Industry Tours: Co-op Refinery and Waste Water Treatment Plant

Erik Minty
WECC '96 Competitor

First stop was the Regina plant of the Consumers' Co-op Oil Refinery. This organization is as important to Saskatchewan as mountains are to B.C. (well, maybe not quite). It rose out of the Great Depression of the 1930's to become the world's first co-operative oil refinery, which meant that instead of relying on the big refineries (mostly in the U.S.), Saskatchewan farmers could own a stake in their own refinery.

With the Energy Crisis of the 1970's came a need for innovative ways of obtaining and processing fossil fuels, and the Co-op refineries led the way. Part of what has defined the existence of the refinery has been the need to adapt existing technologies to the realities of Saskatchewan climate. We were very sympathetic to the cold winters of Saskatchewan on this tour, to the point that we mostly stayed in the van the whole time.

Many of the problems their engineers have had to solve over the years are a result of equipment that has never heard of -40 degree weather, and just plain doesn't work.

Over at the waste water treatment plant, the unique geography of Regina again demonstrated itself to us. Regina, unlike most cities, is not situated on any major river. This makes sewage treatment both more essential, and more difficult. As was explained to us, in most cities where this is possible, "the solution to pollution is dilution." In other words, just dump the sewage into the river and let natural processes do the work. (I was shocked to return home and find out that Vancouver has only primary treatment at best.) With no major river, Regina must pass all of its sewage through a full three-stage treatment system.

Although it was smelly, and most of what was said went over my head (not being a chemical 'geer), it really was kind of interesting and both tours gave me an interesting perspective. Not to mention some words to help me fill up this newspaper.

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