Bayfield Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion

The Bayfield wastewater treatment facility expansion is an ongoing project.

• The Bayfield sanitary system was designed and approved in the 1990s.
• Construction started in 1999 and was completed after amalgamation in 2001.
• In the first decade since its completion,  there was infill development and several extensions to the system were approved.
• By 2009, the system was at 88% of its rated capacity and Council authorized starting planning for expansion.
• To expand a wastewater treatment plant you must follow a procedure set out in the Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) documents.
• A Class EA was initiated in 2009.
• The environmental study report to conclude phase four of the Class EA planning process has been completed.

What is a Class EA?

A Class EA is an approved planning document which describes the process that municipalities must follow to meet the requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act. Working through the steps of a Class EA helps municipalities find different solutions for projects that might have an impact on the environment. The process also includes mandatory requirements for municipalities to collect feedback from community members who might be affected by the project.

The Class EA planning process is divided into five phases:

• Phase 1: Problem identification 
• Phase 2: Evaluation of alternative solutions to the defined problems and selection of a preferred solution. 
• Phase 3: Identification and evaluation of alternative design concepts in selection of a preferred design concept. 
• Phase 4: Preparation and submission of an environmental study report (ESR) for public and government agency review. 
• Phase 5: Implementation of the preferred alternative and impact monitoring. 

Project reports and facts