Mid-Halton Wastewater (Sewage) Treatment Plant Expansion And Effluent Sewer Public Information Centre # 1 May 14, 2009

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1 INFORMATION BRIEF MID-HALTON WASTEWATER (SEWAGE) TREATMENT PLANT EXPANSION AND EFFLUENT SEWER SCHEDULE C CLASS ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PUBLIC INFORMATION CENTRE (PIC) # 1 1 Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Process This study, which is being undertaken as Phases 3 and 4 of a Schedule C Class Environmental Assessment, is to investigate the wastewater treatment expansion and effluent discharge alternatives for the Mid-Halton Wastewater (Sewage) Treatment Plant, which is located on the North Service Road in Oakville between Bronte Road and the Third Line. The Phases 1 and 2 requirements of this Schedule C Class EA were fulfilled in the Master Plan Update (2008). This study is following the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Process for Schedule C projects set by the Municipal Engineers Association (MEA, October 2000, as amended in 2007). Phase 3 and 4 of this process will include the following: Phase 3 Phase 4 Identification and Evaluation of Alternative Design Concepts for the Preferred Solution, Consultation with Review Agencies and Public, and Selection of the Preferred Design Concepts, considering public and agency input. Completion of an Environmental Study Report (ESR), including giving Notice of Completion to Agencies and the Public and placing the ESR on the Public Record for Public and Agency Review over a period of at least 30 calendar days. Following the Notice of Completion, there is an opportunity for any party to request the Minister of the Environment, by order, to require the Region to comply with Part II Order of the Environmental Assessment Act. 2 Future Notifications Future notification for public and agency consultation will take place during this. Methods of contacting the public will include: advertisements in newspapers; mobile signs located in the Study Area; notices mailed to homes and businesses in the Study Area; the project webpage on Halton s website; and notification to those individuals who, during the course of the project, have requested direct notification of future project announcements.

2 3 Your Questions/ uestions/comments are InvitedI You are encouraged to review the information being presented, ask questions of Region and Consultant Team personnel in attendance and provide any comments you may have in writing in the Comment Form. The completed Comment Form can be left in the comment box at this meeting, or sent by mail/fax to the address below by May 28, Some copies of the PIC display material are available at the sign-in desk, but if there are not sufficient copies available, you can indicate on the sign-in sheet that you need a copy and one will be mailed to you after the PIC. Alternatively, all the PIC display materials can be downloaded from To help you understand the terminology use in the displays, a Glossary of Terms is attached to this Information Brief. 4 Next Steps This project is expected to proceed as follows: First PIC Comments due to be received by May 28, 2009 Second PIC by Fall 2009 Draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) Finalize Environmental Study Report (ESR) Advertise Notice of Completion to review agencies and public ESR placed on Public Record for review for at least 30 calendar days Opportunity for Part II Order Requests to the Minister of the Environment after the Notice of Completion Mr. Guo (Mickey) Liu, P. Eng. Regional Municipality of Halton 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, Ontario L6M 3L1 Phone: ext Toll Free: TTY: Fax: mickey.liu@halton.ca Thank you for your interest and participation

3 ACS Aeration Tank Aerobic Anaerobic Biosolids BOD CAC CAS GLOSSARY OF TERMS Assimilative Capacity Study. Determines the ability of a receiver waterbody to accept the treated effluent without harmful effects or damage to aquatic life. Following primary treatment, contaminants dissolved in sewage are consumed by microorganisms in large tanks that are supplied with the oxygen (air) necessary for the survival of the microorganisms. In the presence of oxygen. In the absence of oxygen. A nutrient-rich organic material resulting from the treatment of sewage. Unprocessed sewage treatment sludge must at least be digested before being referred to as biosolids. Biosolids contain nitrogen and phosphorus along with other supplementary nutrients in smaller doses, such as potassium, sulphur, magnesium, calcium, copper and zinc. Biochemical Oxygen Demand Citizen Advisory Committee Conventional Activated Sludge. A biological process in which sewage is initially settled in primary clarifiers to remove sludge for digestion treatment, with the clarified sewage then combined with microorganisms (activated sludge) in an aeration tank for further treatment and subsequent separation of treated effluent in final clarifiers. Sludge from final clarifiers is returned to the aeration basins and excess waste activated sludge is generally combined with primary sludge for digestion treatment.

4 Clarifier Dewatered Cake Dewatering Digester Effluent Effluent Polishing Effluent Sewer Environmental Assessment (EA) ESR Ferric Chloride A tank or basin in which sewage is held for a period of time, during which the heavier solids (referred to as sludge) settle to the bottom and any lighter materials present (referred to as scum) float to the water surface. Used in both primary and secondary treatment. Biosolids that have been dewatered to greater than 20 percent dry solids to produce a material of soil-like consistency. A process used to remove water from biosolids producing dewatered cake that contains greater than 20 percent dry solids. A tank in which solid material removed from sewage (including raw and/or waste activated sludge) is placed to allow for decomposition by microorganisms over a treatment period of at least 15 days. When anaerobic conditions are maintained, the major products of digestion are biosolids, carbon dioxide, ammonia and methane. Methane gas may be recovered as a fuel source. Significant reduction in levels of pathogens is achieved. The treated, cleaned discharge from sewage treatment plants. See Tertiary Treatment. Sewer pipe that conveys sewage effluent to an outfall. A comprehensive and systematic process designed to identify, analyze and evaluate the environmental effects of proposed projects. Environmental Study Report A chemical compound of iron and chlorine used to cause phosphorus particles in the sewage to settle to the bottom of treatment units and then

5 be removed with the sludge produced in the treatment process. In sewage treatment, this means that both iron and phosphorus are carried into raw sludge and waste activated sludge (WAS). Grit Removal Master Plan MBR MLD MOE MNR N NIA Outfall Pathogens An element of preliminary treatment used to remove heavy materials, such as sand and gravel, from the sewage arriving at the treatment plant. The settled material is removed and sent to landfill. A comprehensive plan to guide long-term development in a particular area that is broad in scope. It focuses on the analysis of a system for the purpose of outlining a framework for use in future individual projects. A Wastewater and Water Servicing Master Plan developed by Halton Region identified the need for expanding the Mid-Halton Wastewater (Sewage) Treatment Plant. Membrane Bioreactor Million litres per day Ministry of Environment Ministry of Natural Resources Nitrogen Natural Inventory Assessment The discharge pipe that carries sewage treatment plant effluent to a receiving body of water. The effluent leaves the pipe through a series of diffuser ports, not unlike giant shower heads, that ensure the effluent is rapidly and effectively diffused into the lake environment to minimize environmental impacts. Disease-causing organisms, including bacteria, viruses and parasites (protozoa and helminthic worms). Their numbers and types in sewage, raw

6 sludge, waste activated sludge (WAS) and biosolids depend on: the season of the year; sanitary habits, population density and rates of disease in the servicing area; and, the type and performance of sewage and sludge treatment processes. Plume Preliminary Treatment Primary Treatment PWQO Raw Sludge RBC The path taken by effluent once it is discharged from an outfall into a receiving body of water, prior to its complete mixing with the receiving water. Initial part of the sewage treatment process that removes large objects such rocks, rags, sand, tree branches and similar materials that may hinder the operation of a treatment plant. Preliminary treatment is accomplished by using equipment such as racks, bar screens and grit removal systems. The physical removal of and readily settling solids, and fats and oils from sewage by clarifiers and/or skimming devices. Initial part of the sewage treatment process that removes large objects such rocks, rags, sand, tree branches and similar materials that may hinder the operation of a treatment plant. Preliminary treatment is accomplished by using equipment such as racks, bar screens and grit removal systems. Provincial Water Quality Objectives The solid materials collected from primary treatment (i.e., sludge and scum from primary clarifiers). Rotating Biological Contactors

7 Return Activated Sludge (RAS) Sanitary Sewer SBR SEIA Secondary Treatment Sewage Sewage Treatment Plant (or Wastewater Treatment Plant) Screening SS Tertiary Treatment The portion of the solid materials collected from secondary treatment (i.e., secondary clarifiers) returned to the aeration tanks to sustain biological activity there. Sewer pipe that conveys sewage to a sewage treatment plant. Part of the sewage collection system. Sequencing Batch Reactor Social economic Impact Assessment Biological sewage treatment process that occurs in two steps. First, microorganisms are used to break down contaminants dissolved in sewage that are organic in origin. This occurs in a series of aerated tanks. Second, microorganisms and other solid materials are then settled out of the sewage in secondary clarifiers. The liquid waste products of domestic, industrial, agricultural and manufacturing activities directed to the sanitary sewer system. A plant that treats urban sewage and discharges the treated effluent to a receiving body of water. An element of preliminary treatment used to remove large materials such as tree branches, rags and rocks from the sewage arriving at the treatment plant to prevent damage to downstream treatment equipment. The screened material is removed and sent to landfill. Suspended Solids Final treatment stage after secondary treatment to further improve the quality of effluent before it is discharged into the environment. Also known as Effluent Polishing.

8 Thickening TKN Total P or TP UV Disinfection Wastewater Wastewater Treatment Plant Waste Activated Sludge (WAS) A process used to increase the solids content of waste activated sludge by removing a portion of the water. Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen Total Phosphorus Ultra violet irradiation disinfection process that uses a light of a specific wavelength to penetrate the cells of microorganisms present in water to prevent them from replicating or to cause direct cell death. Sewage See Sewage Treatment Plant. The portion of the solid materials collected from secondary treatment (i.e., secondary clarifiers) not returned to the aeration tanks and destined for digestion.