Town of Grand Valley Waste Water Treatment Plant
Most of the Town's urban area is serviced by the Grand Valley Waste Water Treatment Plant, located past the Fire Hall, at the end of Industrial Drive off County Road 25, just south of the urban area of Town. The Town has a contract with the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) for the management of the Plant. To keep Council and our residents informed on their work at the plant, OCWA regularly submits reports to the Town.
RV and motorhome owners who are camping in our community can dump their sewage at the Treatment Plant, free of charge, during business hours. The Plant is open Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. If the gate is closed during normal operating hours, call the Duty Operator at 1 866 214 6987 for assistance.
Inflow and Infiltration ("I and I")
The Town's Waste Water Treatment Plant is designed to handle waste water that needs to be cleaned before being discharged into the Grand River. Storm water and clean household water does not need to be cleaned and therefore should not be sent to the Treatment Plant for processing. When inflow and infiltration occurs, extra water is introduced into the Town's sewer network, and the whole waste water treatment system is pushed to meet the demand for treatment. This added stress creates the following problems:
- possible sewage backup into homes or from street manholes
- expensive treatment plant upgrades to contend with the extra demand
- new development opportunities restricted because the Plant cannot take extra waste water
- increased treatment plant operating costs (paid by taxes and fees)
- decreased capacity to handle climate change and increases in frequency of intense weather events
What is Inflow and Infiltration ("I and I")?
"Inflow" occurs when water is intentially added to the sewage system that does not need expensive sewage treatment. This water often comes from sump pump discharge, downspout leaders and foundation drains.
"Infiltration" occurs when naturally-occuring ground water finds its way through cracks and openings in our aging network of sewage pipes. Over time, sewer lines settle or crack, mature tree roots find their way into the system, or entry covers are left off allowing water to enter.
What is being done to fix this problem?
The Town has been sending cameras down into our sewer system, taking photos and videos to find out where "I and I" is happening. Over the next few years, the Town is working on a construction plan to address aging and inferior parts of the sewage collection network, and to correct problems with connections to our network in our residential areas. As well, other improvements are planned for our Treatment Plant to further enhance its capacity and efficiency. These are all long-term and expensive modifications, and will take place as funding is available.
Residents can help! They can reduce their inflow by correcting where the water goes from their sump pump and roof. Improper connections can occur in several places. If the downspouts or the sump pump are connected to a sanitary sewer line, the homeowner should correct the plumbing to direct the water to the lawn or rain barrel, and block off the old connection to the sewer line. By keeping clean water out of the sanitary system, treatment costs will decrease and residents can use the water for other purposes.
For more information or to ask questions about "I and I" projects underway in our community, please contact the Town office.
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