The City of Fernie has submitted a formal response to the Province following a wastewater compliance inspection report that has been referred for potential administrative penalties.
The submission outlines actions already underway to address the inspection findings, along with longer-term planning aimed at achieving full regulatory compliance. The wastewater system has faced increasing pressure in recent years, particularly during extreme weather events that can impact capacity and performance.
According to the City, protecting public health and the environment remains a priority as it works through compliance requirements under the Municipal Wastewater Regulation. Current efforts include improved flow monitoring, continued progress toward regulatory registration, and ongoing investment in environmental studies, system monitoring, and engineering design.
Over the past year, staff have focused on stabilizing operations within the existing system. Maintenance work has included desludging lagoons, replacing aeration diffusers, and repairing key equipment, with the goal of restoring treatment performance while long-term solutions are developed.
In October 2025, the City submitted an application for full-time river discharge under provincial regulations. The application includes a five-step upgrade plan intended to bring the system into alignment with provincial and federal standards.
The proposed upgrades include improvements to the aeration system and alum dosing processes, conversion of two lagoons to partially aerated cells to address phosphorus re-release and enhance treatment capacity, and installation of submerged attached growth reactor cells to reduce ammonia levels. Additional infrastructure work includes replacing the Riverside lift station to eliminate overflow bypasses and installing a new effluent pump station with a relocated outfall to a higher-flow section of the river.
The City estimates the total cost of these upgrades at approximately $40 million, with completion anticipated by 2029.
The transition to full compliance under the Municipal Wastewater Regulation remains ongoing and requires continued coordination with provincial regulators. A final decision on administrative penalties related to the inspection report has not yet been issued.
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