Chester Launches New Environmental Technology

Residents in the Municipality of the District of Chester will benefit both economically and environmentally because of technology that was unveiled today, Feb. 7.

The municipality is the first in the province to purchase the Altinex dewatering truck that will reduce the dependence on septage lagoons, lower transportation costs, and create economic opportunities for local residents.

"I would like to congratulate the Municipality of the District of Chester for seizing the opportunity to invest in the Altinex dewatering truck," said Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour. "I look forward to the liquid waste industry following Chester's lead to improve their septage handling technology."

The truck pumps the septic system and separates the liquids from the solids. The liquid portion is then put back into the septic system, which reduces the threat of septic system failure. The solid portion may be composted and used in landscaping, land reclamation, silviculture and the creation of biofuels.

Septic pumpers using the Altinex dewatering truck technology will make fewer trips to and from discharge locations because the truck can handle 10 times more septage than the current trucks. This will result in savings of about 80 per cent on fuel annually, and a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.

"We are proud to be the first municipality in the province to employ this new technology," said Allen Webber, Warden of the Municipality of the District of Chester. "With financial assistance from the Government's Septage Treatment Facility Assistance Program, we have been able to invest in this Nova Scotian first."

The government's four year, $2.75 million Septage Treatment Facility Assistance Program offers assistance to septage lagoon operators to upgrade facilities or construct replacement facilities, and technology to meet new guidelines for improved environmental handling of septage materials.

The Altinex dewatering truck will improve the Municipality of the District of Chester's septage technology and help them to meet the revised Guidelines for the Handling, Treatment and Disposal of Septage.

The truck, developed in Norway, needed to be re-fitted on North American chassis and bodies. Lunenburg-based company, ABCO Industries Ltd., has made the adaptations for this technology to be operational in Nova Scotia.

"We commend the Municipality of the District of Chester for taking the initiative in this new to Nova Scotia technology and are very pleased to have been part of this project," said John Meisner, president of ABCO Industries Ltd. "The units fit in very well with our environmental equipment line and we hope that Chester's investment results in a requirement for more of these units that we could produce at ABCO."

The Altinex De-watering Truck will begin operation in March. For more information on the technology or the government's Septage Treatment Facility Assistance Program visit, www.gov.ns.ca/enla/water/septageassitanceprogram.asp