Client
Private Client
Year
2025
Location
Hardisty, Alberta
Project Summary
In the fall of 2025, a large industrial group in Hardistry, Alberta, contacted Aquatic Engineering Canada after learning about the work we completed for a similar firewater pond. Their primary goal for this project was to increase the pond's capacity over the winter, as in previous years, the pond had frozen over completely, limiting water availability. They also wanted to maintain a small, open area or a thin ice sheet that could be broken, to truck in additional water as needed. AEC proposed a fine-bubble system to thin the ice cover across the entire pond and ensure emergency access, which was scaled to fit the client's budget and approved by their engineering consultant.
Fire Water Pond De-Icing System
Project Objective & Goals
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Minimize ice thickness to increase the pond's water capcity.
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Keep a thin ice layer or a small open area for emergency water access.
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Design a cost-effective system that could be installed within budget constraints.
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Ensure installation complies with strict site safety requirements.
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Deliver a reliable, low-maintenance de-icing solution for long-term winter operation.
Methods
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Installation was supervised by an AEC supervisor, but performed by client personnel due to strict safety requirements.
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The equipment was deployed from shore using ropes because boat access was prohibited.
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The diffusers were moved across the pond by two people pulling ropes from opposite sides.
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Once positioned, the ice was broken using a combination of weights with floats, along with the bubblers, to allow the airlines to fully sink.
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The diffusers were supplied with a CA-150 rocking piston compressor, which was housed in the adjacent control building. Pond Pro insulated airline was installed from the point of the compressor manifold out into the pond to mitigate the risk of ice buildup in the line exposed to freezing ambient air temperature.
Challenges
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Strict industrial safety rules prevented boat-based installation, requiring a creative shore-based approach.
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Pond already had ~1 inch of ice, complicating the placement of diffusers and airlines.
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Limited window for installation due to dropping temperatures and slow approvals.
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Coordinating the process between AEC supervisors and client personnel for safe, effective installation.
Timeline
System Design, Delivery, Installation Supervision: Fall 2025
Planned Solutions
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To comply with company safety policies, a shore-based deployment strategy was used, which involved ropes, weights, floats, and ice-breaking methods.
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Supervised installation to ensure safe and correct equipment placement and compressor setup.
Results
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System successfully installed under challenging conditions.
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The client has reported that the system is working.
