Proposed new sewage treatment plant in Everett has $30 million price tag

New Tecumseth Free Press Online

The Schedule C Class Environmental Assessment of the proposed wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Everett has identified the preferred option to be a new membrane bioreactor located in the north east area of Everett with surface water outfall to the Pine River west of County Road 13 at the northern edge of Everett.

It would be built-out in four phases, each one after the first triggered by population targets. Phase 1, estimated to cost $13 million, would have a design capacity to service approximately 1,000 equivalent residential units (2,670 persons). Phase 2 would double that at a cost of about $4.2 million. Phase 3, at a cost of $7.2 million (includes upsizing for final phase) kicks-in once population exceeds 8,000; and the final phase to service a population just over 10,000 people.

The WWTP would be required to service the proposed Everett Secondary Plan, which seeks to grow the community by 10,000 people as proposed by the Walton Group. The plan is currently part of the OMB hearing into Simcoe County’s Official Plan. It has been approved by the outgoing Adjala-Tosorontio council, but has given rise to a ratepayers group in Everett fighting the plan.

Public comments on the EA are open until October 13.

“If major concerns arise regarding this project, which cannot be resolved through discussions with the municipality, a person or party may request that the Minister of the Environment make an order for the project to comply with Part II of the Environmental Assessment Act (referred to as a Part II Order), before proceeding to Phase 5, implementation,” according to the Public Notice of Completion. “If there is no “request” received by October 13, 2014, the Everett wastewater treatment plant and surface water outfall expansion Schedule ‘C’ Class Environmental Assessment will be implemented and will proceed as presented in the planning documentation.”