Council has approved interim disinfection upgrades to restore water capacity for future development involving ultraviolet (UV) treatment within the existing Water Treatment Plant (WTP).
The installation of the UV process within the existing WTP will restore the full capacity at the WTP, thus relieving the winter water supply capacity restrictions and making an additional 790 SDUs (Equivalent Single Dwelling Units) available once commissioned. Collingwood will pay the about $900,000 of costs to restore full capacity, and the other costs for items re-usable in the expansion will be split through agreements with any municipalities who partner in the expansion. It is anticipated that the installation of UV reactors in the existing WTP would be substantially complete by November 2022 (commissioning by October 2022).
The use of ultraviolet light for disinfection is a common and safe process in water and wastewater treatment. The process uses ultraviolet irradiation to inactivate pathogenic microorganisms, including viruses, bacteria and parasites. The Town will be selecting the manufacturer and vendor of the UV system through an open procurement process.
At the Council meeting held Monday, April 26, Council approved a pause in development to address drinking water capacity for future development, using an Interim Control Bylaw (ICBL). The water supply is safe and available for current residents, industry, commercial uses, and visitors. There is enough water for several years of growth, but even with the capacity restored through today’s UV announcement, it is not enough to continue at the same pace until the drinking water treatment plant is expanded. Construction that does not use more water such as most residential renovations can continue.
Addressing our drinking water capacity challenges is one of our highest Town priorities.
The Request For Proposal (RFP) for the design of the expansion of the Raymond A. Barker Water Treatment Plant was awarded to AECOM/Ainley Group (AECOM) in early July 2021. Preliminary concepts were presented to Council on July 26, 2021, and stakeholder meetings continue. The WTP expansion is targeted to be commissioned by early 2026.
For more information, and to track the progress on increasing water capacity and planning activity associated with removing the need for the pause in development, please click here.
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