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By KYLE MULLIN
For The Daily Gleaner

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Stantec engineers say they see opportunities for environmentally friendly innovation in what the rest of us take for granted.

Enlarge Photo

Stephen MacGillivray

Dean Mullin, practice leader with Stantec’s Fredericton branch, shows a blueprint for an industrial facility that will use natural light. Stantec is also developing a process for wells which will improve their production and extend their lifespan.

"Our firm is focused on bringing sustainable solutions to our clients," said Dean Mullin, practice leader at the company's Fredericton branch.

"This means that energy efficiency, prudent use of materials for construction and minimal impact on the environment are common objectives for all our projects. This focus brings benefits, both financial and moral, to our clients."

On a national level, the company has gained expertise in natural lighting by designing special fixtures in airports and public buildings.

But locally, the firm has narrowed its focus on other green-themed projects, such as the reconstruction of fuel storage facilities at the University of New Brunswick to better guard against oil spills, or the wellfield rehabilitation program that it offers to the City of Fredericton.

"This service enhances the productivity of municipal wells and avoids the cost and environmental impact of new well drilling," Mullin said.

Its first step involves pumping cleaning agents into wells to remove biofouling - the formation of biofilms on the screen surface which can slow the water flow from those wells by up to 90 per cent.

To prevent biofouling, a team of Stantec engineers went to three different wells in Fredericton to hone the rehabilitation program. The project involved pumping tests and video inspections to gauge the wells' pre-treatment capabilities.

Then the team pumped heated fluids into the wells to remove the biofouling buildup. Follow-up pumping tests and video inspections showed that the wells' capacity had quadrupled.

"By increasing the amount of water available from individual wells, peak water demand can be satisfied with fewer wells overall," Mullin said. "This reduces cost, as wells are much more expensive to install than ongoing regeneration."

He said replacing them can cost as much as $500,000 and take as long as three years.

"By maintaining wells, their lifespan is extended," he said. "This reduces the need for new wells, which reduces the use of energy and material ... This is a more sustainable use of resources, providing benefits to the community."

Forward Thinking is a Thursday feature that explores research and development, as well as new technologies in our community. Send your comments and story ideas to news@dailygleaner.com.