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City Council approved a $5.2 million upgrade to the city's Wastewater Treatment Plant last Monday. Most notably, a grit removal system will be added to increase the longevity of the equipment in the plant. PHOTO BY LIAM BERTI
North Bay’s Wastewater Treatment Plant is about to undergo a much-needed upgrade.
Construction is set to begin on a grit removal facility to the Memorial Drive plant after City Council approved the winning bid at last Monday’s meeting, giving the project the green light.
“One of the big expenses...is a grit digester, which basically receives the water that is coming into the plant and removes the sand and fine particles that can wear down the machinery within the treatment plant itself,” explained Coun. Chris Mayne, chair of Engineering and Public Works. “This is an investment into the water treatment plant because the grit removal system will increase the lifetime operating ability of the equipment within the plant.”
“It’s an important piece of equipment, but it’s basically a maintenance piece of equipment as well.”
The contract also includes the construction of a new headworks building, vortex style grit removal tanks, mechanically cleaned bar screens, new sanitary sewers and forcemain yard piping, among other maintenance work.
The upgrade will cost the city just over $5.2 million. Despite the hefty price tag though, Coun. Mayne says the city was originally expecting to pay much more.
“Staff had originally expected quotes of about $6 million, so we’re comfortably under budget on this one,” said Mayne. “It takes the pressure off the budget a little bit more over all."
Almost one year ago, the city approved a plan to spend $20 million over a 10 year period to upgrade the plant after taking control of it from the Ontario Clean Water Agency just a few years before. At the time, it was reported that the plant did not receive the adequate maintenance prior to the city taking over the operation.
In September 2013, the city approved spending in excess of $80,000 to update the designs of the grit removal system. Work on a new design originally began in 2006, but the city could not afford to do the work at that time.
Originally built in 1962, the plant is used to treat all of North Bay’s wastewater and sewage. Because of the poor condition of the plant, council has identified it as one of the city’s most expensive assets.
Councillors at Monday night’s meeting also said that the new features and construction will include odour control mechanisms.
“That will improve the experience for residents and visitors at the waterfront near the plant,” said Coun. Judy Koziol. “I don’t live down there, but I do know that sometimes when you’re driving by, you certainly know where you’re driving.
“I’m sure that will be welcomed by the area’s residents.”
Specific dates for the construction to begin and end weren’t identified at the meeting.