Leamington Wastewater Treatment Plant - Primary & Secondary Treatment Upgrade

Type of initiative FCM Green Municipal Fund - Capital Project
Sector Water
Project value$32,600,000
Project Type Capital Project
Sub Sector Wastewater Management and Treatment
Grant amount$400,000
Program type GMF
Municipality Municipality of Leamington, ON
Loan amount$2,000,000
Status Fully Disbursed
Population 29,680
Project timeline 2009 - 2011
Project number 10130

Description

The Municipality of Leamington plans to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant, the Leamington Pollution Control Centre, to improve the quality of wastewater flowing out of the plant and upgrade the ability to manage heavy flows during wet weather. The project team will upgrade the plant to a conventional activated sludge plant. The team will install modern, energy-efficient systems in three phases: installation of a new grit treatment system; conversion of the old, mechanical system for adding air to water into a modern, “fine bubble diffuser” system; and installation of new tanks to clarify the water. In the third phase, the team will also create a retention pond to hold excess water during wet weather. The upgrade will improve the quality of the water flowing out of the plant, reducing the suspended solids in the wastewater by nine per cent. Residents, businesses and tourists will benefit from reduced beach warnings and closures due to improved water quality. The new wet weather retention pond will reduce the amount of water that bypasses the plant during wet weather by 75-90 per cent, reducing basement flooding in the community. Improved energy efficiency at the plant will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs.
(Project description from original funding application)

Project results

  • 6197200 cubic metres of water treated per year

Environmental outcomes

  • Reduced energy use
  • Reduced or avoided GHG emissions
  • Improved stormwater management
  • Reduced odour pollution

Social outcomes

  • Protection/improvement of public human health
  • Increased opportunities for recreational activities
  • Improved service delivery and/or level or service

Economic outcomes

  • Reduced maintenance costs
  • Increased business attraction

Lessons learned

  • External factors
  • Technical – Project specific

Applicant

Municipality of Leamington, ON