It’s not money down the drain, it’s an investment in Centre Wellington.
On Oct. 15 Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong and Clark Somerville, third vice-president of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), announced a Green Municipal Fund (GMF) loan of $10 million and grant of $1 million for the Township of Centre Wellington.
The township will put the $11 million in funding toward upgrading and expanding the Elora wastewater treatment plant and Clyde Street sewage pumping station.
“Through the Green Municipal Fund, our government is helping communities across the country achieve their goal of a cleaner and healthier environment for Canadians,” said Chong.
“Today’s announcement is another example of how our government – in partnership with FCM – is helping communities like the Township of Centre Wellington improve the environment while positioning themselves for economic growth.”
Chong explained the upgrades and expansions will allow the Elora sewage treatment plant, which is near the end of its 30-year service life, to meet and exceed regulatory standards and will expand its capacity to accommodate forecasted growth and economic development in the township.
Added Somerville, “The Green Municipal Fund offers a range of resources and services that specifically address the sustainable community development needs of municipal governments.
“The financing and knowledge provided by the fund supports the development so communities are more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.”
Upgrades to the treatment plant will increase its overall output and provide new equipment to filter and disinfect (via ultra-violet technology) wastewater and to improve odour control. New pumps and a more efficient, higher-performance electrical system will be installed at the pumping station.
The township estimates the upgrades will reduce operational costs and extend the lifespan of the facilities by 20 years.
“We are grateful for the constructive partnership we have built with your government and sincerely appreciate the financial support for this essential project,” Centre Wellington Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj told Chong.
The project is also an example of how funding from GMF can be combined with funding from other programs – in this case, Ontario’s Rural Infrastructure Investment Initiative – to improve municipal infrastructure.
Ross-Zuj said she was delighted to welcome those participating in the Oct. 15 announcement.
“We’re in a small little tent beside a huge project,” she said.
“This is an enormous project for our community and we’re very excited by its progress and how we have committed to making an important difference to our community to accommodate growth for the future and to take a stand from an environmental perspective. It is something to be proud of.”
Chong said, “We as a government are proud to work with local municipalities like the Township of Centre Wellington to fund infrastructure projects throughout the country while at the same time creating economic growth and jobs, and doing something for the environment.”
Chong noted that several years ago, the federal government partnered with the FCM.
“We provided them with $550 million to establish the Green Municipal Fund,” Chong said, noting the purpose of the fund is two-fold. The first was to increase energy efficiencies in municipal infrastructure and buildings across the country.
“The second purpose was to create a cleaner and healthier environment for Canadians,” Chong said. He added the fund is achieving impressive results.
“One of those examples can be found in the Elora wastewater treatment plant.
“Today I am pleased to announce that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund is providing $11 million to upgrade and expand this wastewater treatment plant and the Clyde Street sewage pumping station.”
He said the work will accommodate forecasted growth of some 1,500 new homes in Elora and Salem. He added the work will also ensure the plant will meet new environmental standards.
“It will benefit not just the local community, but all those down river.”
Chong explained, “this initiative involves state-of-the-art design, and boasts the latest energy saving technology including the installation of an ultra-violet disinfection system to replace the existing chlorine disinfection system.”
New aeration tanks will be installed to increase energy efficiencies and contribute to cost savings.
Chong added the township, on its own initiative, undertook the installation of water meters and a pilot project for water conservation.
He said actions such as these will decrease the amount of water coming into the plant, and therefore reduce the amount of wastewater needing to be processed.
“This project represents the kind of innovation we are trying to accomplish across Canada,” said Chong.
“We know that improving energy efficiency is one of the fastest and greenest and most cost effective ways to save energy create jobs and help the environment.”
He said energy efficiency is a key part in the government’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott described the announcement as a wonderful step forward in terms of infrastructure.
Arnott agreed it is complicated trying to secure financial support from the federal and provincial governments.
“It is exceedingly difficult for municipalities to put forth a winning case, and it is a multi-stage approval process.”
He commented briefly on a church sermon from the previous Sunday regarding Thanksgiving and giving thanks. The theme was that the more affluent people become, the less thankful they become.
“The fact is that modern wastewater treatment is often taken for granted and yet it is one of the greatest innovations in human history in terms of quality of life and human health,” said Arnott.
He added the improved capacity, ability to treat waste, and enhanced bio-solids process will ensure the environment will continue to be protected – noting that “is an important priority for all of us.”
Somerville said, “on behalf of FCM I want to congratulate the Township of Centre Wellington and all the partners involved for your foresight and dedication in the Elora wastewater treatment plant.”
Somerville contended, “this is not a local project but an international project.” He explained the outflow of this plant will end up in the Grand River to Lake Erie and to Lake Ontario.
Beyond the commitment to environmental stewardship, Somerville said the Elora project demonstrates the challenges faced by many rural communities.
“These communities may have limited resources to invest in environmental sustainability and infrastructure upgrades.”
But in the case of Centre Wellington, the township identified opportunities for economic growth and sought out the partnerships to make it happen.
Somerville said this project is expected to extend the life of the facility another 20 years.
“It will run in an environmentally sound manner and cost less to operate.” He said that to date, FCM has committed more than $600 million to 975 initiatives from coast to coast to coast.
Somerville said the expertise gained by Centre Wellington in this project will be shared with municipalities across Canada.
Ross-Zuj said it won’t be too long before the municipality will be looking at a similar project in Fergus.
Centre Wellington’s public works director Colin Baker also spoke of how the project will impact the community. Baker outlined key benefits of the work, including improved discharge quality.
“That is a main improvement in the expansion.” He said it would involve substantially less ammonia, nitrogen and phosphorous in the effluent, thus protecting water quality in the Grand River.
“That is probably first and foremost in the improvements,” Baker said, adding the capacity of the plant will also be increased.
As to bio-solids storage and processing, Baker said. The storage system will be increased to hold up to 300 days worth of effluent, in addition to implementing state-of-the-art technology that will allow the remaining bio-solids to be used as a commercial fertilizer “… and potentially a marketable commodity down the road.”
Also the work includes state-of-the-art system in the forefront of odour control technology. He said with the expansion, there is a reduced need for off-site bio-solids storage.
“That in itself, should save the municipality about $100,000 each year,” Baker said.
He noted the work will also result in improved reliability at the plant, which will be outfitted with full back-up diesel generator power.
“If there is a power outage, this station will continue to operate without any interruption.”
Baker added there is improved worker safety, eliminating the need for multiple confined spaces work.
“The township is seen as a progressive leader within the Grand River watershed in the areas of water management and environmental protection,” he said.
Ross-Zuj said everyone is looking forward to the day the expanded plant is in operation.
