Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan
Consultation has concluded
The goal of the Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan is to ensure the City’s wastewater (everything flushed down your sinks, drains, and toilets) is managed in a way that is sustainable, protects our waterways and the environment. The Master Plan is the City's long-term plan that will look at how the City is currently managing Guelph's wastewater and how we can continue to meet the demands of Guelph's growing population now until 2051.
The draft master plan considers:
- Advances in treatment technologies.
- Changes in wastewater treatment plant infrastructure needs and legislation.
- Sustainable and cost efficient wastewater treatment concepts that mitigate climate change and contribute to reaching the City’s goal of using 100 per cent renewable energy sources by 2050.
- Guelph’s growing population and it’s impact on the wastewater treatment process and Speed River’s capacity.
- How it will contribute to achieving the strategic priorities set out through the City’s Strategic Plan.
Class Environmental Assessment Schedule Change
The Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan was originally initiated to satisfy the requirements of a Schedule B Class Environmental Assessment (EA). To complete the Class EA planning process for recommended projects needed in the short term, the Class EA scope has been expanded to fulfil the requirements of a Schedule C study. Following completion of a Schedule C Class EA study, projects are eligible for implementation through detailed design and construction.
For the Schedule C Class EA, Phases 1-4 of the Class EA process are being completed. This includes development of an implementation plan, a third community open house and documentation of the study in an Environmental Study Report (ESR).
Have your say
The Environmental Study Report (ESR) 30 day public review period has now completed. View the notice of completion and the project files on our website.
If you have any questions or comments please contact both:
Tim Robertson
Division Manager, Wastewater Services
Environmental Services
519-822-1260 extension 2264
Jillian Schmitter, Project Manager
Jacobs Engineering Group
519-514-1622
The goal of the Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan is to ensure the City’s wastewater (everything flushed down your sinks, drains, and toilets) is managed in a way that is sustainable, protects our waterways and the environment. The Master Plan is the City's long-term plan that will look at how the City is currently managing Guelph's wastewater and how we can continue to meet the demands of Guelph's growing population now until 2051.
The draft master plan considers:
- Advances in treatment technologies.
- Changes in wastewater treatment plant infrastructure needs and legislation.
- Sustainable and cost efficient wastewater treatment concepts that mitigate climate change and contribute to reaching the City’s goal of using 100 per cent renewable energy sources by 2050.
- Guelph’s growing population and it’s impact on the wastewater treatment process and Speed River’s capacity.
- How it will contribute to achieving the strategic priorities set out through the City’s Strategic Plan.
Class Environmental Assessment Schedule Change
The Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan was originally initiated to satisfy the requirements of a Schedule B Class Environmental Assessment (EA). To complete the Class EA planning process for recommended projects needed in the short term, the Class EA scope has been expanded to fulfil the requirements of a Schedule C study. Following completion of a Schedule C Class EA study, projects are eligible for implementation through detailed design and construction.
For the Schedule C Class EA, Phases 1-4 of the Class EA process are being completed. This includes development of an implementation plan, a third community open house and documentation of the study in an Environmental Study Report (ESR).
Have your say
The Environmental Study Report (ESR) 30 day public review period has now completed. View the notice of completion and the project files on our website.
If you have any questions or comments please contact both:
Tim Robertson
Division Manager, Wastewater Services
Environmental Services
519-822-1260 extension 2264
Jillian Schmitter, Project Manager
Jacobs Engineering Group
519-514-1622
Thank you for your interest in the Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan. We invite you to learn more by visiting the project page and viewing FAQs. Please provide your questions and we will aim to have answers in five business days,
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Share Dose Guelph ban garburators on Facebook Share Dose Guelph ban garburators on Twitter Share Dose Guelph ban garburators on Linkedin Email Dose Guelph ban garburators link
Dose Guelph ban garburators
RForrestSmith asked over 2 years agoHello! Sorry for the delay in this response.
The City’s sewer use bylaw does not permit the use of garburators. Organic material should be placed in the green bins for further processing at the Waste Resource Innovation Centre. https://guelph.ca/living/environment/garbage-and-recycling/
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Share Do like the concept of community engagement with regard to issues pertaining to Guelph. Elders would most likely contribute a great deal but many are not computer literate. Possible to engage local newspaper to explain this issue? on Facebook Share Do like the concept of community engagement with regard to issues pertaining to Guelph. Elders would most likely contribute a great deal but many are not computer literate. Possible to engage local newspaper to explain this issue? on Twitter Share Do like the concept of community engagement with regard to issues pertaining to Guelph. Elders would most likely contribute a great deal but many are not computer literate. Possible to engage local newspaper to explain this issue? on Linkedin Email Do like the concept of community engagement with regard to issues pertaining to Guelph. Elders would most likely contribute a great deal but many are not computer literate. Possible to engage local newspaper to explain this issue? link
Do like the concept of community engagement with regard to issues pertaining to Guelph. Elders would most likely contribute a great deal but many are not computer literate. Possible to engage local newspaper to explain this issue?
about 3 years agoNewspaper advertisements have been used to notify the public of Project Initiation and both Public Open Houses and will be used to notify the public of Project Completion. Our engagement efforts have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and have been offered entirely online however our project team is happy to provide informaiton and have discussion with members of the public who do not have access to, or comfort with, computers.
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Share Investigate removal of microplastics from water using ferrofluids/magnets on Facebook Share Investigate removal of microplastics from water using ferrofluids/magnets on Twitter Share Investigate removal of microplastics from water using ferrofluids/magnets on Linkedin Email Investigate removal of microplastics from water using ferrofluids/magnets link
Investigate removal of microplastics from water using ferrofluids/magnets
about 3 years agoMicroplastic removal with ferrofluids/magnets was not investigated as part of this Master Plan, as the focus for wastewater treatment technologies was on those that have full-scale installations at municipal wastewater treatment plants. However, if this technology becomes more prevalent in wastewater treatment in the future, it could be investigated during future Master Plan updates.
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Share The money being used to expand this facility will be Guelph Tax dollars. I am sure most people will be happy that the treatment plant is being expanded to handle a larger volume capacity. However, if this presentation was presented to the tax payers with all the options on the table - I am sure Guelph Tax payers would vote for a renewable energy option. on Facebook Share The money being used to expand this facility will be Guelph Tax dollars. I am sure most people will be happy that the treatment plant is being expanded to handle a larger volume capacity. However, if this presentation was presented to the tax payers with all the options on the table - I am sure Guelph Tax payers would vote for a renewable energy option. on Twitter Share The money being used to expand this facility will be Guelph Tax dollars. I am sure most people will be happy that the treatment plant is being expanded to handle a larger volume capacity. However, if this presentation was presented to the tax payers with all the options on the table - I am sure Guelph Tax payers would vote for a renewable energy option. on Linkedin Email The money being used to expand this facility will be Guelph Tax dollars. I am sure most people will be happy that the treatment plant is being expanded to handle a larger volume capacity. However, if this presentation was presented to the tax payers with all the options on the table - I am sure Guelph Tax payers would vote for a renewable energy option. link
The money being used to expand this facility will be Guelph Tax dollars. I am sure most people will be happy that the treatment plant is being expanded to handle a larger volume capacity. However, if this presentation was presented to the tax payers with all the options on the table - I am sure Guelph Tax payers would vote for a renewable energy option.
about 3 years agoEnergy efficiency and greenhouse gas generation projections were developed for each alternative and considered in the evaluation. Alternatives that are more energy efficient and minimize greenhouse gas emissions receive higher scores. We are proud to let the peope in Guelph know that some components of the preferred solution are projected to have a net positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions in the City.
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Share Perhaps additional details about the eliminated long-list options, descriptions of the alternatives, costs, etc. could have been provided in a "handout"/ additional details link. Curious what additional First Nations engagement has been completed. on Facebook Share Perhaps additional details about the eliminated long-list options, descriptions of the alternatives, costs, etc. could have been provided in a "handout"/ additional details link. Curious what additional First Nations engagement has been completed. on Twitter Share Perhaps additional details about the eliminated long-list options, descriptions of the alternatives, costs, etc. could have been provided in a "handout"/ additional details link. Curious what additional First Nations engagement has been completed. on Linkedin Email Perhaps additional details about the eliminated long-list options, descriptions of the alternatives, costs, etc. could have been provided in a "handout"/ additional details link. Curious what additional First Nations engagement has been completed. link
Perhaps additional details about the eliminated long-list options, descriptions of the alternatives, costs, etc. could have been provided in a "handout"/ additional details link. Curious what additional First Nations engagement has been completed.
about 3 years agoRegarding First Nations engagement, the team has been engaged with impacted Indigenous and First Nations communities throughout the project, as required for the Class EA process. The City is in the process of building relationships with First Nations and Indigenous groups with the goal of conducting meaningful engagement on projects such as this one.
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Share show on the survey how many have already taken it. other wise how would I know if anyone else was engaged? on Facebook Share show on the survey how many have already taken it. other wise how would I know if anyone else was engaged? on Twitter Share show on the survey how many have already taken it. other wise how would I know if anyone else was engaged? on Linkedin Email show on the survey how many have already taken it. other wise how would I know if anyone else was engaged? link
show on the survey how many have already taken it. other wise how would I know if anyone else was engaged?
about 3 years agoOur question was intended to get feedback about how the process was for you as a participant. We appreciate that you might want to know more about our engagement analytics too. This information will be presented in the public open house report, as part of the Master Plan. The report provides detailed information on the number of people who visited the web page and who completed the survey. All responses to comments are located on www.haveyoursay.guelph.ca.
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Share Not enough focus on environmental concerns on Facebook Share Not enough focus on environmental concerns on Twitter Share Not enough focus on environmental concerns on Linkedin Email Not enough focus on environmental concerns link
Not enough focus on environmental concerns
about 3 years agoEnvironmental impacts will be clearly outlined in the Master Plan report, which will be available for public review.
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Share If there was an anaerobic digestor on site less biosolid waste storage would be required and odor control would not been needed, since the biosolids would ferment in the digestor and thus would not have an odor. on Facebook Share If there was an anaerobic digestor on site less biosolid waste storage would be required and odor control would not been needed, since the biosolids would ferment in the digestor and thus would not have an odor. on Twitter Share If there was an anaerobic digestor on site less biosolid waste storage would be required and odor control would not been needed, since the biosolids would ferment in the digestor and thus would not have an odor. on Linkedin Email If there was an anaerobic digestor on site less biosolid waste storage would be required and odor control would not been needed, since the biosolids would ferment in the digestor and thus would not have an odor. link
If there was an anaerobic digestor on site less biosolid waste storage would be required and odor control would not been needed, since the biosolids would ferment in the digestor and thus would not have an odor.
about 3 years agoThe Guelph WWTP currently has 4 anaerobic digesters onsite that are used for sludge stabilization, producing biosolids. The odour control facility is mainly to mitigate any potential odours from the new integrated primary sludge and WAS thickening facility and from the new dewatering facility.
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Share for someone that is not in waste water treatment the presentation used language that most people are unfamiliar with. The only reason I kind of knew what was being presented was because of the Magic School Bus. on Facebook Share for someone that is not in waste water treatment the presentation used language that most people are unfamiliar with. The only reason I kind of knew what was being presented was because of the Magic School Bus. on Twitter Share for someone that is not in waste water treatment the presentation used language that most people are unfamiliar with. The only reason I kind of knew what was being presented was because of the Magic School Bus. on Linkedin Email for someone that is not in waste water treatment the presentation used language that most people are unfamiliar with. The only reason I kind of knew what was being presented was because of the Magic School Bus. link
for someone that is not in waste water treatment the presentation used language that most people are unfamiliar with. The only reason I kind of knew what was being presented was because of the Magic School Bus.
about 3 years agoThank you for the feedback. That is one of our favourite episodes of Magic School Bus. We will work to make future materials as clear as possible. If you have any questions, please reach out to the project team for further discussion.
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Share Options for storage and odour control were unclear on Facebook Share Options for storage and odour control were unclear on Twitter Share Options for storage and odour control were unclear on Linkedin Email Options for storage and odour control were unclear link
Options for storage and odour control were unclear
about 3 years agoThank you for this feedback. To be clear, biosolids storage was selected to provide operational flexibility at the Guelph WWTP during the winter months when land application of the Lystek product is not possible. Odour control was included as a component to mitigate any potential odour impacts from the new solids handling.
Key Dates
Photos
Videos
Life Cycle
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Start
Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan has finished this stageNotification of Commencement (Summer 2020)
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Phase 1
Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan has finished this stageIdentify and describe problem(s) and opportunities (Fall 2020)
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Community Liaison Group meeting 1
Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan has finished this stageFall 2020
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Virtual Community Open House
Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan has finished this stageInform and obtain feedback on project (Fall 2020)
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Phase 2
Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan has finished this stageIdentify and evaluate alternative solutions and establish the preferred solution(s) (Winter 2020 and Spring 2021)
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Community Liaison Group meeting 2
Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan has finished this stageSpring 2021
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Virtual Community Open House
Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan has finished this stageInform and obtain feedback on preferred solution(s) (Spring 2021)
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Changed Class EA Schedule
Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan has finished this stageIncreased the project to be completed as a Schedule C Municipal Class EA (from a Schedule B). This will allow the City to proceed to implement the short-term recommendations without additional studies. (Fall 2021)
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Phase 3
Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan has finished this stageSelect preferred alternatives and develop detailed implementation plan. (Fall 2021-Winter 2022)
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Community Liaison Group meeting 3
Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan has finished this stageWinter 2021
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Virtual Community Open House
Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan has finished this stageInform and obtain feedback on the recommendations and implementation plan. (Winter/Spring 2022)
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Phase 4
Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan has finished this stagePrepare the Environmental Study Report (ESR) (Spring 2022)
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30 day review period
Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan has finished this stageStarting January 26, 2023. Please provide comments by February 24, 2023
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Project complete
Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan is currently at this stage
Who's listening
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Email tim.robertson@guelph.ca -
FAQs
- What is the Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan?
- What is a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Process? What does this mean for the Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan?
- Why does Guelph’s Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan need to be updated?
- When will the Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan Update be complete?
- What happens after the Master Plan is completed?
- Are other City initiatives related to the Wastewater Treatment and Biosolids Management Master Plan Update?
- How have the projected future water demands been considered with the current and future capacity of the Guelph WWTP?
Documents
- CE771800_GuelphWWTBM-ClassEA-Report.pdf (2.27 MB) (pdf)
- Appendix A Technical Information .pdf (17 MB) (pdf)
- Appendix B Community Engagement.pdf (9.6 MB) (pdf)
- Appendix C First Nations Engagement.pdf (3.4 MB) (pdf)
- Appendix D Communications.pdf (998 KB) (pdf)
- Virtual open house #3 presentation panels.pdf (1.7 MB) (pdf)
- COH2_Panels_FINAL AODA B - Update.pdf (2 MB) (pdf)
- Wastewater and biosolids dispay boards - Oct 27 2020.pdf (1.27 MB) (pdf)