Effluent Treatment

Waste water from the Lead and Zinc Operations is treated by liming in the Effluent Treatment Plant, which was commissioned in June 1981. Heavy metals are precipitated in reaction tanks and the solids separate in a 25-m thickener. Solids containing metal values, including zinc, lead, and cadmium, are recycled to the Zinc Operations and the treated, high-quality effluent is discharged to the Columbia River. The plant uses Cominco-developed technology and is a major component of the environmental protection measures in place at Trail Operations.

Seen below, The Effluent Treatment Plant treats contaminated plant and run-off water to produce clean water that is sent to the Columbia River and a sludge that is recycled in the plants for metal recovery.

Effluent Treatment Plant