[getsmart-l] Environment to benefit from advocacy by Town of Ajax

[Media Release]

Emacs!



Attention News Editors:

Environment to benefit from advocacy by Town of Ajax

SEWAGE PLANT SUBJECT TO NEW CONDITIONS

(Ajax, Ontario, March 23, 2007)  As a direct result of due diligence 
by the Town of Ajax and concerned environmental groups, the Duffins 
Creek Water Pollution Control Plant Expansion (also known as the Big 
Pipe project) will be subject to additional emission controls, 
project design and operational requirements.

In making her decision, the Honourable Laurel Broten, Minister of the 
Environment, agreed with the Town that there remain outstanding 
concerns not addressed in the original Environmental Study Report 
(ESR) filed by the Regions (York and Durham) with respect to odour 
impacts and the feasibility of extending the end of the pipe further 
into Lake Ontario (currently one km).

"Despite not ordering an Individual Environmental Assessment (EA), 
the list of conditions is very comprehensive," said Mayor Steve 
Parish.  "The new conditions the Minister is imposing, including the 
immediate commencement of an EA to address the limitations of the 
existing outfall/diffuser, clearly signal that further studies and 
assessment are needed to address key environmental concerns and the 
impacts of such a large-scale project."

"The Town will work with the Regions to ensure the project is 
implemented in accordance with the Minister's order," added Mayor Parish.

The Town has been working with the Regions since November 2005.  The 
following highlights some of the many changes that have resulted from 
the Town's involvement:

ESR:
Regions requested that the Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) 
operate at a rated capacity of 630 million litres per day (MLD).

Minister's Order:
Regions must not operate the WPCP at a rated capacity above 520 MLD. 
No approval to operate above 540 MLD will be granted until the 
outfall EA is complete.

-------------------------------------

ESR:
Regions requested continued use of an effluent compliance limit for 
phosphorus of 1 milligram per litre (mg/L).

Minister's Order:
Revised to achieve an objective of 0.6 mg/L within a compliance limit 
of 0.8 mg/L for phosphorus.

-------------------------------------

ESR:
No commitment to conduct an EA to expand the WPCP outfall/diffuser 
further into Lake Ontario to avoid nearshore contamination.

Minister's Order:
Regions must initiate a new EA within six weeks of obtaining all 
approvals for the WPCP expansion and provide a comprehensive timeline 
for this EA process.  Construction of the preferred outcome of the EA 
must begin within one year of necessary approvals.

-------------------------------------

ESR:
Regions requested continued use of the existing limit of 420 
kilograms of phosphorus per day.

Minister's Order:
Revised limit on phosphorus loading during the interim period, prior 
to outfall extension, to a maximum average of 311 kg/day on an annual 
basis, although the phosphorus loading compliance limit will remain 420
kg/day.

Regions have committed to take part in a number of initiatives to 
help manage phosphorus and algae.

-------------------------------------

ESR:
No comprehensive odour assessment/plan.

Minister's Order:
Within six months of this decision, the Regions shall design and 
implement a revised approach regarding monitoring, evaluating and 
controlling emissions from the WPCP, including a revised odour 
management plan and an odour complaint log.


"From the start, our objective was to protect the interests of Ajax 
residents and to ensure that our waterfront, including water quality 
located close to the WPCP and its outfall, will be better protected 
for decades to come," said Mayor Parish.  "This will only happen by 
raising regulatory standards and setting new standards that benefit 
our environment.  I'm confident that the new EA for the outfall 
extension will yield significant improvements to local water quality."

The WPCP is located on the border of Pickering and Ajax and is 
expected to handle sewage from up to 1.3 million people in both York 
and Durham Regions.

In addition to addressing environmental issues associated with the 
WPCP, the Town is developing a five year plan to implement measures 
that will effectively treat storm runoff from Ajax lands before it 
enters Lake Ontario and curb potential local sources of 
contaminants.  The first step is to complete detailed monitoring and 
analyses of Duffins Creek, Carruthers Creek and the Lake Ontario 
shoreline which is currently being conducted by the Town, Region of 
Durham and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA).  The 
objective of the program is to conduct and assess appropriate 
samples, identify sources of contaminants, and determine effective 
treatment measures.

-30-

For further information: Christie McLardie, Manager of 
Communications, (905) 619-2529, ext. 362 or (905) 999-8254
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