Operation and Maintenance Plan for Canadian Forces
Station Alert
Version 1.2
Created March 2009
Effective till November 2014
Project # 2008-1040
Prepared for:
Ken Simonite, P.Eng.
Staff Officer Environment
A4 Construction Engineering
1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters
National Defence
PO Box 17000 Stn Forces
Winnipeg Manitoba R3J 3Y5
Prepared by:
FSC Architects & Engineers
4910 53 Street
Yellowknife, NT
X1A 2P4
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PLAN FOR CFS ALERT
MARCH 28, 2009
Table of Contents
1 Introduction.............................................................................................................. 3
1.1 Information of the Licensee ................................................................................. 3
1.2 Information of 24 Hour Contact ........................................................................... 3
1.3 General Description of the Property .................................................................... 3
2 Operation and Maintenance Protocols Water Intake ............................................. 4
3 Operation and Maintenance Protocols Garbage Disposal .................................... 5
4 Operation and Maintenance Protocols Sewage Treatment................................... 6
Appendix A: Maps ............................................................................................................ 7
FSC ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS 2
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PLAN FOR CFS ALERT
MARCH 28, 2009
1 Introduction
Canadian Forces Station (CFS) Alert is situated
on the north-eastern tip of Ellesmere Island;
approximately 817 kilometres from the
geographic North Pole at coordinates
(Lat/Long) 82°28' N, 62°30' W. (UTM)
Easting 552375.7996584666,
Northing 6874583.726844844
(Map sheet number 120E05)
CFS Alert has been in continuous operations as
part of the Canadian Military since September
1958 after having been established as a
weather station in 1950.
1.1 INFORMATION OF THE LICENSEE
Col R.C. Baker
Director A4 Construction Engineering
1 Canadian Air Division Headquarters
Department of National Defence
PO Box 17000 Stn Forces
Winnipeg Manitoba R3J 3Y5
1.2 INFORMATION OF 24 HOUR CONTACT
Alert Commanding Officer
1.3 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE
PROPERTY
Canadian Forces Station Alert is a remotely
operated base with 16 serviced buildings (with water
and sewer), and a fluctuating staff compliment of approximately 74 personnel, although there can be as
many as 400 on site during exercises.
The base is totally isolated from the outside world. Air transport is the only way to and from the base.
Every year, the Canadian Air Force makes about 225 Hercules flights to Alert to bring in approximately
two million litres of fuel and 300 tonnes of cargo.
FSC ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PLAN FOR CFS ALERT
MARCH 28, 2009
2 Operation and Maintenance Protocols Water Intake
Potable water for the station is pumped four kilometres from Dumbell Lake in an above ground insulated
high-density polyethylene water line with a smaller recirculating water line. The three water intake points
in Dumbell Lake are positioned well below the thick ice that forms on the lake. The water is chlorinated
and stored in 2 - 50,000-gallon storage tanks in the water building, and the water is distributed above
ground throughout the station with an independent piped recirculating system.
Sketch L-A28-Y304-121006 shows the water intake, and pumphouse.
Sketch FSC C1 shows water piping throughout the station.
The purpose of operation and maintenance for this system is to maintain continuous operation, prolong
system life, and to prevent freezing.
Daily Check pumps, check and record temperature and water volumes.
Monthly Exercise valves
Report water volumes.
Annually Inspect in detail.
FSC ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PLAN FOR CFS ALERT
MARCH 28, 2009
3 Operation and Maintenance Protocols Garbage Disposal
There are many animals around the station, but garbage is strictly managed to prevent animals from
eating any waste. Personnel receive an orientation program each time they come to the station.
Sketch NRC Figure 3 shows the location of the landfills. There are four landfill sites:
a. The Battery Dump;
b. The Millionaire's Dump;
c. The Main Station Landfill; and
d. Dump 3.
Garbage is collected daily in sealed containers and plastic bags. All combustible garbage is taken to the
incinerator building and incinerated as required.
Once cool, only ashes and clinker are disposed in the Main Station Landfill. This landfill site was
designed to manage surface water runoff and eliminate surface and subsurface contamination. Surface
water that appears outside the disposal area is routed around the berms. The dump is covered as
time/equipment is available.
Millionaire’s Dump is used for larger metals and bulky wastes.
Dump 3 contains old vehicle parts, wire, and other metallic objects.
There is a recycling program for cans, bottles, and hazardous materials such as batteries. All recyclable
materials are shipped to Trenton, Ontario for further processing.
Waste oils and lubricants are used in the waste oil burner to heat the garage.
Daily Collect and secure all combustible wastes.
Collect, secure and store recyclable materials.
As required Incinerate combustible wastes and dispose ashes in the landfill in the
designated area.
Collect and secure bulk metals, dispose in the landfill in a designated area.
Ship collected recyclable materials to Trenton.
Perform maintenance on the incinerator as per manufacturers instructions.
Repair surface water diversion berms and ditches (summer)
Monthly Perform maintenance on the incinerator as per manufacturers instructions.
Report waste volumes.
Annually Cover landfilled materials with a layer of gravel
FSC ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PLAN FOR CFS ALERT
MARCH 28, 2009
4 Operation and Maintenance Protocols Sewage Treatment
The station is served with an insulated high-density polyethylene gravity sewer that collects sewage from
the building and discharges into an overland flow treatment area.
Sketch FSC C1 shows the sewer piping throughout the station
Sketch L-A28-9305-413 shows the overland flow treatment area.
In 2010, it is proposed to upgrade this overland treatment system as shown on Sketch FSC C1 & C2.
Effluent from the treatment area discharges into Parr Inlet.
During the winter, the discharged sewage is stored as ice in the upper portion of the treatment area.
The Canadian Wildlife Service undertakes an annual avian study by trapping birds attracted to the
th
wastewater particles in the upper portion of the treatment area. 2008 was the 25 anniversary of the
study. An unprecedented volume of data has been collected. The study is essential to understanding
high Arctic avian populations and the continuing effects of climate change.
The purpose of operation and maintenance for this system is to maintain continuous operation, prolong
system life, prevent freezing of the sewer lines and ensure the treatment area performs as intended.
Daily Check sewer lines, monitor temperatures.
As required Repair terraces, prevent channeling (summer)
Monthly Sampling of effluent, test for COD.
Report sewage volumes
Annually Report sampling results and sewage volumes.
In order to comply with the pending CCME Guidelines the following samples will be collected.
Characterization 2010/2011
Monthly (during periods Undertake on-site COD test with Hach Kit
of flow for the treated Report sewage volumes
effluent) Complete COD/cBOD relationship calculations.
Annually Report sampling results and sewage volumes
Routine Compliance Sampling (2012 and on)
Monthly Sampling effluent only during periods of flow
On-site analysis of COD by Hach kit.
Annually Quality assurance sampling if possible for COD/cBOD relationship using a
CAEAL approved laboratory.
Report sampling results and sewage volumes.
FSC ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE PLAN FOR CFS ALERT
MARCH 28, 2009
Appendix A: Maps
FSC ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS