Elora Wastewater Treatment Plant and Clyde Street Sewage Pumping Station Upgrading and Expansion
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Capital Project
Sector
Water
Project value$16,500,000
Project Type
Capital Project
Sub Sector
Wastewater Management and Treatment
Grant amount$1,000,000
Program type
GMF
Municipality
Township of Centre Wellington, ON
Loan amount$10,000,000
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
31,093
Project timeline
2012 - 2014
Project number
11000
Description
The Township of Centre Wellington will upgrade and expand the Elora Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to tertiary treatment to reduce contaminant concentrations and loadings to meet revised Ministry of Environment Certificate of Approval requirements. The plant serves its two urban centres: Fergus and Elora/Salem. The upgrade will permit continued urban growth, provide economic benefits for the entire municipality, and help protect water quality in the Grand River, a Canadian Heritage River and tourist attraction, which also provides drinking water for downstream communities.
The township will upgrade its WWTP to add filtration and ultra-violet (UV) light disinfection to reduce contaminant concentrations and loadings in the plant’s outflow. The expansion will increase capacity, improve treatment and energy efficiency and incorporate odour control equipment. The effluent quality will surpass new national regulations by achieving 8 mg/L in Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and 5-day Carbonaceous Oxygen Demand (CBOD5) and 0 mg/l in Total Residual Chlorine. It will also result in 8 mg/L Total Phosphorus and 100 org/100 mL in E.coli. To reduce bypass events during peak flow and power outages, the township will also replace pumps and increase the electrical capacity in its Clyde Street Sewage Pumping Station.
The township has actively initiated water conservation measures, which will support the effectiveness and longevity of the upgrades. In particular, the township has installed residential water meters, it is participating in the POLIS soft path water management pilot project for water conservation, and it has been systematically replacing deficient sewers.
The upgrades are intended to reduce costs and extend the lifespan of the existing facilities for a minimum of 20 years. Further, the township hopes to encourage development and redevelopment, increase employment opportunities, stimulate the economy, and bolster tax revenue.
(Project description from original funding application)
Project results
- 657365 cubic metres of water treated per year
Environmental outcomes
- Improved waste management
- Minimal environmental impact
- Reduced odour pollution
Social outcomes
- Protection/improvement of public human health
- Increased staff health and safety
- Increased opportunities for recreational activities
- Improved service delivery and/or level or service
Economic outcomes
- Reduced maintenance costs
- Increased service life
- Innovative financing
- Local business development or local economy stimulus
- Local spending/consumption
Lessons learned
- Stakeholder and community engagement
- Council support/buy-in
- Data and reporting
- Resources
- External factors
Applicant
Township of Centre Wellington, ON