Water Pollution Control Centre Secondary Treatment Upgrade Project
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Capital Project
Sector
Water
Project value$46,000,000
Project Type
Capital Project
Sub Sector
Wastewater Management and Treatment
Grant amount$400,000
Program type
GMF
Municipality
City of Brockville, ON
Loan amount$4,000,000
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
22,116
Project timeline
2007 - 2012
Project number
10308
Description
The City of Brockville will upgrade its wastewater treatment facility to add secondary treatment using the conventional activated sludge (CAS) process and to replace the existing chlorine disinfection system with an ultraviolet system. The upgrade will address the facility’s current non-compliance with Ministry of Environment (MOE) criteria for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) concentration and loading.
The city has already completed several feasibility studies, assessments and engineering studies for the project. The project team will modify and upgrade the wastewater treatment facility to accommodate secondary treatment, improve control and monitoring, address existing shortfalls and make the facility more efficient and sustainable. The design of the secondary treatment upgrade includes tools for verifying the effluent quality. Four automated sensors will be used after the ultraviolet treatment and prior to effluent entering the St. Lawrence River. The sensors will measure turbidity, flow, pH and ammonia levels. Plant operators will also analyze manual effluent samples in the new onsite laboratory facility to be constructed as part of the secondary treatment expansion operations centre. The secondary treatment process includes energy-efficient technology and meets LEED standards for energy efficiency.
Secondary treatment will reduce the concentrations of critical suspended solids to 15 mg/L, oxygen demand to 15 mg/L and residual chlorine to 0.02 mg/L . Other concentrations of pollutants, including phosphorous, dissolved ammonia as nitrogen and fecal coliform levels, will also be reduced. The planned upgrades are expected to reduce the overall cost of facility operations, including power consumption. By bringing the city into compliance with MOE requirements, the project will allow for further economic development. With fewer pollutants, the St Lawrence River will be more suitable for recreational activities such as fishing, swimming and scuba diving.
(Project description from original funding application)
Project results
- 5532670 cubic metres of water treated per year
Environmental outcomes
- Renewable energy generation
- Reduced hazardous residuals from water treatment
- Biodiversity and ecosystem protection
Social outcomes
- Protection/improvement of public human health
- Increased opportunities for recreational activities
- Improved service delivery and/or level or service
Economic outcomes
- Local business development or local economy stimulus
- Local spending/consumption
Lessons learned
- Council support/buy-in
- Communication & coordination
- Resources
Applicant
City of Brockville, ON