The municipality has two sewer systems - one in the community of Tusket and the other in the community of West Pubnico.
At the West Pubnico sewer treatment plant, a full-time Waste Water Operator is on-site to answer any of your questions or concerns.
Morgan Churchill - Wastewater Operator
Phone: (902) 648-4043
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Tusket Wastewater System
In 2005 a sewer system was installed in the Tusket area. It has 131 connections for both residential and commercial properties. Residents who are connected to this sewer system are billed annually on their tax bills.
Wastewater is collected on individual properties in septic tanks, which provide primary treatment and settling of solids. Effluent from the centre layer of the septic tank is filtered and either flows by gravity or is pumped to the collection main located on the shoulder of the road.
All the effluent flows through the collection system and ends up at the pump station located next to Carl’s Store, from there it is pumped up to the treatment plant located on Courthouse Road.
The pump station houses two pumps that alternate pumping to the treatment plant unless there is a high level, and then they both pump at the same time to keep up with the high flow (this can happen during heavy rains).
The effluent then enters the Treatment Plant on the western side of the treatment building into the recirculation tank located under the building, which holds 180,000 Litres. From here, eight pumps located in four risers pump the effluent to four re-circulating biological sand filter cells (RSF).
The Re-circulating Sand Filter (RSF) is constructed of perforated pipe placed in pea gravel over the sand media. The wastewater is evenly dosed over the surface of the sand media and slowly percolates through the gravel and sand.
A collection system beneath the sand filters directs the filtered effluent by gravity back to the recirculation tank, at which point it flows through a re-circulating splitter valve that is set to divert 80% of the flow back into the recirculation tank and 20% to an ultraviolet disinfection system.
Finally, the treated water runs through a flume, where a flow meter measures the amount of water leaving the plant. This information is reported back to the Department of Environment every three months, along with lab testing results from the treated effluent.
Tusket Municipal Sewer – questions and maintenance contact: Property Inspection and Public Works at (902)648-2623 or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Preventative Maintenance for Homes
West Pubnico Wastewater System
The Municipality of the District of Argyle owns and operates a sanitary sewage collection and treatment system in the community of West Pubnico, Nova Scotia.
The system was originally constructed in 1978, and since that time has undergone a number of upgrades and extensions. The collection system currently consists of approximately 14,300 metres (m) of 200 millimetres (mm) diameter gravity sewer and 150 m of 250 mm diameter gravity sewer.
The system also contains twelve (12) duplex Flygt submersible pumping stations, complete with approximately 5,100 m of sewage force main. All gravity sewers and force mains in the system are constructed of PVC plastic piping, and all manholes are built from pre-cast concrete.
West Pubnico’s sewage treatment plant originally consisted of two (2) cell aerated lagoon, which was constructed in 1979. Construction began on May 17, 2010, to upgrade the sewage treatment plant and the facility began treating wastewater on May 27, 2011.
The system provides central sanitary sewage collection service to approximately 615 residential and commercial connections, which equates to an approximate serviced population of 1,700 people.
pdf West Pubnico Wastewater Treatment Facility Brochure (1.86 MB)
Preventive Maintenance for Homes
There are a number of dos and don’ts that will help ensure long life and minimal maintenance for our system. As a general rule, nothing should be disposed into any wastewater system that hasn’t first been ingested, other than toilet tissue, mild detergents, and wash water. Here are some additional guidelines:
DON’T flush dangerous and damaging substances into your wastewater treatment system. Do not flush:
- Pharmaceuticals
- An excessive amount of bath or body oils
- Water softener backwash
- Flammable or toxic products
- Household cleaners, especially rug cleaners
- Chlorine bleach, chlorides, and pool or spa products
DON’T use special additives that are touted to enhance the performance of your tank or system. The natural microorganisms that grow in our system generate their own enzymes that are sufficient for breaking down and digesting nutrients in the wastewater.
DON’T ignore leaky plumbing fixtures; repair them. A leaky toilet can waste up to 2,000 gallons of water in a single day. That’s 10-20 times more water than a household’s typical daily usage. Leaky plumbing waste natural resources, and overload our system.
DO collect grease in a container and dispose of it with your trash. Compost scraps or dispose of them with your trash. Food by-products accelerate the need for septage pumping and increase maintenance.
DO conserve water:
- Take shorter showers or baths
- Don’t let the water run unnecessarily while brushing teeth or washing hands
- Wash dishes and clothes when you have a full load
- Use water-saving devices on faucets and shower heads
- When replacing old toilets, buy low-flush models
DON’T dig without knowing the location of your wastewater treatment system. But easily removable items, such as birdbaths, are OK to place on top of your system.
DON’T drive over your tank or any buried components in your system unless it’s been equipped with a special traffic lid. If the system is subject to possible traffic, put up a barricade or a row of shrubs.
DO use substitutes for household hazardous waste. Replace the following hazardous products with products that are less environmentally harmful
- Ammonia-based cleaners: Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge. For windows, use a solution of 2 tbsp. White vinegar to 1 qt. water
- Disinfectants: Use borax ½ cup in a gallon of water
- Drain decloggers: Use a plunger or metal snake, or remove and clean trap
- Scouring cleaners & powders: Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge, or add 4 tbsp. Baking soda to 1 qt. warm water
- Toilet cleaners: Sprinkle on baking soda or Bon Ami
- Laundry detergents: Choose one with a zero phosphate content or use soap flakes with 1/3 cup of washing soda
DON’T enter your tank. Any work to the tank is done by the Municipality. Gases that can be generated in the tank and/or oxygen depletion can be fatal
Residents are reminded that sump pumps, rain gutters and foundation drains are NOT permitted to be connected to the Sewer System.
Wedgeport Wastewater System
The Wedgeport Waste Water District was established in 2016 to allow for Waste Water improvement projects, being funded by federal, provincial and municipal governments. In recent years, it became clear that the community was in need of improved wastewater operations to protect the community and surrounding environment. Detailed site reviews and studies revealed that individual on-site sewer replacements would be more effective than investing in a central sewer system.
Since 2016 the Municipality of Argyle has applied twice for federal and provincial funding to support the community with improving the wastewater management. A new Waste Water Management District was established in 2016 and extended in 2018 to cover the area from the Cape Wharf Road down to the Jacquard Road, including most of the main side roads. The first program included the upgrade of 42 individual properties, which were finished in 2019.
Current Annual Operating Fee: $175 (reviewed annually)
Waste Water Alarm emergency line: 902-648-4442