Centre Wellington councillors are hoping this is the last time they need to find an off-site location to store sludge from Elora’s waste water treatment plant.
On Oct. 28, Centre Wellington council authorized managing director of infrastructure Colin Baker to execute an agreement for contingency biosolids storage and processing.
Staff had sought council approval to enter into an agreement with Lystek International Inc. for the rental of biosolids storage capacity and processing, if and when required, from Feb. 1 to April 30, 2014.
The cost for the storage capacity is $3,200 per month and $7 per cubic metre for biosolids processing at the Lystek facility in Dundalk.
Baker noted biosolids from wastewater treatment plants must be stored during the winter and spring months when soil and weather conditions do not allow for the application of biosolids as a fertilizer on agricultural land.
Currently, the Elora Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) has very limited biosolids storage and must transfer biosolids to an off-site storage facility throughout the winter and spring months.
Baker explained that since November 2003, the township has rented a biosolids storage cell at the Region of Huronia Environmental Services storage facility in New Lowell.
The current expansion project at the Elora WWTP includes construction of tanks allowing for 300 days worth of biosolids storage.
As such, Baker said, the new tanks will replace the need for any off-site biosolids storage; however, the tanks will not be in operation until late spring or summer of 2014.
With the township’s agreement with Huronia recently expired, township staff approached Lystek International regarding the possibility of biosolids storage for the winter/spring of 2014.
In the summer of 2013, Lysek commissioned its Organic Materials Recovery Centre in Dundalk.
Baker explained the facility utilizes the same Lystek technology that will be installed in Elora to process biosolids for use as a commercial fertilizer.
The Lystek facility in Dundalk is fully operational under Environmental Compliance Approval No. 8850-8V6S7Z issued by the Ministry of the Environment and is currently processing biosolids from the City of Toronto and Town of Orangeville.
He noted the Lystek cost is less than the Huronia storage option of $7,000 per month plus $273 per month for financial assurance and additional hauling costs.
Councillor Mary Lloyd said “this should be the last time.”
Councillor Walt Visser added this would allow for future emergencies as well.
Councillor Steven VanLeeuwen noted the Dundalk location is also closer, which should save money as well.
“The trucking was invoiced to us as well,” VanLeeuwen noted.
