“We are very proud as ‘The Wilderness City’ to showcase a LEED® certified structure that not only includes the building, but additionally the plant and processes. This wastewater treatment plant not only meets the goals of sustainability but delivers on environmental responsibility, energy efficiency, and innovative design and processes,” says Blake Poole, Dryden’s manager of public works.
Contributing to the LEED® certification is an in-floor heating system that draws heat from the treated effluent before it is discharged. Heat from the effluent is captured—heating the plant from the ground up. The result is less need for conventional forced air heating, reducing energy consumption, and saving the city substantial heating costs.
Windows are also designed to maximize daylight giving employees the most natural light, as well as reducing electricity use. Light fixtures are outfitted with specialized sensors to gauge how much light to give off, and recycled water is used throughout the plant processes. These design features, and many others, were incorporated to ultimately save natural resources and significantly reduce operating costs.
The plant’s creative design, however, doesn’t end with energy efficiency. The exterior was designed to look unique and architecturally interesting—not a typical design goal for wastewater treatment plants. Odour is minimized by covering treatment tanks, rather than the common open-air design. Odour is further reduced using bio-filters. These elements create a pleasant scene for pedestrians and residents.
“With the support of the City, we were able to explore and expand the boundaries of what is possible in wastewater treatment design,” says Eric Wiens, Stantec’s project manager and vice president. “This project demonstrates that given the opportunity, even a facility that treats a community’s waste can be both an environmental and aesthetic asset.”
About Dryden
Dryden is where the rugged beauty of Northwestern Ontario meets the bright lights of city life. It is a vibrant urban community surrounded by the unsurpassed beauty of the boreal forest, freshwater lakes, and spectacular vistas. It offers something for everyone—the perfect blend of opportunities to raise a family, launch a business or enjoy retirement. Dryden boasts one of the most dynamic economies in Northern Ontario.
About Stantec
We’re active members of the communities we serve. That’s why at Stantec, we always design with community in mind.
The Stantec community unites approximately 22,000 employees working in over 400 locations across six continents. Our work—engineering, architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, surveying, environmental sciences, project management, and project economics, from initial project concept and planning through design, construction, and commissioning—begins at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships. With a long-term commitment to the people and places we serve, Stantec has the unique ability to connect to projects on a personal level and advance the quality of life in communities across the globe. Stantec trades on the TSX and the NYSE under the symbol STN.
