Treating rainwater is taking up valuable capacity in the township’s wastewater system, a report from the Grand River Conservation Authority indicates.
Dave Chapman, an environmental engineer with Comprehensive Process Optimization Inc., presented Mapleton council with details of a GRCA evaluation of the township’s wastewater system completed in December.
Chapman said the GRCA is seeking to form partnerships with those interested in reducing the amount of effluent going into the river. He pointed out that treated wastewater can only be discharged during two windows of time, one each in spring and fall and the effluent “has to meet certain requirements.”
Chapman said “overall there is no problem with meeting your objectives. The quality of your effluent.”
However, he pointed out that rainwater currently accounts for as much as 150 cubic metres of the municipality’s sewage treatment plant capacity of 750 cubic metres per day.
Recognizing the municipality has initiated a class environmental assessment on wastewater capacity, Chapman noted, “Going forward this is one of the issues you have to look at … rainwater takes up some of your capacity.”
He said the GRCA recommends the municipality continue to negotiate with the province for “more flexibility to address potential over-capacity issues.”
Mayor Neil Driscoll thanked Chapman for the input.
“One of the question we’ve always had is what can we do to improve our facility and we’re finally getting some answers. This will help us move forward,” said Driscoll.
