Ladysmith Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Capital Project
Sector
Water
Project value$16,285,000
Project Type
Capital Project
Sub Sector
Wastewater Management and Treatment
Grant amount$1,000,000
Program type
GMF
Municipality
Town of Ladysmith, BC
Loan amount$10,000,000
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
8,990
Project timeline
2013 - 2016
Project number
12012
Description
The Town of Ladysmith put the GMF funding toward a major upgrade of its wastewater plant to a standard that exceeds anticipated federal and provincial requirements. The municipality is applying technologies that have been combined in Europe, but never in Canada. These include a moving bed bio-reactor and a dissolved air flotation treatment system, in conjunction with energy-saving devices, solar panels and grey water reuse. The upgraded plant can accommodate a doubling of Ladysmith’s population, and will also meet the needs of the Stz'uminus First Nation communities in the area. This upgrade is essential for the redevelopment of the town’s waterfront lands and will support the health of the local shellfish industry. In addition to receiving a grant of $1 million and a loan of $10 million from GMF to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant, the Town of Ladysmith also directed over $5.2 million from its annual federal Gas Tax Fund allocations towards the project. (As per February 10, 2016 announcement)
Project results
- 1000603 cubic metres of water treated per year
Environmental outcomes
- Reduced energy use
- Renewable energy generation
- Reduced or avoided GHG emissions
- Reduced water consumption
- Improved waste management
- Biodiversity and ecosystem protection
- Reduced odour pollution
Social outcomes
- Protection/improvement of public human health
- Increased opportunities for recreational activities
- Improved service delivery and/or level or service
- Greater civic pride and ownership
- Increased social inclusion
- Improved public education or awareness
- Development of local programs
Economic outcomes
- Reduced operating costs
- New or improved revenue streams
- Increased business attraction
- Local business development or local economy stimulus
- Local spending/consumption
- Use of feasibility tools
Lessons learned
- Stakeholder and community engagement
- Council support/buy-in
- Communication & coordination
- Data and reporting
- External factors
- Technical – Project specific
Applicant
Town of Ladysmith, BC