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The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, JulY 22, 2003-9 Halton sewage treatment plants have saved to breaking millions in infrastructure costs, savs Region nw ny JASON MSNER Mr. Elgar said if's imperative the sewage Mr. Murphy said other municipalities are to create a higher quality effluent, he said, please The Champion review program cure what he perceives as looking at making sewage treatment plants but there's been a shift. cati us Halton's detailed review of how its seven phosphomus concems. more efficient through a simîlar optimiza- ILs a change in mind-set," he said. at (905) sewage treatment plants operate bas saved "The optimnization programn overall had tion program. . 878-2341, millions of taxpayers' dollars in infrastruc- better address thse phosphorous levels and For a long timne engineers relied on plant Jason Misner can be reached atimiis- x.24 ture costs and is a big reason why tise tise odours emnanating from tise plant." expansion to handlle moire ext. 234. r »rn An information report released to the Region 's planning and public works com- mittee recently shows the optimization review that started a decade ago is paying off in fewer dollars needed to build more plant capacity while producing al-impor- tant clean effluent - dlean water flowing out of the plant. "We've found fantastic results from that," said Patrick Murphy, Halton's com- missioner of planning and public works. The report noted Halton bas received some awards and recognition for its sewage review program. What the optimization review does is study various steps along tihe treatment process, from the time sewage enters the plant to the treated effluent that leaves, to sce how they'rc ail operating. t helps determine if the existing plant can be improved in some form to handle additional human waste without having to expand it, which typically is an expensive venture. Burlington Skyway and Milton's waste- water treatment plants are the hest exam- pIes that didn*t need massive physical upgrades, the report points out. Huge savings The Region saved $17 million in Burîington and $6 million in Milton. At Burlington's Skyway, for example, the Region maximized the existing plant capabilities by reducing the amounit of phosphorus and ammonia outfall. The report states that a reduced amount of phosphorous concentrations in the H-amilton Harbour bas been 'noticeable." The Region sets aside an average of about $700,000 a year to make any changes through tise review proccss. Regional Chair Joyce Savoline took the opportunity to pat the Region on the hack for the program, which she said I-lton was one of thse first municipalities to stant. "Wc've heen incrementally working on the programn and it bas shown incredible results,- she said. "What we know is we've got some incredible staff with an incredible passion for this program." Despite the success of the review pro- gram, sewagc plant expansion is still nec- essary at imes. The Region carlier approved expanding the mid-Halton sewage treatment plant, on North Service Road, by tens of thousands of cuhic metres a day. at a cost of $25 mil- lion. lt will service massive growth needs in north Oakville, as well as south Milton and pant of Halton Hilis along the H-wy. 401 corridor. The expansion caused consternation among residents living near the plant who feut increased flows could harm the envi- ronment. Oakville Regional Councillor Allan Elgar was among the opposed. He said while the optimization report sourids good.- hes concemned by thse con- tinued formation of snielly algae along Lake Ontanios south shoreline. and he feels the mnid-Halton plant is a culprit. Mr. Elgar said the total phosphorous coming from the mid-Halton is double what's coming out of the Skyway. (The outflow from both plants exceeds the provincial requirementsl. ner'emilIUILL unuobncnumpicoy>p I A scWitge wasie or ?-fi iirl MM IS4 mo nul mm