Haldimand County recognized for Grand River water quality improvement efforts

Haldimand County has been recognized by the Grand River Conservation Authority for its efforts to improve the water quality of the Grand River.

During the Grand River Conservation Authority’s annual Grand River Watershed Wide Optimization Program workshop on Tuesday, November 20, recognition awards were handed out to a number of municipalities for their water quality improvement efforts throughout 2017. All three of Haldimand County’s wastewater treatment plants discharging to the Grand River were recognized: Caledonia, Cayuga and Dunnville.

Caledonia’s wastewater treatment plant was the only plant in the entire Grand River watershed to receive gold recognition. The Dunnville plant received silver and Cayuga obtained bronze. To be recognized, municipalities are required to meet specific criteria related to environmental compliance regulations and performance reporting. Haldimand County met – and in some cases exceeded – recognition criteria.

The GRCA continuously works with municipal water managers and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to improve the operation of wastewater treatment plants.

The goal of the Wastewater Optimization Program is to raise the quality of the treated effluent that leaves the plant and enters a river or stream.

“This recent recognition fully demonstrates our commitment to protecting the natural environment by reducing pollutant discharges to the Grand River”, said Mayor Ken Hewitt. “These achievements are primarily a result of enhancing process control through data based decision-making and efforts to understand plant needs, which over time have saved the County a significant amount of money through infrastructure deferral,” he continued.

For more information about the County’s water and wastewater treatment operations, including water quality reports, visit the Water and Wastewater page.