Bayshore Village Sewage Works
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
At the Special Council meeting held on June 3, 2024, the Council approved for staff to create a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to address residents' questions following the water and wastewater rate review completed in February 2024.
If you wish a hard copy of the Frequently Asked Questions document, please contact staff using the information at the bottom of the page.
Background
The Township of Ramara is updating the Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) that was previously completed in 2017 for the effluent spray irrigation system at the Bayshore Village Sewage Works.
The Municipal Class EA applies to municipalities that are planning infrastructure projects, such as road improvements, water and wastewater projects, facility expansions, rehabilitation or improvements to offer a new service. Since projects undertaken by municipalities can vary in their environmental impact, such projects are classified in terms of schedules. The Class EA for the Bayshore Village sewage works follows the Schedule B requirements. Environmental conditions in the study area are discussed in Chapter 2 of the 2017 EA report.
The Class EA was initiated in 2010 to consider expansion of the fields. Over the years, soils have become compacted and infiltrative capacity has deteriorated. Two alternatives were originally presented: Do nothing and acquire additional land for spray irrigation. This was presented on February 24, 2011 at PIC #1.
Following consultation with the public and Ministry of Environment, the project evolved and more alternatives were added. The additional alternatives were presented on November 15, 2016 at PIC #2. A presentation was made to Council on September 18, 2017 to present the conclusions of the Class EA Study. The preferred short-term solution was to establish one new spray field and the preferred long-term solution was to discontinue spray irrigation and build a sewage treatment plant with a discharge to Wainman’s Creek. A Notice of Completion was published on October 5, 2017 and the MECP responded in November, 2017 that they were not going to accept the notice of completion. It was the Ministry’s view that the EA process for this project is not complete and further work must be done. Actual lands must be identified for use as spray fields and a hydrogeological study on the fields must be conducted at the EA stage. The MECP also stated that the long term solution needs to fit within the existing and regulatory requirements of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan. The Township updated the list of alternatives and costing again in 2023 and it was presented to Council on December 11. PIC #3 was held on May 22, 2024 to present the updated preferred solution. Comments were received from the public until June 7 to be considered in the study. A draft environmental study report, as part of the EA planning process, will be prepared and brought forward to Council in the summer of 2024. The report will outline the problem statement, the rationale employed in selecting the preferred solutions, a description of the environmental considerations and impacts, mitigating measures to minimize environmental effects and a summary of the consultation process and how concerns and comments have been addressed. Information on the current engagement can be found on the Township of Ramara’s website: www.ramara.ca.
Questions
Please be advised that the questions below are a revised rendition of the submitted questions. The background information above answers many of the questions submitted. As well, due to duplicity with the questions submitted, staff revised the questions in order to encompass the duplicity of questions submitted.
| An option discussed during the Public Information Centre costs $7.3 M. How will the new preferred solution, as part of the Bayshore Village Sewage Works Class Environmental Assessment, be financially allocated?How is the expenditure being capitalized and then depreciated over the anticipated life of the new facility with the ratepayers being charged the annual depreciation cost of the investment? |
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As part of the Bayshore Village Sewage Works Class Environmental Assessment, consultation with residents was conducted through a Public Information Centre on May 22, 2024. After the PIC, written comments were accepted until June 7, 2024 to be considered in the study. Tatham Engineering, the Township Engineers, will review feedback, choose a preferred solution, prepare a study report, and present it to the Council in the summer of 2024. At the meeting, the Council will decide on the solution and the allocation of funds for the chosen solution.
The expenditure will be capitalized according to the Tangible Capital Asset Policy which also determines the depreciation period for each asset type. This is in accordance to the Public Sector Accounting Board (PSSAB) requirement. However, this is not related to the cost to the ratepayers. A project of that value will have to be financed by a loan. The repayment of the loan will be part of the wastewater expenses therefore included in the fees paid by the wastewater users. |
| In 2017, Tatham proposed both a short-term and long-term solution to Council; why didn’t the Council ever adopt the short-term method, and how was a long-term Sewage Treatment Plan solution considered even though it was not permitted under the 2009 Lake Simcoe Protection Act? |
| At the time, the Council decided to pursue the long-term solution of a tertiary sewage treatment plant. For the next five years, the Council worked hard on behalf of residents to advocate to multiple ministries, senior government staff, and politicians the value of eliminating spray irrigation and building a tertiary plant. Unfortunately, it was determined that a tertiary plant would not be allowed under the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan. A further report from Tatham Engineering will be presented at a future Council meeting outlining alternative solution. |
| When pumper trucks access LC's sewer treatment plant to unload the sewage they’ve collected, what is the fee they pay for use of the sewage treatment plant to unload their waste? Is the rate charged such that it pays not just toward the treatment but also to the infrastructure, maintenance and capital costs of the facility? |
| As per the Fees and Charges Bylaw 2023.42, Schedule “E”, the fee is $120 per 1000 gallons.
The fee was set to include a combination of those factors. |
| The duration of a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) in Ontario can vary significantly based on the complexity and scope of the project. Generally, the process can take anywhere from six months to two years. What makes BVEA so special that we are into year 14? With the multitude of studies and reports all accumulating expense. |
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In 2017, the Bayshore Village Environmental Assessment was completed for the effluent spray irrigation system at the Bayshore Village Sewage Works. There were two solutions proposed by the Township’s Engineers, Tatham Engineering: a short term solution and a long term solution. At the time, the Council decided to pursue the long-term solution of a tertiary sewage treatment plant. For the next five years, Council worked hard on behalf of residents to advocate to multiple ministries, senior government staff, and politicians the value of eliminating spray irrigation and building a tertiary plant. Unfortunately, it was determined that the establishment of a new municipal sewage treatment plant is prohibited under Policy 4.3-DP of the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan.
The costs associated with the Bayshore Village Environmental Assessment cannot be determined as financial systems have changed over the past 14 years. Each year, Council approves a budget that funds capital projects and operational expenses that sustain services and service levels for Ramara Township. The outlines investments in Capital Planning and Infrastructure, including water and wastewater upgrades. |
| Since 2010, why types of communication was conducted in order to inform the public of the BVEA? |
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Since the initiations of the Bayshore Village Sewage Works Effluent Spray Irrigation Class EA in 2010, there have been several discussions, presentations and reports to Council regarding the 2017 Class EA. As legislatively required, there were two public information open houses scheduled in 2011 and 2016 respectively. Since 2017, there have been numerous staff reports and presentations in regards to the progress of the Bayshore Village Project Class EA, including additional efforts such as inflow and infiltration.
Each year, Council approves a budget that funds capital projects and operational expenses that sustain services and service levels for Ramara Township. The outlines investments in Capital Planning and Infrastructure, including water and wastewater upgrades. The budget process is an open public meeting where residents can examine the budget and provide questions to staff or council. As well, since 2021, staff have developed Council Highlights and Budget Highlights to help inform residents of information that comes from Committee of the Whole and Council meetings. |
| How does staff oversee or control infrastructure projects, such as the Bayshore Village Sewage Works project? |
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The Infrastructure Department delivers many services to residents of Ramara Township including:
The Infrastructure Department works in partnership with the Ontario Clean Water Agency for the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of the Township’s water and wastewater systems. Studies guide the overall planning of systems throughout the Township, including the water supply system, the sanitary sewer system and the roads network. Most projects will go through various stages from start to finish. We study a variety of issues to determine the most appropriate method to address them. The design stage of a project involves the development of construction contract drawings and tender documents for the construction or implementation of a project. This stage often includes the architectural, engineering and business case components. The construction stage is also the implementation stage of the project, where the process of building or assembling the project begins. Plans for capital works extend over a 10 year period and updated on a yearly basis. Budgets are prepared and approved by Council every year, typically in the fall for the following year. Annual budgets can be found on the Township’s website.
Corporate Projects utilize all staff (Directors, Treasurer, CAO) using various resources and tools. |
| Can the costs related to the Brechin Village Sewage Treatment Works be cost recovered through Development Charges or a local improvement Charge? Are the current Development Charge Bylaws still valid? |
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The cost of the Brechin/Lagoon City Sewer project is revoved through a charge represented of the Development Charges. Development Charges are the fees collected at the time property is developed to cover the cost of infrastructure and services that we provide, such as roads, municipal water and sewer. Last month, Ramara Council approved Area-Specific Development Charges for Bayshore Village and Brechin and Lagoon City.
Development Charges are implemented following studies that are presented and approved by Council. Notices are made public in respect with the legislation. Development Charges revenues are used in compliance with the studies and legislation and are reviewed yearly through the Audit process.
The Development Charge presentation by Hemson serves as a comprehensive guide, outlining how development charges will be instrumental in supporting the infrastructure costs required for development. View more information related to Development Charges
Since 2011, there has been three rate studies completed.
As indicated in the 2011 plan and subsequently after, water and wastewater rates are reviewed every five years or sooner if indicated. |
| Since 2017, why has there been no communication on the website on progress with the EA. |
| There was no updates during that time period to provide as the EA was not moving forward until the Township decided on the best course of action for the spray fields. Since 2017, there have been many reports to Council on the proceeding with the 2017 EA; however, no decision was determined. As well, residents has had access to agendas and minutes and in 2020 staff started to prepare Council highlights and created a new website to help with access to information. |
| Is there a Bylaw which states how sewer can be funded in relationship to new facilities and/or expanded facilities? Is the EA on the land newly purchased in 2023 for the Bayshore Project considered new or continuing? |
| There is no bylaw currently in place for how to fund sewer facilities. The EA for the newly purchased land is a continuation of the existing EA. |
| If land was required to be purchased as an alternative for the Bayshore Village Class EA, why was it not bought over the last 13 years when the value was much lower? |
| At the time, it was not known if the land was needed. The Township was working on the EA and looking at options for a tertiary treatment plant which were unsuccessful. |
| Why was the $1M in the Canada Community Building Fund Grant not allocated to the water and wastewater budget, with any remaining amount allocated to water and wastewater reserves? |
| In the 2024 Draft Budget, the CCBF fund was allocated to the Bayshore Village project. Through discussions, Council approved to decrease the project costs for 2024 from 1M to $350,000 and utilize the fund. When adopting a budget, only the current year portion of the cost in included in the Budget. If the project is scheduled on more than one year, the yearly cost is included in each’s year Budget. The remaining of the CCBF amount stayed in the CCBF reserve Fund as prescribed in the Funding Agreement. In 2024, $643,000 of CCBF is also used to fund Road infrastructure. |
| Is effluent hauling damaging the roads and bridges on which the trucks traverse? Who inspects Ramara’s roads and bridges and how often are they inspected? |
| No. All used municipal roads and bridges were not negatively affected by the haulage of effluent and the daily truck traffic. Township infrastructure is designed to withstand the weight of the trucks and the load, and township staff monitor the situation daily. |
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How does the Township manage Sewage Biosolids at the Lagoon City Sewage Treatment Plant? |
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There are 2 by-products of sewage treatment. There is effluent water and sewage sludge. The term sewage sludge refers to the solids that are settled out at various points in the wastewater treatment process. At the Lagoon City sewage treatment plant, those solids are then treated physically and chemically to produce a product known as biosolids. Biosolids are considered a Category 3 NASM under the Nutrient Management Act and can be used as fertilizer on agricultural land. Since sewage sludge is continually produced at the treatment plant, it must be managed. Management options can be classified into two broad categories – beneficial use options or disposal options. The Township of Ramara’s current management approach for biosolids is sent for use through land application. Before biosolids can be spread on agricultural land, it must be tested for nitrogen, phosphorus, 11 regulated metals and E.coli concentration. If any one of the metals or E.coli exceed regulated levels, the material cannot be land applied. Any person applying biosolids must be licensed and have a valid NASM plan issued by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). The NASM plan ensures that any land applied biosolids are of benefit to crops, do not degrade the natural environment and doesn't pose any harm to human or animal health. The Lagoon City sewage treatment plant generates, on average, 1000 m3 of biosolids each year. Wessuc Inc. is contracted to remove the biosolids from the treatment plant on an annual basis to land apply on sites with an approved NASM plan. OMAFRA notifies the local municipality when a NASM plan is approved for an application site in their jurisdiction, however we are not necessarily notified when the NASM is being applied. |
| Do other municipalities also land-apply biosolids (septage sludge) within Ramara township borders? |
| There are agricultural operations within the Township of Ramara that are approved to receive biosolids. The biosolids can come from other municipal sewage treatment plants outside the Township. |
| How are Environmental Concerns related to the application of municipal sewage biosolids to cropland managed? |
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There are a number of land application standards and rules that ensure NASM is land applied in an environmentally responsible way. This includes required practices and limits on where, when and how much NASM can be applied in a particular situation. While these are legal requirements, they are also best management practices that allow the farmer to use biosolids while protecting the land and water from potentially harmful environmental impacts. Ontario Regulation 267/03, under the Nutrient Management Act, provides the rules for the storage, sampling, analysis and land application of biosolids. |
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