As negative as it might sound, the minus-33 sewage capacity in Arthur simply highlights the amount of projected growth for the community in the coming years.
Councillors here recently reviewed reports on the sewage capacity of the Arthur and Mount Forest sewage treatment plants . The Mount Forest plant has a reserve capacity of 315, but Arthur’s is minus-33.
Those calculations vary year to year and are based on the previous three years of plant data. Additionally, reserve capacity numbers are based on existing and projected development in a community.
There are 60 units committed for development in Mount Forest and 161 in Arthur, which are included in the report calculations. Without that current commitment to growth, Arthur’s capacity would be roughly 127 units.
In addition, the Mount Forest capacity is based on the new sewage treatment plant that opened last year, while the Arthur plant is significantly older, as council continues to work on ways to upgrade the efficiency of that facility.
The issue for Arthur seems to be more on the volumes of processed effluent that can be discharged, rather than the amount that can be processed at the plant.
Councillor John Matusinec, who chairs the water and sewer committee, said the negative reserve capacity enhances the need to get on with the Arthur sewage lagoon project. He noted there are still 75 units committed to Golden Valley Farms, but that cannot be dealt with right now.
Public Works Manager Gary Williamson said the situation is not as dire as it sounds.
He said calculations are based on a three year average (of flows). Next year, the calculations could show a plus-33 reserve capacity.
“With regards to Arthur, there are 161 committed units. Seven were from infilling. And the report from the building department there were only five units built in 2009. Development is carrying on. It is not like Arthur is stymied and nothing can happen.”
At the same time, he agreed with Matusinec the township needs to proceed with the effluent holding ponds.
“They’re not lagoons anymore?” Matusinec said.
Williamson said, “They’re effluent holding ponds.”
Mayor Mike Broomhead said, “It sounds much nicer.”
Council plans to continue efforts to have that project move forward.
Broomhead said a meeting needs to be set up for the coming Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference.
“If we could somehow get the discharge times changed, to allow two extra weeks in the spring and fall. It would make a big difference.”
The mayor said the issue is not a fault with the treatment plant. “It’s the discharge period and being able to store the effluent.”
