LSRCA yet to weigh in on sewage plant

Authority awaits more information
By Amanda Persico Yorkregion.com Apr 20, 2012
While the Upper York Sewage Solution is in the site selection process for a sewage plant in East Gwillimbury, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority has not yet weighed in on the issue.
 The plan is to discharge treated wastewater from the plant into Lake Simcoe. The authority requires further technical reports and information before commenting on the project, CAO Gayle Wood said.
 From the authority’s perspective, the main questions surrounding the project include how discharging into Lake Simcoe will affect the water quality, quantity and surrounding natural heritage of the watershed.
 “We are a scientific organization and we’re looking at the many impacts on the lake this project might have from a scientific perspective,” Ms Wood said.
 The authority is one of several local agencies asked to comment on the project as part of the environmental assessment process.
 However, the provincial Environment Ministry will make the decision on if the project proceeds.
“We will provide comment,” Ms Wood said. “We can’t have a ‘no’ decision. We know water has to be treated and discharged. Our concern is how this will impact our lake.”
 Residents can expect the authority to make a formal statement about the project in the coming months.
So far, the Upper York Sewage Solution team has narrowed site selection from 21 to four preferred sites, all in Queensville, for the water reclamation centre.
 Over the next five to six months, project team members will evaluate each site.
The region plans to select a site by this summer and move forward with an environmental assessment for the site, with expected completion by 2013.
 It is expected construction on the centre will be completed by 2018.