• Water Services
• Wastewater Services

Wastewater Services

The Town's Wastewater Operators are responsible for overseeing the treatment of wastewater generated by The Blue Mountains.

The effluent from The Blue Mountains' treatment facilities is required to meet parameters established by the Ministry of the Environment for discharge to receiving waters.

Wastewater services consist of approximately 78 kilometres of wastewater collections mains and 851 manholes throughout the wastewater service area.

Treatment

The Craigleith Wastewater Treatment Plant is an extended aeration modification of the conventional activated sludge sewage treatment process. This form of treatment was selected to allow for the fluctuating loads associated with the recreational / seasonal residential area that is being serviced by the plant, and to limit the quantity of sludge generated by the plant. The treatment process selected (extended aeration) produces a very low volume of sludge compared to a conventional activated sludge plant.

Due to the sensitivity of the receiving body of water (the Mary Ward shoals area of Georgian Bay), the treatment process is required to produce a high quality effluent with a low level of phosphorus. In order to reduce phosphorus to the required level, it is necessary to apply a chemical coagulant (alum) and to provide tertiary treatment of the plant effluent prior to discharge. The tertiary treatment in this plant is achieved with gravity flow filters.

The treatment process consists of pre-treatment, aeration, clarifiers, digesters, tertiary, and effluent UV disinfection.

The Thornbury Wastewater Treatment Plant services the Thornbury, Lora Bay and Camperdown Service Areas. The Wastewater Treatment Plant is connected to the existing wastewater collection systems via two wastewater pumping facilities: Mill Street Wastewater Pumping Station and Lakeshore Road Wastewater Pumping Station. The Thornbury collection system consists of five pumping stations, two main lift stations, extended aeration treatment facility with phosphorous removal and U.V. disinfection. Waste sludge is stabilized in a lagoon followed by two polishing ponds.

Under normal conditions, all raw sewage flows by gravity to the main lift station and is pumped to the treatment facility. The treated wastewater is discharged at the east end of Bay Street into the Beaver River.

Where Does My Water Go After It Goes Down The Drain?

If you are connected to the Town's wastewater collection system, all the drains in your home are linked to a single pipe (called a lateral) that runs underground from your home to the roadway. At the roadway, the lateral connects to a larger pipe (called a trunk) and is directed to a wastewater treatment plant.

My Sewer Has Backed Up. Who Do I Contact?

During working hours (7:00am – 4:00pm) please contact the Craigleith Wastewater Treatment Plant at (705) 444-1164. After working hours please contact the Wastewater Emergency Pager at (705) 446-5041.

What Should Not Be Flushed Down The Toilet?

Household items such as dental floss, rags, plastic bags and feminine products should not be flushed down the toilet. These items can block wastewater collection lines and clog pumps, causing damage that can be expensive to repair.

What Should Not Be Poured Down Drains?

Grease, fat and cooking oils should not be poured down drains. Continuously pouring these materials down drains can cause build-ups to form on the sides of pipes, which can cause blockages in the wastewater collection system. These blockages can lead to messy and expensive raw wastewater back-ups into basements, yards and roadways. To avoid these problems, scrape all grease, fats and cooking oils into a rigid container, allow the materials to solidify and dispose of them in your regular garbage collection. Sink baskets and strainers should also be used to prevent food residues from entering your drains. Do not pour any household hazardous chemicals or toxic materials down drains, as these materials can be difficult to treat and end up entering the natural environment.

Who Do I Contact If I Have A Wastewater Odour Concern?

Please contact the Craigleith Wastewater Treatment Plant at (705) 444-1164 with any wastewater related odour concerns.