DCL Siemens Engineering Ltd. undertook an extensive evaluation of alternatives available to the Town of Westlock for upgrading of their wastewater treatment facilities. The alternatives investigated included:

1. Expansion of the existing facultative lagoon to meet current design standards and to provide a 12 month retention time and once per year effluent discharge to Wabash Creek.
2. Construction of an aerated lagoon with continuous discharge to the Pembina River by pumping via a 7.5 km long effluent pipeline. Both surface and static tube aeration were evaluated.
3. Construction of an aerated lagoon with seven month effluent storage and discharge twice per year to the Wabash Creek.

Although initially attempts were made to pursue Alternate 2 - aeration with effluent pipeline to the Pembina River, the Town eventually decided to construct a facultative lagoon expansion with provisions to incorporate aeration and proceed with Alternate 3 at such time as the Town's population grows beyond 7000. The Town wished to avoid approximately $80,000.00 per year in additional operational and maintenance costs associated with the aeration options.

DCL Siemens Engineering Ltd. provided design and construction engineering services for the facultative lagoon expansion with provisions for future aeration. The project was completed in 1992. The project included a main sewage lift station and an effluent transfer station. DCL Siemens Engineering Ltd. also assisted the Town in obtaining all required permits including a development permit from the M.D. of Westlock who were reluctant to issue the permit due to concerns from adjacent and downstream property owners. A development permit was issued after three development appeal hearings.