New sanitary master plan subject of second public information centre

The Town of Amherstburg's new sanitary master plan was the subject of a recent public information centre at the Libro Centre.

The Town of Amherstburg’s sanitary master plan was the subject of a public information centre (PIC).

The second PIC for the new sanitary master plan was held Aug. 12 in the lobby at the Libro Centre and had a light turnout of residents. Manager of engineering Todd Hewitt said it was the second PIC as part of the process.

“This is the first sanitary master plan the town has undertaken,” said Hewitt.

The idea behind the sanitary master plan is to review the entire system and go over a long-term strategy for the town’s infrastructure.

“That strategy will serve existing customers and future growth,” said Hewitt.

Hewitt said they have been working for about one-and-a-half years on this and this was the last PIC on it. Right now, he said the Amherstburg wastewater plant is running at about 70-80 per cent capacity and when it gets to 80 per cent, it’s time to start talking about expansion.

When it hits 90 per cent, the town should be looking at an environmental assessment (EA) for expansion.

“We do have some capacity but we do have to start looking at it to service any future expansion in the town,” said Hewitt.

There are currently four treatment facilities in Amherstburg, he added, with those being the main plant, the McGregor lagoons, the Big Creek plant that services the Lake Erie Country Club and the McLeod Ave. plant that addresses the Bar Point and along the Lake Erie waterfront.

The plan, which is included on the town’s Talk the Burg website, contains rough estimates in projects that could address current sewage needs and needs that will occur in years leading up to 2051. 

Projects could include the southeast quadrant and Laird Ave. South among others, but no cost estimates have gone to town council on these, much less have been approved.

Should they be approved, Hewitt said they will have to be factored into the town’s capital budget. There are also recommended options but other options for any projects or updates that will eventually come to council, he indicated.

“These projects haven’t been contemplated (by council) yet,” said Hewitt.

The sanitary master plan is expected to go before town council in the next few months, possibly in the new term of council. Feedback gathered from the PIC and from Talk the Burg (www.talktheburg.ca) will be factored into the final draft plan.

New sanitary master plan subject of second public information centre

By Ron Giofu