CAPG - Grand River Conservation Authority

The initiative will incorporate climate change adaptation into the Watershed-wide Wastewater Optimization Program (VVWOP, see www.grandriver.ca/en/our-watershed/Wastewater-optimization.aspx) The VVWOP is actively engaging llmunicipalities and 2 First Nations communities since 2010 by providing peer-learning via workshops and hands-on activities to wastewater treatment plants. The VVWOP focuses on operational techniques to improve effluent quality. reduce bypasses and realize additional treatment capacity without large capital investment. The VVWOP provides tools, training, discussion forums and individual support to address challenges in a collaborative setting Climate change is expected to cause more frequent, severe rain and snowmelt events and extended droughts. Rain and snowmelt entering collection systems results in high wastewater flows and bypasses so climate change may reduce treatment plant capacity and increase bypassing—During droughts, treated effluent can stress the Grand River with elevated phosphorus levels (e.g. eutrophication) and potentially toxic levels of ammonia, creating a need for better effluent quality. These climate change impacts pose a serious challenge for Grand River watershed municipalities because the traditional approach is to invest in costly expansions and upgrades. The VVWOP takes an alternative approach by addressing performance and/or capacity issues using technical assistance to make the best use of existing infrastructure, resulting in significant capital cost savings. The proposed project has a high potential to reduce vulnerability to climate change impacts. First the project team and VVWOP network of wastewater practitioners has a wealth of knowledge and experience on issues including inflow/infiltration and improving treatment performance. Secondly, the project can have an immediate impact because the VVWOP already has an established network of 1 1 municipalities that regularly participate in VVWOP workshops.The expected outcome of this project is participating plants will demonstrate improved effluent quality better control of treatment processes and fewer bypasses, which results in treatment plants that are resilient to climate change.The GRCA has been collaborating with staff from the MOECC Environmental Innovations Branch, as well as local MOECC district and regional offices. The Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) is contracted by many watershed municipalities. Since OCWA operates many treatment plants outside of the Grand River watershed, collaboration with them improves outcomes because they can bring knowledge from outside the watershed, and knowledge from the project can be transferred to other wastewater systems operated by the authority.