Blog #2: Meeting with the Client and Touring Environmental Lab
Jan 25th, 2012 by mattwong
Meeting With Andrew Rushmere – UBC Farm
Date: January 19, 2012
Our whole team drove to the UBC Farm to discuss the client’s expectations for the project. Mr. Rushmere was very enthusiastic about the project and had a clear idea for what he expected from our group. He explained that he wanted us to test for all nutrients and any particulate in the wastewater in the time we had to execute this task. The reason for these tests is to determine if the wastewater is suitable for use at the UBC Farm. This project is one of many small student-based projects that will help prepare for the new farm centre, which is to start construction by 2013. The regulations on reclaimed wastewater (after going through a filtration system) are very strict and Mr. Rushmere is trying to show that the regulations could be revised. Currently the reclaimed water from the Solar Aquatic System is only being used to flush the toilets and water the plants in the CIRS Building, but is theoretically suitable for irrigation and possibly consumption.
Meeting With Paula Parkinson – Environmental Laboratories
Date: January 23, 2012
Our meeting with Ms Parkinson revealed that along with the tests for nutrients, we should be running fecal coliform counts, BOD (biochemical oxygen demand), chlorine analysis, and salinity and pH tests. The complexity of these tests varies from performing an instantaneous BOD reading via a probe to growing fecal coliforms over a few days. The nutrient samples will be collect over the next month and preserved to be analyzed at the lab in one session. The wastewater will be ‘digested’ with acid and tested for the above contents/particulates.
Hi,
This is a great start!
Have you got a clear idea of exactly what is involved in each test? Will you need to order testing chemicals? Do you have a tentative schedule yet?
It will be interesting to see how much you are able to accomplish before Feb 27!
Keep up the good work!
Susan Nesbit