Similar to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which in the mid-ninties included provisions in the Clean Water Act for the development of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) by each industrial facility discharging storm water, including airports; under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act Part IV (CEPA), a Glycol Guideline of 100 mg/L was established. Since then, airports and airlines have worked to minimize Aircraft Deicing Fluid (ADF) consumption levels.
In July of this summer, Airports Council International — North America (ACI-NA) selected Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport Authority as one of the winners of the 2005 Environmental Achievement Awards for the design and construction of a glycol biotreatment system, “an innovative system that has proven that glycol-impacted storm water can be treated in situ with no impact to neighboring bodies of water.” According to Sara Massey, ACI manager, technical and environmental affairs, “The winning entries exemplify the strides airports take on a daily basis to exceed local, state and federal regulations.”
With the cost-cutting measures airlines are having to take due to rising fuel, health care and labor costs on one side and competitive airfares on the other, they are pinching every dollar, therefore any cost-saving strategy is a plus. However, when it incorporates environmental protection and improvements, it’s a major bonus and the best of both worlds.
Our cover story this month goes into further detail regarding the “torch” being carried by the Ottawa International Airport, which demonstrates effective cost-saving strategies, dedication to protecting the natural environment and tremendous vision by focusing on Air Canada Airlines, which has installed ADF blending system stations at Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier, Calgary, Halifax and soon St. Johns International Airports in Canada. Are there other innovative, cost-saving solutions that are being implemented at your airport, in your department or on your ramp? If so, please let me know by sending an e-mail to .
As always, thank you for reading!
