Media Release: Stratford Council Selects Preferred Option for Replacement of Sewer Treatment Plant
For Immediate Release: September 14, 2016
The Stratford Town Council voted tonight to proceed to build a new enclosed Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) treatment plant on the site of the existing plant as the best long term option for the replacement of the existing plant. "Council and staff have carefully analyzed various long-term options for Stratford's Wastewater Treatment Plant including the financial cost, the environmental impact, the impact on effluent quality and the impact on the gateway to the town and the nearby properties." stated Mayor David Dunphy. "In addition, the Town consulted extensively with our residents and considered the feedback received from citizens and other stakeholders".
Stratford's sewer is presently treated at the Town's Waste Water Treatment Plant, which is a modified lagoon system. Despite significant upgrades in recent years, the plant has not consistently been able to comply with the effluent quality parameters approved for the plant and has experienced odours during the annual spring turnover that negatively impact the residents and businesses in the area. Council has long identified the need to replace the existing plant and commissioned a number of engineering studies, negotiated with the City of Charlottetown and reviewed detailed financial analysis of various options. Council narrowed down the options to the two options listed below:
- Option 1 -pump the sewer to an upgraded Charlottetown Pollution Control Plant.
- Option 2 -build a new enclosed Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR) treatment plant on the site of the existing plant.
Information on both options was circulated to every household and residents and stakeholders were invited to attend an open house and/or to send their comments to the town or their Council member. "We really appreciate the thoughtful comments and feedback from residents and stakeholders who took the time to engage with the town on this issue" stated Councillor Gary Clow, Chair of the Infrastructure Committee. The majority of residents and stakeholders indicated a preference for Option 2 -build a new SBR plant in Stratford, mainly due to concerns about cost and control.
The majority of the new plant will be located underground and the small above ground portion of the plant will be designed to be aesthetically pleasing, in keeping with other commercial buildings in the waterfront area. The new plant will also be designed with sustainability in mind to reflect the Town's commitment to sustainability. Town staff will now proceed to issue a Request for Proposals for the design of the plant with construction to start next spring and to finalize infrastructure funding agreements for the project.
For more information please contact:
Robert Hughes
Chief Administrative Officer
T: (902) 569-6251
E: [email protected]