Modernizing Canada’s Lagoon Infrastructure

Project Overview

This project is developing an innovative, low-energy, and climate-resilient nanobubble-assisted treatment platform to improve the performance of lagoon-based wastewater systems across Canada. The approach combines a cold-tolerant native algal-bacterial consortium, air nanobubble-assisted biological treatment, biodegradable coagulation, pilot-scale validation using real wastewater, and predictive modeling to support future implementation. The project is designed to help lagoon systems achieve better nutrient and organic matter removal while improving treatment reliability under Canadian operating conditions.

Why This Matters

Lagoon systems are widely used in Canada, especially in small, rural, remote, and northern communities, because they are affordable and simple to operate. However, many lagoons face major challenges during cold seasons and seasonal transitions, including poor nutrient removal, phosphorus release, algal bloom risks, and difficulty meeting effluent requirements. This project addresses those challenges with a more sustainable and practical upgrade pathway that can strengthen wastewater treatment performance, protect downstream waters, and support climate resilience.

Key Innovations

Current Status

The project is currently at an advanced development and pre-pilot stage. It has received funding from the Canada Water Agency and is now moving forward through a series of connected research, optimization, and validation activities. Ongoing work includes laboratory enrichment of a cold-tolerant native algal-bacterial consortium to support nutrient and organic matter removal under low-temperature conditions, as well as optimization of nanobubble-assisted biological treatment and nanobubble-assisted coagulation. The nanobubble-assisted coagulation component, which focuses on precipitating toxic cyanobacteria, has already led to a manuscript that is currently under peer review. The project team is also preparing for pilot-scale testing with real municipal wastewater by developing the treatment process design, monitoring plan, and collaboration framework with pilot-testing partners. In parallel, a scalable 3D treatment model is being developed to assess how the technology may perform under different lagoon designs, climate conditions, flow regimes, and seasonal operating scenarios. Overall, the project has moved well beyond the conceptual stage. It is actively being developed and optimized, with a clear path toward pilot-scale validation and future field implementation.

Expected Impact

The project is expected to improve lagoon effluent quality by enhancing removal of nutrients, organic matter, and algal bloom-forming biomass under realistic Canadian conditions. It is also designed to reduce energy and chemical demand, support nutrient recovery and possible biomass reuse, and provide a scalable treatment approach for small, rural, remote, and northern communities. Over time, the project aims to support broader adoption of sustainable lagoon upgrades across Canada and contribute to stronger freshwater protection and climate resilience.

Partnerships

This project is led by Queen’s University in collaboration with Fleming College’s Centre for Advancement of Water and Wastewater Technologies (CAWT). The project also involves engagement with municipal partners and community stakeholders to support wastewater sampling, pilot validation, modeling, and future implementation.