Town of Erin residents should get their
first detailed look at various options for a wastewater system at a Public
Information Centre planned for Friday, Feb. 2.
The Environmental Assessment (EA) team at
the Ainley Group had hoped to have the meeting this past fall, but they have
been “busier than anticipated” with technical reports and field investigations,
according to spokesperson Dave Hardy.
The Ministry of the Environment and Climate
Change (MOECC) required extra work to be done to support the Assimilative
Capacity Study (ACS), which measures the potential impact of sewage effluent on
the West Credit River.
The town authorized a brief study of freshwater
mussels, which help keep rivers healthy by filtering toxins. Mayor Al Alls said
the cost was $6,800 and that no mussels were found. The final ACS will be
published soon, along with the ministry’s comments.
The technical memoranda, also to be
published soon, will cover collection system alternatives, treatment plant
site selection, effluent outfall site selection, pumping station and forcemain
alternatives, and treatment technology alternatives.
There has been a study of the suitability
of all sites that may be required for infrastructure, including meetings with
all landowners. The environmental, geotechnical and archaeological
investigations of the sites are almost complete.
The current schedule includes a presentation
to council on Jan. 9, and discussion (open to general attendance, but not
participation) at the Public Liaison Committee meeting Jan. 24.
In another development, Ainley President
Joe Mullan has complained to council about ongoing questions and alternatives put
forward by the town’s Environment and Sustainability Advisory Committee (ESAC)
In a letter published with the Dec. 12
agenda he says the Consultation and Communications Plan for the EA does not
include direct correspondence with ESAC. He said council could change the
procedures.
“This would create additional processes,
which could have an impact on the timeline and/or the team’s budget,” he said.
ESAC has been unhappy with the scope and
detail of answers it has received, with the consultant in many instances saying
the issues have already been dealt with in previous reports and at previous meetings,
or that questions are premature.