Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Oxford County PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE No. 1 November 3, 2011 6:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m.
STUDY BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The Princeton Water Servicing Study, completed in 2005, identified that the groundwater in Princeton has been contaminated by discharges from existing on-site wastewater treatment systems (septic systems). The Princeton Water Servicing Study recommended that a communal water supply system be constructed for Princeton. The system is currently being installed. The County received a petition from 130 Princeton residents requesting that a Princeton wastewater servicing study be completed. The Princeton Wastewater Servicing Study is being completed as a Schedule C Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA). The study will select a preferred solution, select a preferred design concept and meet the requirements of the Municipal Class EA process. The overall objective of this study is to: Develop a wastewater servicing plan for the existing Community of Princeton that is environmentally responsible, socially acceptable and economically sustainable
CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS We are here PHASE 1 Identify problem or opportunity Identify problem or opportunity Public Information Centre No. 1 Public Information Centre No. 1 PHASE 2 Identify and evaluate alternative solutions to the problem or opportunity Identify and evaluate alternative solutions to the problem or opportunity Public Information Centre No. 2 Select Public a preferred Information solution Centre No. 2 Select a preferred solution PHASE 3 Identify and evaluate alternative design concepts for the preferred solution Identify and evaluate alternative design concepts for the preferred solution Public Information Centre No. 3 Select Public preferred Information design Centre concept No. 3 Select preferred design concept PHASE 4 Complete Environmental Study Report (ESR) ESR Complete placed Environmental on public record Study for review Report and (ESR) comment ESR placed on public record for review and comment PHASE 5 Complete contract drawings and tender documents Proceed Complete to construction contract drawings and operation and tender documents Monitor Proceed for to environmental construction provisions and operation and comments Monitor for environmental provisions and comments
EXISTING SEPTIC SYSTEMS An analysis of existing Oxford County Public Health and Emergency Services records was completed to determine the age of existing septic systems Analysis results were combined with lot size information to identify: Aging systems that will need to be replaced in the near future Properties where there is insufficient space to install a conventional septic system or an advanced treatment system under the requirements of the current Ontario Building Code System Age Characteristics Number of Systems Between 0 and 25 Years Old 40 (19%) Current Ontario Building Code Criteria Estimated Maximum Number of Properties That Can Accommodate a Conventional Septic System Acceptable conventional septic system installation as per the Ontario Building Code 58 (28%) Number of Systems Between 25 and 35 Years Old 15 (7%) Estimated Maximum Number of Properties That Can Accommodate an Advanced Treatment System 58 (28%) Number of Systems More than 35 Years Old Total Number of Systems 154 (74%) 209 Estimated Minimum Number of Properties That Cannot Accommodate a Conventional or Advanced Treatment System and a Holding Tank Would be Required Total Number of Properties 93 (44%) 209 Notes: 1. Analysis completed with consistent soil and groundwater conditions throughout the community. Site specific soil and groundwater information would be required to select the system requirements for each property. 2. Number of properties requiring a conventional septic system, advanced treatment system or holding tank have been estimated based on consistent soil and groundwater conditions throughout the community. Actual numbers and percentages of conventional septic system, advanced treatment systems and holding tanks could vary based on site specific soils and groundwater information.
EXISTING SEPTIC SYSTEMS Description Existing systems that are less than 25 years old and meet the requirements of the current Ontario Building Code Existing systems that are between 25 and 35 years old and meet the requirements of the current Ontario Building Code Estimated maximum number of existing systems that are more than 35 years old and can be replaced by a conventional septic system Estimated maximum number of existing systems that are more than 35 years old and can be replaced by an advanced on-site treatment system Estimated minimum number of existing systems that are more than 35 years olds and must be replaced by a holding tank Number of Existing Systems 14 systems (7%) 3 systems (1%) 46 systems (22%) 55 systems (26%) 91 systems (44%) Typical Replacement Costs - - $12K - $15K $15K - $20K $5K Typical Annual Operating Costs Low Notes: 1. Colour red represents systems that are beyond their expected life span and will require replacement in the short term. 2. Costs presented are typical costs incurred by homeowners in South West Ontario. This study will develop specific costs for homeowners in Princeton and will also consider how costs will be financed. Low Low Low High
FUTURE CONDITIONS Existing population in the community is estimated to be 973 persons (residential and equivalent nonresidential population) Any growth will occur within the current community boundary Future estimated population of 1,648 persons (residential and equivalent nonresidential population) Estimated future wastewater volume of approximately 700 m 3 /day for the Community of Princeton. Projected Population Population and Flow Projections for Community of Princeton 2000 1500 1000 500 0 0 2011 Future Year Population Flow Projection 800 600 400 200 Projected Flow (m 3 /d)
PROBLEM/ OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT It is estimated that 192 of 209 existing septic systems (92% of all existing systems) will require replacement due to age in the short term or do not meet the requirements of the current Ontario Building Code There is existing or planned capacity available at existing wastewater treatment facilities that serve neighbouring communities that could be used to service Princeton
ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS All reasonable alternative solutions must be evaluated as part of the Class EA process Alternative solutions that are being developed for this study include: Continue to provide support and public education to residents on proper operation and maintenance of their septic systems and continue to inspect existing systems Upgrade existing septic systems to meet the requirements of the current Ontario Building Code, when required, and install new septic systems or advanced treatment systems for future development Construct a new communal wastewater collection system and treatment facility in Princeton to provide wastewater servicing to existing residents and future development Construct a new communal wastewater collection system in Princeton and pump wastewater for treatment to an existing neighbouring community wastewater treatment facility to provide wastewater servicing to existing residents and future development
WE WANT YOUR COMMENTS Please the take time to fill in a Comment Sheet Please review and comment on the problem statement, proposed evaluation criteria and alternative solutions. Return your comment sheet by November 24, 2011 Thank you for your participation! Your comments will be important and will be considered. If you would like to be included on our Study Mailing List, please contact: Ms. Melissa Abercrombie, P.Eng. Oxford County 21 Reeve Street, PO Box 1614 Woodstock, Ontario N4S 7Y3 Tel. 519-539-9800 Fax. 519-421-4711 mabercrombie@oxfordcounty.ca