Dawson Creek Organic Residual Management

In 2023, the City of Dawson Creek faced two concurrent challenges that were transformed into opportunities. First, following the construction of the South Dawson Reservoir west of the City, the adjacent field, which had been used for equipment staging and fill disposition, had remained in a fallow state for several years. Second, various organic residuals, including biosolids, compost, and granular activated carbon (a water treatment residual) had accumulated and required removal from their respective systems and management.

Recognizing the opportunity to address both challenges through an integrated solution, SYLVIS together with the City’s wastewater consultant, Urban Systems, characterized the organic residuals, confirmed compliance of the materials with provincial regulations, and developed a comprehensive plan for field improvement and organic residuals management.

A total of 3,800 wet tonnes of biosolids, 485 wet tonnes of compost, and 590 wet tonnes of granular activated carbon were land applied to the 30-hectare field. This application improved soil organic matter and fertility, facilitating the rehabilitation of the marginal land. Following the land application, the field was successfully planted to hay, restoring the site to productive agricultural use.

SYLVIS provided project management and qualified professional support for material transport, operational management, and field improvement activities. SYLVIS was on-site to supervise loading and deliveries, develop and modify the field plan for land application of residuals, interface with the City, neighbours, and other stakeholders, and confirm adherence to regulatory requirements and best practices.

This project is a prime example of SYLVIS’s expertise in integrated residuals management and land rehabilitation, demonstrating how innovative planning and beneficial reuse can simultaneously address municipal challenges and restore underutilized land.