Town of Arnprior - Assessment of Alternative Solutions for Biosolids and Wastewater Treatment

The Town of Arnprior will investigate several solutions for improving wastewater and biosolids treatment at its Water Pollution Control Centre (WPCC). The current facility is operating near its average day-flow capacity and a significant wet weather event could potentially overload the system, discharging raw sewage into the Madawaska River. The project team will review the 1992 Environmental Assessment Report for plant upgrades and evaluate present and future service requirements and desired effluent quality criteria. It will evaluate alternative methods for primary and secondary effluent treatment, biosolids management, odour control, disinfection and aeration. The town will also consider the possibility of relocating the WPCC’s outfall from the Madawaska River to the nearby Ottawa River. Incorporating input from stakeholders, the team will weigh the various options and determine the preferred management solutions. Biosolids management, if implemented, will reduce odour and greenhouse gas emissions produced by sludge decomposition in the landfill. Treatment upgrades, such as a redundant secondary reactor and improved aeration controls, will eliminate the risk of raw sewage bypass and reduce effluent phosphorous levels by 25 per cent. The team will follow LEED practices in sustainable design to maximize the energy efficiency of any plant upgrades.