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Caledonia Wastewater Treatment Plant Schedule C Municipal Class Environmental Assessment

Caledonia Wastewater Treatment Plant

Overview

Map of Caledonia Wasterwater Treatment Plan Municipal Class Assessment study areaHaldimand County is undertaking a Schedule C Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) to determine the preferred wastewater treatment alternative to increase wastewater treatment capacity for Caledonia.

In December 2020, J.L. Richards & Associates Limited completed the Draft Caledonia Wastewater Master Servicing Plan (MSP) Update, updating the wastewater servicing components of the 2006 Caledonia MSP. The Draft MSP Update reflected updated land use and growth forecasts in the study area. As part of the MSP Update, near-term and future wastewater treatment needs were identified, and wastewater treatment alternatives were evaluated to address projected treatment capacity constraints.

Growth within the community of Caledonia has been steady and there are vacant lands allocated to accommodate future growth. Servicing future growth creates an opportunity to evaluate and select a long-term wastewater treatment alternative that will support sustainable growth and development within the community. To achieve this, this Schedule C MCEA is being completed to evaluate alternatives to address the wastewater treatment needs in Caledonia. Haldimand County is conducting this Study according to the requirements of Phases 1 to 4 of the MCEA, which is an approved process under the Environmental Assessment Act.

The Phase 1&2 Public Information Centre (PIC No. 1) was held on December 6, 2023, to present the recommended wastewater servicing alternative. The recommendation presented at PIC No. 1 was to construct a new wastewater treatment plant on the south side of Caledonia with shared treatment with the existing Caledonia WWTP. After selecting the preferred treatment alternative, the Study is proceeding to Phases 3 and 4 to develop and evaluate design concepts. Another Public Information Centre will be held to present and gather input from the community on the Phase 3 and 4 preliminary recommendation (PIC No. 2). Following PIC No. 2, the Environmental Study Report (ESR) will be placed on public record for 30-day review.

Caledonia Wastewater Treatment Plant Schedule C MCEA - Project Details

Consultants and Methodology

J.L. Richards and Associates Ltd. was retained by Haldimand County to lead the Schedule C MCEA. This Study is being conducted in accordance with Phases 1 through 4 of the Municipal Engineers Association (MEA) Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) process (Updated November 2015) to fulfill the requirements for Schedule C projects.

Study Area Location and Map

Map of Caledonia Wasterwater Treatment Plan Municipal Class Assessment study area

Phase 1 & 2 – Recommendation

An evaluation was conducted of five potential long-term wastewater servicing options including:

  • Alternative 1 – Do Nothing
  • Alternative 2 – Increasing wastewater treatment capacity at/or near the existing Caledonia wastewater treatment plant (WWTP),
  • Alternative 3 – A new south side WWTP with shared treatment with the existing Caledonia WWTP
  • Alternative 4 – A new south side WWTP and decommission the existing Caledonia WWTP,
  • Alternative 5 – Pumping all or some wastewater to a new potential WWTP in Nanticoke.

From the evaluation of the natural and cultural environment, technical environment, and economic environment it is recommended to proceed with Alternative 3, which is a new south side WWTP with shared treatment with the existing Caledonia WWTP. It is, however, anticipated that the County will transition to a single plant (Alternative 4) when the existing Caledonia WWTP approaches the end of its useful life and requires major rehabilitation and repair.

Alternative 3 generally consists of expanding the existing Nairne sewage pumping station (SPS), expanding the McClung sewage pumping station, potentially constructing a second river crossing across the Grand River, and constructing a phased 7,000 m3/day WWTP. The new WWTP would ultimately be constructed with a capacity of 13,400 m3/day, when the existing plant is decommissioned.

Phase 3 & 4 – Next Steps

The Study is proceeding to Phases 3 and 4 of the Municipal Engineers Association (MEA) Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) process to fulfill the requirements for Schedule C projects. In Phases 3 and 4, consideration will be given to alternative design concepts for the Preferred Solution, and an Environmental Study Report (ESR) will be prepared. As part of Phases 3 and 4, the County is discussing proposed effluent criteria with the Ministry of Environment Conservation and Parks (MECP). The County’s consultant is also reviewing potential treatment alternatives to meet the anticipated effluent objectives. Work is advancing on confirming conveyance alternatives (i.e. pumping station expansions, forcemain routes, and river crossing locations). A Public Information Centre will be held to present the Phase 3 and 4 preliminary recommendations (PIC No. 2). Following PIC No. 2, the ESR will be placed on public record for 30-day review.

Communications and Outreach

Channels of Communications

Public, agency and rightsholders consultation is a key element of the process and input will be sought throughout the MCEA process. The Schedule C MCEA includes a public engagement and consultation program with outreach to groups and seeking input from interested parties, individuals, businesses, and groups in Haldimand County.

Some groups consulted include:

  • Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
  • Grand River Conservation Authority
  • Haudenosaunee Development Institute
  • Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
  • Six Nations of The Grand River

Contact information

A mailing list for notification of study status and opportunities for public input is being compiled. If you wish to add your contact information to the study mailing list or if you have any questions regarding the study, please contact one of the people listed below.

Jane Wilson, P. Eng.
J.L. Richards & Associates Limited
107-450 Speedvale Avenue West
Guelph, ON N1H 7Y6
Phone: 226-780-7487
Email: jwilson@jlrichards.ca

Philip Wilson
Manager, Water & Wastewater Engineering
Haldimand County
Phone: 905-318-5932 ext. 6431
Email: pwilson@haldimandcounty.on.ca