Caledonia Wastewater Treatment Plant Schedule C Municipal Class Environmental Assessment

Through consultant J.L. Richards & Associates Ltd., we are undertaking a Schedule C Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) to determine the preferred wastewater treatment alternative to increase wastewater treatment capacity for Caledonia.

Project background

A Draft Update to the Caledonia Master Servicing Plan (MSP) of 2006 was completed in 2020. The Draft MSP Update included land use and growth forecasts for the area that identified the need for near-term and future wastewater treatment alternatives.

This MCEA re-evaluated the wastewater treatment alternatives identified in the Draft Update and confirmed the preferred alternative. Design concepts for the preferred alternative will then be developed following studies of the area’s archaeology, cultural heritage and ecology.

The study was conducted per Phases 1 through 4 of the MCEA process to fulfill the requirements for Schedule C projects.

Status and updates

We are now completing Phase 4 of the study. The preferred servicing solution is a phased approach intended to match growth and maintain operation of the existing wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) until it reaches the end of its useful life.

Phase 1 will see the development of a new WWTP and outfall located at 4300 River Road, as well as new conveyance infrastructure crossing the Grand River to redirect flows from the McClung sewage pump station (SPS) to the new WWTP.
Subsequent phases will include:
- Upgrades to McClung and Nairne SPSs
- Construction of a new south SPS
- Decommissioning the existing WWTP
- Directing all sanitary flows to the new WWTP through new and upgraded conveyance infrastructure.

Further details are presented in the Schedule 'C' Class EA Report, which has been placed on public record for a 30-day review period in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class EA Process.

Read the Environmental Study Report (PDF) Email comments to the Project Manager

Summary of Phases 1 and 2

Five potential long-term wastewater servicing options were evaluated:

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, the chosen alternative was Alternative 3.

This alternative consists of the following infrastructure upgrades:

New WWTP south of the Grand River at 4300 River Road
New river crossing from McClung SPS to the new WWTP
New sanitary forcemain to direct flows from the existing WWTP to the new WWTP
Upgrades to McClung SPS, Nairne SPS and Main SPS

Even with the selection of Alternative 3, it is anticipated that Haldimand County will ultimately 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.

Summary of Phase 3

The Phase 3 public Open House was held on November 19, 2024 to present recommendations.

During this phase, three potential design alternatives for the new wastewater treatment plant were evaluated based on financial, environmental, operational, and social considerations. The preliminary recommendations were presented at the open house, including treatment options, proposed timelines, conveyance routes and environmental mitigation measures.

Feedback from the Public Open House was carefully considered and used to help determine the preferred alternative for wastewater servicing in Caledonia. This alternative was then further assessed to identify potential impacts and propose appropriate mitigation measures. These findings and recommendations have been documented in the Environmental Study Report (ESR) under documents and resources.

Public engagement

The Public Open House for Phases 1 and 2 (Open House No. 1) was held on December 6, 2023, to present the recommended wastewater servicing alternative: constructing a new wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).

After selecting the preferred treatment alternative, the Study continued to Phases 3 and 4 to develop and evaluate design concepts.

A second Public Open House (Open House No. 2) was held on November 19, 2024, to present the Phase 3 preliminary recommendations, including treatment options, proposed timelines, conveyance routes and environmental mitigation measures.

Documents and resources

Notice of Commencement (PDF)
Notice of Public Open House No. 1 (PDF)
Public Open House No. 1 Presentation (PDF)
Notice of Public Open House No. 2 (PDF)
Public Open House No. 2 Presentation (PDF)
Schedule 'C' Class EA Environmental Study Report (ESR) (PDF)
Notice of Completion (PDF)

Not all project documents may be accessible to all users. If you require any special accommodation to access the project information or online material, please email accessibility@haldimandcounty.on.ca and we will work together to best share the information with you.

Project contacts

Please contact one of our team members listed below if you would like a copy of the appendices to the Environmental Study Report (ESR), if you have questions or comments, or would like to be added to the project mailing list:

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

Jessica Davidson
Project Manager, Water and Wastewater Capital Projects - Water & Wastewater Engineering
Haldimand County
53 Thorburn St. South
Cayuga, ON N0A 1E0
Phone: 905-318-5932 ext. 6272
Email: jdavidson@haldimandcounty.ca

What is a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment?

The Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) is an approved process that municipalities must follow under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. Class EA projects are classified in terms of schedules (A, B or C) depending on the degree of impact on the environment.

Class EA schedules

Schedule A projects include normal or emergency operational and maintenance activities. Environmental impacts of these projects are usually minimal and; therefore, they are considered pre-approved.

Schedule B projects involve improvements and minor expansions to existing facilities. There is some potential for adverse environmental impacts and; therefore, these projects go through a screening process including public consultation.

Schedule C projects involve the construction of new facilities and major expansions to existing facilities. These projects must go through the entire EA planning process.

Phases of the Municipal Class EA process

Identify problem/opportunity
Identify alternative solutions
Examine alternative design concepts for the preferred solution
Prepare Environmental Study report

Phases by schedule

Schedule A projects only require the completion of Phase 1.
Schedule B projects only require the completion of Phase 1 and Phase 2.
Schedule C projects must complete all phases.