Purpose of the wastewater improvement projects
The new licences for our treatment plants require that we take immediate steps to reduce nutrient and bacteria levels in the final effluent. The licences specify compliance levels for these items and the time frame for meeting them. To meet the new levels, the three wastewater plants require significant upgrades in treatment processes.
The City has a ten year capital budget program for upgrading the treatment plants and will pay for most of the costs through revenues from sewer and water bills. There is an opportunity for the City to receive funding through the federal Canadian Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF) 
, along with provincial support , to help pay for part of the costs of the improvements to the wastewater plants.
As part of the CSIF application, the components of the wastewater improvement project eligible for funding require an environmental assessment report be done under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The purpose of the assessment is to determine the potential environmental effects and actions required to reduce them.
The City hired TetrES Consultants Inc. to do the environmental assessment. It is completed and has been submitted to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) for review by its environmental specialists and by the public. The Agency will accept the environmental assessment if they are satisfied it addresses any potential impacts. They may also issue conditions and, if warranted, direct funding to the projects.
Since Manitoba Conservation has already issued Environment Act licences for our wastewater treatment plants, there is no additional formal provincial approval process required for the upgrade of the three wastewater treatment plants.
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This page was last updated on October 24, 2008 |
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