Notice of Study Commencement and Invitation to Participate

Transcription

1 REGION OF WATERLOO Wastewater Treatment Master Plan Class Environmental Assessment Notice of Study Commencement and Invitation to Participate Background The Regional Municipality of Waterloo is responsible for treating wastewater that enters the sewer system from homes and businesses throughout Waterloo Region. Currently, the Region owns and operates 13 wastewater treatment plants (see map), and 5 pumping stations. In 1995, the Region completed its last wastewater treatment master plan. Since then, wastewater treatment demands have grown along with the population and businesses in Waterloo Region. In 2003, the Region prepared a Regional Growth Management Strategy, which recommended that the wastewater master plan be updated. Class EA Study Now Underway The Region has initiated a study to identify and evaluate wastewater treatment projects, technologies and servicing strategies that will meet the long-term needs of residents and businesses until This study is being developed as a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) under Ontario s Environmental Assessment Act. Public Involvement Welcome Public involvement is an important part of the Class EA process. Residents and community organizations are invited to participate in developing the new wastewater treatment study, which is expected to be completed by late Opportunities for public input including workshops and open houses will occur throughout the study process to seek community feedback on potential future wastewater treatment plans and projects in the Region. Future consultation events will be publicized in this newspaper, through direct mail, and posted on the Region s website at Please contact either of the following study team members if you would like more information at this early stage in the process, or to be added to the study mailing list to receive direct notice of future study events:

2 Mr. Karl Cober, P.Eng. Senior Planning Engineer Regional Municipality of Waterloo Transportation & Environmental Services Dept. 7 th floor, Water Services Division 150 Fredrick Street Kitchener, ON N2G 4J3 Tel: Fax: kcober@region.waterloo.on.ca Ms. Patricia Quackenbush, P.Eng. Senior Project Engineer Earth Tech (Canada) Inc. 101 Frederick Street, Suite 502 Kitchener, ON N2H 6R2 Tel: Fax: patty.quackenbush@earthtech.ca Ken Seiling Regional Chair

3 Regional Municipality of Waterloo Wastewater Treatment Master Plan Class EA Stakeholder Workshop #1 Meeting Record November 30, 2004 Waterloo Region Emergency Services Training and Research Complex

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5 This Meeting Record has been prepared by Lura Consulting. Lura is providing third-party facilitation services as part of the process to develop Waterloo Region s Wastewater Treatment Master Plan Class EA. The Meeting Record presents the key discussion points and outcomes from the November 30 th, 2004 Wastewater Treatment Master Plan Stakeholder Workshop #1 hosted by The Regional Municipality of Waterloo, and is subject to review by meeting participants. If you have any questions or comments regarding the report, please contact either: Mr. Karl Cober, P. Eng OR Ms. Patty Quackenbush Senior Planning Engineer Senior Project Engineer Regional Municipality of Earth Tech (Canada) Inc. Waterloo Transportation & Environmental 101 Frederick St, Suite 502 Services 7 th Floor, 150 Frederick Street Kitchener, Ontario N2H 6R2 Kitchener, Ontario N2G 4J3 patty.quackenbush@earthtech.ca kcober@region.wat erloo.on.ca Phone: Phone: Fax: Fax:

6 1.0 INTRODUCTION Background and Workshop Overview The Region of Waterloo has initiated a study to identify and evaluate wastewater treatment projects, technologies and servicing strategies that will meet the long-term needs of residents and businesses until This study is being developed as a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) under Ontario s Environmental Assessment Act and follows the master plan provisions as set out in the June 2000 Municipal Class EA guidance document. The purpose of the workshop was to introduce the Region of Waterloo Wastewater Treatment Master Plan (WWTMP) project to agency and public stakeholders and to receive stakeholder input on the key issues and opportunities associated with developing the WWTMP; the draft purpose statement; the proposed evaluation method and criteria; and a preliminary list of alternative solutions. The November 30 th workshop was the first of several to be held as part of the WWTMP process to ensure that stakeholders are provided with the opportunity to participate in developing the Master Plan. Approximately 60 invitations were issued to governmental and non-governmental organizations in and adjacent to Waterloo Region to participate in the workshop. Twenty-five participants attended the meeting, including representatives from the Region of Waterloo (staff and two members of Regional Council), area and nearby municipalities and the Grand River Conservation Authority. Several residents of Waterloo Region also participated in the workshop. The meeting format consisted of a one-hour open house where participants could view displays and speak informally with Regional and consultant team representatives, followed by a formal workshop, which included a presentation and roundtable discussions. Key meeting materials included a Workshop Discussion Paper, which was circulated to participants in advance of the workshop, as well as a Participant Workbook, which was available as a handout at the meeting. The Workbook included the workshop agenda and discussion questions, and provided participants with the opportunity to submit additional written comments up until December 10 th, The workshop agenda is attached as Appendix A and the list of participants is included in Appendix B. This Meeting Record presents highlights and key outcomes from the meeting including a summary of stakeholder perspectives and feedback. The report is based on input provided at the meeting, as well as several sets of written comments received following the workshop. Welcoming Remarks Wilmot Mayor and Regional Councillor Wayne Roth welcomed participants to the meeting and thanked them for participating in the process. Mayor Roth indicated that he was pleased to see such a great response to the invitation from interested stakeholders and that these consultations will provide valuable input into the process to develop longterm wastewater treatment solutions for the Region of Waterloo. 1

7 Facilitator David Dilks also welcomed the group, acknowledging the involvement of the Mayor, Regional Councillors and staff, municipal and non-government representatives, and members of the Earth Tech consultant team. David provided a quick review of the agenda, indicating that his role as a neutral third party facilitator was to facilitate the discussions to identify stakeholder perspectives on the: (1) key issues and opportunities, (2) the draft purpose statement, (3) proposed evaluation criteria and methodology, and (4) draft list of alternative solutions for the Wastewater Treatment Master Plan. Presentation: Introduction to the Region of Waterloo Wastewater Treatment Master Plan John Haasen, project manager from Earth Tech, presented an overview of the project. John discussed the Region s current wastewater treatment system, demand forecasts and long-term planning considerations regarding the growth of existing communities within the Region of Waterloo. John also provided an overview of the EA process and the Master Plan process, evaluation, potential alternative solutions and next steps. The Region of Waterloo completed its last wastewater treatment master plan in 1995 and since that time demand for wastewater treatment has grown along with the population and business development in the Region. In 2003, the Region developed a Regional Growth Management Strategy (RGMS) to assist in planning future population and employment growth in the Region in accordance with provincial "Smart Growth" principles. One of the recommendations of the RGMS included updating the Region's Wastewater Treatment Master Plan. Therefore, the Region has initiated a study to identify and evaluate wastewater treatment projects, technologies and servicing strategies that will meet the long-term needs of residents and businesses through to This study is being developed as a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) under Ontario s Environmental Assessment Act and follows the master plan provisions as set out in the June 2000 MEA Municipal Class EA document. John concluded his presentation by presenting the consultant team s early thinking on the draft purpose statement; the proposed evaluation method and criteria; and a preliminary list of alternative solutions. He finished by emphasizing that feedback received at and following the workshop would be used to refine the work done to date, and to finalize the draft Discussion Paper. 2.0 Participant Feedback This section provides an overview of the feedback received from participants at the workshop. The summary is based on participant feedback during the roundtable discussions (as captured in table reports), plenary sessions and individual feedback provided through workbooks and comments submitted following the meeting. Immediately following the presentation, and prior to commencing the small table discussions, participants were asked if they had any questions directly related to the presentation. Participants had no questions of clarification at this time and therefore the facilitator moved directly to the roundtable discussion. 2

8 Workbook Question #1: As you think abut the Wastewater Master Plan Project, what major opportunities or benefits do you see resulting from the project? What pressing issues or concerns will the project need to address? Participants identified many opportunities and issues relating to the WWTMP project. A summary of the feedback is provided in the tables below: Major Opportunities/Benefits Key Opportunities Master Plan should look at innovative and new technologies Enhance treatment performance and improve the quality of the Region s watersheds and receiving waters Minimize impacts to the community Improve/rationalize the existing wastewater treatment system Ensure the Master Plan addresses Smart Growth principles and raises the bar for future developments Reduce demand for treatment Additional Ideas/Perspectives Examine innovative ways to use/reuse wastewater (e.g. reuse for fire protection); look at green technologies Look at onsite and in-pipe treatment options Establish a Centre for Innovation in Waterloo Region to study and showcase new technologies Reduce impacts on the Grand River watershed Look at alternatives that improve aquatic/ecosystem health Examine emerging issues (endocrine disruptors; climate change) that affect the environment and water quality/flows Improve treatment performance and increase quality of wastewater discharges Reduce contaminant loads to the Grand River from sources other than wastewater treatment plants Set targets for effluent Address quality-of-life issues (e.g. odour) that affect communities and people Better signs at treatment centres Redirect flows to more capable plants Reduce # of plants and pumping stations where possible Make better use of existing facilities and integrate treatment Have regard to splitting of storm and sanitary sewers Set higher environmental standards for new developments (e.g. East side) Explore potential to direct new industrial growth to areas with appropriate/adequate wastewater treatment Capacity must be available for higher density developments Examine location of facilities vis a vis residential areas Consider financial incentives for industry to reduce effluent production 3

9 Major Issues/Concerns that the Master Plan Should Address Key Issues Master Plan must address major failure risks to the system Avoid environmentally sensitive areas Drinking water protection is critical Capacity of the Grand/receiving waters Additional Ideas/Perspectives Risks from occurrences like hydro blackouts, spillls need to be planned for; must ensure emergency power backup is in place The Waterloo Moraine should be considered/protected Wetland protection is important Residents are very concerned about drinking water quality the Master Plan must address this Need to consider the carrying capacity of the Grand River Quality of effluent entering the receiving waters is a major concern Downstream drinking water takings, users (including recreation) must be considered Cost of treatment Maximize money to be spent on innovative technologies that improve/extend assimilative capacity of the Grand and its tributaries Linking the Master Plan with parallel processes Have regard for ongoing provincial initiatives (e.g., Great Lakes work; Source Water Protection; Places to Grow) Look at upstream/downstream plans and processes that could affect the Master Plan Workbook Question #2: Looking at the draft purpose statement below, what would you change or add (if anything)? When asked for their feedback regarding the draft purpose statement outlined in the Discussion Paper, participants generally agreed with it but suggested it should do more to encourage and promote innovation. Draft Purpose Statement (as presented in the Discussion Paper) With input from the general public and interested stakeholders, the Region of Waterloo is developing a Master Plan for the provision of reliable wastewater treatment and major conveyance systems to meet the Region of Waterloo s current and future needs, to approximately 2045, consistent with the Region s Growth Management Strategy, in a manner which: protects human health; protects significant aspects of the natural environment, enhancing them where feasible; addresses current and anticipated regulatory requirements/changes; and is fiscally responsible. 4

10 Participants also identified the following additions to the purpose statement: Provide municipal sewage treatment facilities in a manner which encourages sustainable growth across the Region; Put more emphasis on enhancing the environment (i.e. in addition to protecting it); it was suggested that a separate bullet could be added to underline the importance of enhancement. Workbook Question #3: Looking at the draft evaluation criteria, what would you change or add (if anything)? The following table reflects the changes and additions suggested by participants to the proposed evaluation criteria: EVALUATION CRITERIA Natural Environmental Considerations Social/Cultural Considerations Economic/Financial Considerations Legal/Jurisdictional Technical Considerations SUGGESTIONS/ADDITIONS Fisheries and aquatic health (NH3 toxicity) Assimilative capacity of the Grand (N + P) Benthic invertebrate community structure (NH3 toxicity) Odour issues/air quality Improve health of river Impact across neighbouring boundaries Impacts on social uses of river Tourism downstream Public education program Reduce impacts on neighbourhoods e.g. odour, noise, trucks, etc. Consider policies regarding growth Should split up capital and operating costs as they have different impacts Rationalize and integrate entire system under one governing body Cost to ratepayers how rates impact future growth Phasing to meet growth projections will be appropriate Reduce impacts to ratepayers Innovation should be a consideration Pilot new technologies System should follow more stringent criteria than presently regulated Risk reduction and higher reliability e.g. reduce spills Flexibility Innovation 5

11 One of the roundtable groups identified the addition of new criteria category: Public Health impacts on downstream uses (recreation or public drinking water). Additionally, participants indicated that rationale should be identified for each of the criteria and that stakeholders should be able to review/comment on the revised criteria as well as the methodology for evaluation. Although the issue of methodology was discussed briefly at the workshop, participants did not provide strong direction on a preferred method. Workbook Question #4: Looking at the draft long list of alternative solutions, do you have any comments? For example, what alternatives do you see as priorities? What alternatives should not be considered? Why? Participants identified the following additions to the list of alternative solutions: Education Water conservation develop incentives to encourage industry/residential conservation efforts Innovative technologies o Greater use of grey water applications o Use by-products (biosolids) in an economically environmentally friendly manner Optimization/integration of sewer collection/conveyance/treatment Some comments were also provided concerning the long list of solutions presented in the Discussion Paper: ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS 1. Expand existing wastewater systems COMMENTS Include the idea of centralizing facilities where possible and/or taking some older facilities off-line 2. New wastewater treatment systems Current receivers New receivers 3. Discharge to adjacent wastewater systems Need to specify impacts on current and new receivers as well as what these are (Grand River, Speed River, etc.) GRCA would not advocate the discharge of wastewater into adjacent watersheds 4. Water conservation and extraneous flow reduction, re-use alternatives Important to do this in conjunction with other alternatives 5. Innovative Technologies U of W has new technology that looks at basic oxygen furnace slag to reduce P levels in waste water 6

12 6. Limit community growth 7. Do nothing Not appropriate or responsible Closing Remarks David Dilks and Councillor Jean Haalboom thanked everyone for their participation and feedback. Dave noted that advice from this meeting will be incorporated into a report to be circulated to all meeting participants and presented to the Region. 7

13 Appendix A: Agenda 6:00 p.m. Open House 7:00 Welcome and Opening Remarks Wayne Roth, Mayor of Wilmot, Regional Councillor and Steering Committee Member 7:05 Meeting Purpose and Agenda Review David Dilks, Facilitator Lura Consulting 7:10 Presentation: Introduction to Region of Waterloo Wastewater Treatment Master Plan John Haasen, EarthTech 7:40 Questions and Answers 7:50 Break 8:00 Roundtable Discussion Issues and Opportunities Purpose Statement Evaluation Criteria Alternative Solutions 9:20 Next Steps and Closing Remarks 9:30 Adjourn