Biosolids Management Master Plan

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Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) power generation system

The City of London (the City) is updating its Biosolids Management Master Plan (the Master Plan) to ensure the City’s biosolids are managed in a way that is sustainable, protects our environment, and has the capacity to handle the City’s growing population.

This Master Plan will follow the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process, which is an environmental planning process meant to foster consultation with the public, local First Nations communities, Agencies and other stakeholders. Since all areas of London are serviced by wastewater treatment plants that produce solids requiring disposal, this plan impacts the entirety of the City.

Tour the virtual Public Information Centre (PIC) to learn more!

The primary purpose of the Master Plan is to develop a reliable and robust biosolids management strategy and implementation plan compatible with the City’s projected wastewater servicing needs for the short (within 5 years), medium (within 15 years) and long term (next 30 years). Some short term projects that will improve current processes may be quick and straightforward to implement, while an ultimate strategy for biosolids disposal will be the long term goal. Different processing methods (what treatment is required?) and end uses (where will our biosolids be disposed of and what beneficial products could be created?) will be assessed through a comprehensive evaluation of alternatives that consider their environmental, community, and cost impacts, as well as feasibility and constructability. Methods of process as well as end uses will be combined to create an overall biosolids management strategy. The environmental evaluation component for all aspects of the management strategy has been tailored to align with City Council’s declaration of a climate emergency and the City’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The City will be hosting two virtual Public Information Centres (PICs) for this project, with a third tentative PIC to be held depending on the progress of the project. These PICs will share information about our current approach, the evaluation of the various components of the biosolids management strategy, as well as a preliminary preferred solution to solicit feedback. Once feedback is received, considerations regarding project implementation, environmental protection measures and other considerations, as well as next steps will be presented. A final Environmental Study Report will also be made available for public review and comment upon completion of the EA, however the public is encouraged to reach out with comments, questions or other feedback to the project team at any time.

The first virtual PIC is now live. This PIC will be user directed, allowing attendees to proceed through the material in the virtual environment at their preferred pace. The PIC will be available for a period of 28 days and will include a questionnaire as well as various other methods to contact the project team with additional input. The second PIC is planned for Winter 2021.

The City of London (the City) is updating its Biosolids Management Master Plan (the Master Plan) to ensure the City’s biosolids are managed in a way that is sustainable, protects our environment, and has the capacity to handle the City’s growing population.

This Master Plan will follow the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process, which is an environmental planning process meant to foster consultation with the public, local First Nations communities, Agencies and other stakeholders. Since all areas of London are serviced by wastewater treatment plants that produce solids requiring disposal, this plan impacts the entirety of the City.

Tour the virtual Public Information Centre (PIC) to learn more!

The primary purpose of the Master Plan is to develop a reliable and robust biosolids management strategy and implementation plan compatible with the City’s projected wastewater servicing needs for the short (within 5 years), medium (within 15 years) and long term (next 30 years). Some short term projects that will improve current processes may be quick and straightforward to implement, while an ultimate strategy for biosolids disposal will be the long term goal. Different processing methods (what treatment is required?) and end uses (where will our biosolids be disposed of and what beneficial products could be created?) will be assessed through a comprehensive evaluation of alternatives that consider their environmental, community, and cost impacts, as well as feasibility and constructability. Methods of process as well as end uses will be combined to create an overall biosolids management strategy. The environmental evaluation component for all aspects of the management strategy has been tailored to align with City Council’s declaration of a climate emergency and the City’s goal to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The City will be hosting two virtual Public Information Centres (PICs) for this project, with a third tentative PIC to be held depending on the progress of the project. These PICs will share information about our current approach, the evaluation of the various components of the biosolids management strategy, as well as a preliminary preferred solution to solicit feedback. Once feedback is received, considerations regarding project implementation, environmental protection measures and other considerations, as well as next steps will be presented. A final Environmental Study Report will also be made available for public review and comment upon completion of the EA, however the public is encouraged to reach out with comments, questions or other feedback to the project team at any time.

The first virtual PIC is now live. This PIC will be user directed, allowing attendees to proceed through the material in the virtual environment at their preferred pace. The PIC will be available for a period of 28 days and will include a questionnaire as well as various other methods to contact the project team with additional input. The second PIC is planned for Winter 2021.

  • Background

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    The City of London operates five wastewater treatment plants throughout the City. As part of the treatment process, solid material is separated from the liquid. Solids are also generated as by-product of the biological and chemical processes used to treat our water to ensure it meets all required environmental and health standards. Solids generated at our Adelaide, Oxford, Pottersburg and Vauxhall wastewater treatment plants are thickened (mass reduced by approximately 70% due to water removal to minimize transportation) prior to transportation to the Greenway WWTP, the City’s largest facility which treats 60% of the City’s wastewater. Solids transported to Greenway from the other four plants are dewatered (Water content reduced to <10%) prior to being incinerated. The by-product of incineration is ash, which is then transported to the City’s W12A landfill. It is anticipated that the current incinerator can be repaired/rebuilt once more prior to reaching the end of it’s asset life sometime in the next 15 years.

Page last updated: 15 October 2021, 11:56