Misconception #1
Harbour Solutions should have fixed localized flooding issues
Harbour Solutions is a sewage treatment project designed to achieve specific water quality objectives. The project intercepts and treats four times the average dry weather sewage flow (approx. 95% of pollutants). The plants are sized for projected population growth to 2021, with 10% capacity upgrade to 2041. There will be severe wet weather overflows to the Harbour, consistent with most cities in North America.
Areas prone to flooding in extreme wet weather events before Harbour Solutions will still flood. Storm and sanitary sewer separation was not in scope for Harbour Solutions. It was extremely expensive, too long to execute successfully on an opportunity basis, and the environmental approach was questionable.
HRM has commenced sewershed studies to understand and address stormwater challenges posed by current storm flows and climate change.
Misconception #2
Harbour Solutions uses outdated technology that does not work
Misconception has arisen from new Canadian Council of the Ministers of the Environment (CCME) wastewater effluent strategy signed Feb 17, 2009. The National Performance Standard of Secondary Treatment must be met within 30 years. This timing is based on risk assessment completed within next eight years. HHSP plant upgrades will be tied to risk assessment which will include an environmental analysis of Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs). Plant upgrades will be carried out between 10 and 30 years depending on environmental “bang for the buck” (plant upgrades vs CSO management plan).
HHSP plants can be upgraded to secondary within existing land footprints, well-positioned for future. Secondary treatment would NOT have avoided incident at the Halifax WWTF. Halifax Harbour Solutions Project is largely complete and has already achieved/exceeded water quality objectives.
Misconception #3
HRM Biosolids Program is a New and Unsafe Practice
The HRM Biosolids Program is not new. Human wastes have been spread on agricultural lands for decades at much lower standards. The HRM Biosolids Program meets key principles:
- HRM manages the waste it creates
- Beneficial-use product, not land filled
N-Viro process is in use in Niagara and Sarnia. The product meets all regulations, labeled by CFIA, and regularly meets Exceptional Quality standard.
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