1. Introduction
Facultative waste stabilization ponds (WSPs) are a common
wastewater treatment strategy for communities in cold regions.
This is due to their low operating cost, minimal required technical
proficiency, and low energy and chemical demand. WSPs can also
be designed for long retention periods (∼6–12 months) with intermittent
discharge, which are necessary in communities that cannot
have continuous discharge due to extended ice cover during the
winter (Heaven et al., 2003). Facultative WSPs rely on microalgae
to provide aeration. Microalgae are directly or indirectly related to
the removal of a number of parameters including organics, nitrogen
and phosphorus.
Recent research conducted in the Canadian territory of Nunavut
showed that there was significant variance in the design, opera-