The Meaford Independent

Meaford council received a report from Director of Operations Stephen Vokes at the Monday November 9^th council meeting that outlined the current uncommitted reserve capacity of the Water Pollution Control Plant located at 35 Grant Avenue.

Council was advised that the three year average flow at the facility was calculated to be 71.1% of the rated capacity of 3909 cubic metres per day. A series of complex calculations has determined that the plant is currently at 78.9% of it's uncommitted capacity, and if all of the approved but as yet unconnected lots came on stream tomorrow, the average daily flow would reach 86.7% of capacity.

The municipality is closely monitoring the decreasing capacity of the facility in order to be fully prepared for the inevitable upgrade requirements which would add available capacity. Once the committed reserve capacity reaches 85% the municipality would need to enter into the design phase for an expansion.

Recent estimates have pegged the cost of such an upgrade project at $30 million. Staff is currently working with a consulting firm to review those estimates and to determine if a scaled down expansion project would be adequate to serve the future needs of the municipality.

Vokes indicated that the major benefit of taking a proactive approach with regard to the waste water facility, is that by ensuring that studies and planning are initiated in anticipation of the future needs, the municipality positions itself to be ready for any potential grant funds which could help to finance what will be a very expensive project.