CAMBRIDGE, Ontario, June 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On June 3, 2015, the City of North Battleford was presented with a 2015 CAMA Environment Award during the association's national conference in Jasper. The award recognizes the successful implementation of a Lystek biosolids management system at the City to replace its historical practice of landfilling.
"CAMA is pleased to recognize the administrative excellence demonstrated by the City of North Battleford for its efforts to convert biosolids into a commercially usable fertilizer," said Robert Hughes, president of the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators and Chief Administrative Officer for Stratford, PE. "North Battleford is a leader in Western Canada when it comes to using this new system."
CAMA's Environment Award, which was sponsored by Ravenhill Group Inc., recognizes the commitment of a municipality to environmentally sustainable governance, to protecting the environment and to combating climate change. Awards are granted to programs, projects or services that have made a significant and positive impact on the environment. Since Canada has a unique mixture of small and large communities, awards are granted according to population – for municipalities under 20,000, for those between 20,001 and 100,000 and for those over 100,000. Certificates of Merit may also be awarded.
The City began looking for a proper method to manage its biosolids in November 2007 and began to identify and study possible biosolids stabilizations processes. In January 2014, the City issued a request for proposals for an economical method of handling its biosolids.
After evaluating the submitted proposals, the Lystek system was chosen because it was affordable, compact enough to easily be retrofitted into the existing plant, and did not require additional staff to be hired or special skills to operate. A covered lagoon is used to store the liquid fertilizer, which is (CFIA) registered. There is also a revenue-sharing agreement with the City. North Battleford is the first municipality in Western Canada to adopt this innovative and proven system. An agreement to initiate the project was executed in February 2014 and the system started operating in December 2014, on budget and ahead of schedule.
BACKGROUNDER
Lystek International
Lystek International Inc. is an organic materials recovery firm that is helping municipalities and other generators reduce waste, costs, odors and greenhouse gas emissions through its innovative approach to biosolids and organics management. The multi-use Lystek system can be leveraged to optimize digesters and biological nutrient removal systems while also contributing to landfill diversion and agricultural sustainability. This is achieved by transforming non-hazardous, organic materials into nutrient-rich, federally-registered fertilizers and other, multi-purpose products.
City of North Battleford
The City of North Battleford is a fast-growing municipality situated on the shores of the North Saskatchewan River along the Yellowhead Highway between Saskatoon and Edmonton and is served by the CN Rail line. In 2014, this community of about 14,000 residents saw the value of building permits quadruple over the previous year. Its slogan, NB the BEST!, reflects its commitment to innovation, growth and enhancing the quality of life of residents and opportunity for business.