Notice of Intent to Make a Determination

Sweetgrass First Nation Wastewater System Upgrades - Public Comments invited

May 15, 2024 - Indigenous Services Canada must determine whether the proposed Sweetgrass First Nation Wastewater System Upgrades, to be located on Sweetgrass First Nation, is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, Indigenous Services Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination.

Written comments must be submitted by June 14, 2024 to:

Indigenous Services Canada
Alvin Hamilton Building, 1783 Hamilton Street
Regina, SK  S4P 2B6

Telephone: 306-581-3134
Email: isc-skenv@sac-isc.gc.ca

Proposed Project

Sweetgrass First Nation is proposing a wastewater system upgrade project that entails capacity upgrades to the existing lagoon, construction of a new sewage pumping station, and installation of connecting underground sewage force main and sanitary mains. Upgrades completed through this project will provide the community with adequate wastewater infrastructure capacity to support the community's current and future needs.

The lagoon expansion site is located immediately east of the existing lagoon, and will consist of constructing a new facultative lagoon complete with 2 primary cells and one storage cell. The existing lagoon will be retained to provide a post treatment storage area, which will aid with increasing evaporation losses, thereby reducing seasonal effluent releases. When effluent releases are required, standard O&M practices will apply to ensure effluent quality limits have been achieved prior to discharge. The construction of an access road will also be included with the lagoon expansion, re-routing the existing access road from the existing lagoon to the new primary cells.

The proposed sewage pumping station is located immediately north of the community's newly constructed water treatment plant. Construction activities would include excavation to base slab depth, followed by concrete works to the slabs and walls, backfill, and timber frame construction for the above grade portion of the building. Approximately 2,200 meters of sewage force main and 100 meters of sanitary sewer main will also be installed.

Erosion control measures will be implemented as required during construction, and disturbed ground after construction until adequate vegetative growth has established.

All anticipated waste generation from construction activities will be responsibly handled and disposed of to designated off-reserve facilities. Procedures will also be followed to limit the amounts of waste generator during construction, and mitigate any potential contamination pathways for petroleum products from on-site equipment.