Duffin Creek WPCP Expansion

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Globe & Mail  - Beach of burden: Ajax pins its algae problem
on York's sewage - March 9, 2013 

 

 

Background

Currently, an environmental assessment of the plant's outfall in Lake Ontario is underway by York and Durham to release greater volumes of effluent into Lake water, raising serious concerns about increased threats to the Town of Ajax's shoreline and, importantly, the future of Lake Ontario for drinking and recreational purposes.

Facts

  • Plant outfall proposed to release 630 million litres per day of effluent into
    Lake Ontario just 1 km from the Ajax-Pickering shoreline
  • Plant outfall currently releases approximately 340 million litres per day with MOE permission to increase it to 520 million litres per day
  • 80% of the sewage to be treated is from York Region
  • The expansion is required to accommodate approximately 400,000 new York Region residents – or 150,000 housing units – expected by 2031

Reasons to be concerned

  • excessive nuisance algal growth across nearshore areas in the Lake and odours
  • threatened local municipal drinking water
  • lost recreation and tourism opportunities

Proposed action

Ajax is calling on the Regions to select the best possible preferred alternative that includes:

  • the installation of advanced technology to improve removal of nutrients like phosphorus, as well as chemicals from pharmaceuticals and personal care products from the sewage before effluent enters the outfall and is dispersed into the Lake, and
  • the construction of a new outfall that discharges at least 3 kms offshore.

How to get involved

Residents of Ajax, Pickering and elsewhere in Durham are urged to become directly involved in this environmental assessment. The Regions expect to complete the EA process in Fall 2013. As the Regions are required to address any issues and concerns raised by the community in a manner that is satisfactory to the Ministry of the Environment, it's very important that individuals review the Regions reports and express their views to the Regions and the Ministry over the next year. For more information regarding the project, visit www.durham.ca/outfallEA.

Email your concerns to:

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