborations and engagement with NGOs. Several options emerged that will be considered in future adaptive management at storm ponds with beaver lodges, two new coexistence options were selected for testing at two ponds planned for maintenance in 2025.
“We are providing ongoing decision support to The City, reporting on the feasibility of key solutions, and developing (adaptive) best management practices that will be tested and validated during upcoming pond maintenance projects.”
Today, many creative solutions are available that typically rely on intentional collaboration between biologists, hydrologists, engineers, and NGO partners. Projects with beaver conflicts should consider the full context of the issue and potential coexistence options for long-term sustainability.
The option of beaver relocation is also being actively studied and advocated by others in Alberta. Beaver relocation projects in Alberta are currently subject to some regulatory challenges and compliance inconsistencies. NGOs and beaver thought-leaders in the province are advocating for this option to be standardized, due to the restoration benefits that beavers provide.
Sarina tells us, “A hypothetical future might involve City of Calgary beavers relocated to a creek to support habitat restoration or a compensation project. If beavers colonize areas with establishedBDAs, they can continue to create ecological value, long after the manual human-maintenance schedule of installed structures.”
Our key personnel on the Edmonton-Strathcona project and environmental tasks are Chris Pyra, Sarina Loots, Erica Graham, Dean Foster, Richard Simpson, Christine Head, Deanna Joly, Jessica Eaton, Krish Purohit, Robert Mitchell, Wallace La, Akinbola George, Arlette Fernandez, and Michael Paulsen.
On the Beaver Management Plan for the City of Calgary, our key personnel are Sarina Loots, Stephanie Findlay, Cole Burns, Keenan Rudichuk, Richard Simpson, Terri France, Krish Purohit, Robert Mitchell, Twyla Kowalczyk, and Anne Godlewski.
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