High Rate Treatment Feasibility Study - City of St. Catharines
Type of initiative
FCM Green Municipal Fund - Plans, Studies, Pilots
Sector
Water
Project value$225,000
Project Type
Feasibility Study
Sub Sector
Wastewater Management and Treatment
Grant amount$100,000
Program type
GMF
Municipality
Regional Municipality of Niagara, ON
Status
Fully Disbursed
Population
477,941
Project timeline
2004 - 2009
Project number
1841
Description
The City of St. Catharines and the Region of Niagara will carry out a joint feasibility study into the appropriateness ofusing an innovative technology known as high rate treatment to treat wastewater before it is discharged. The distributedtreatment process uses a vortex to separate solids and liquid. It requires little or no energy. Currently, 11 municipalities inthe Niagara region use combined sewer overflows to handle sanitary and storm overflow during rainstorms that exceedthe capacity of their downstream pumping stations. The overflows discharge the water directly into streams or otherbodies of water, often releasing harmful pollutants. If suitable, this treatment technology could avoid the need to pumpthe overflow water to the wastewater plant for treatment, and would separate many organic pollutants from thewastewater before it is discharged. The project would reduce the discharge of pollutants and cut the city's energyconsumption and greenhouse gas emissions, because it eliminates the need for increased pumping by the existingwastewater treatment plant and by pumping stations.
Applicant
Regional Municipality of Niagara, ON