Courtright WWTP Final Effluent Reuse System

In response to complaints to wastewater odours, the Township of St. Clair plans to upgrade its Courtright wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) by installing a final effluent reuse system and expanding its existing odour treatment capacity. In addition to mitigating the plant’s odours, the project will significantly reduce potable water consumption. This project aligns with the Township’s Official Plan, which established that infrastructure decisions must consider the protection of the natural environment, and with the Public Works Asset Management Plan, which encourages the Township to identify and implement cost saving opportunities. While the township expands its existing biofiltration system, which cleans foul air in the facility’s inlet channel, the plant upgrade will reuse effluent for the biofilters and other operations, such as washing and scouring, which do not require potable water. The system will consist of two pumps that will feed a new final effluent distribution system. An online pressure monitor will control the reuse pumps, which will operate on variable frequency drives (VFDs). In addition to a meter that will measure monthly potable water consumption, the plant will install a meter to monitor the amount of actual final effluent reused at the facility. The township will also conduct odour sampling and perform air modeling to determine the effectiveness of the expanded odour treatment system. The installation of the final effluent reuse system will reduce the Courtright WWTP’s potable water consumption by 80% annually (approximately 5,699 m3/yr). The facility’s baseline energy consumption will increase as a result of adding new operating equipment; however, the use of VFDs and continuous process monitoring will minimize this energy increase. The initiative will save the Township approximately $13,100 annually in operating and maintenance costs. The expanded biofilters will reduce effluent odours from the WWTP by 99% for hydrogen sulphide, by 90% for ammonia and by 92% for odour units. These reductions may provide improvements to public health and quality of life. The Township plans to engage the community by providing tours of the facility, which may help raise water conservation awareness among residents. (Project description from original funding application)