The Region of Waterloo retained CIMA+ to develop a facility plan and conceptual design for the Elmira Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) to address operational challenges, climate resilience, and aging assets that had been identified at the facility. The primary goal of the project was to deliver a detailed conceptual design for a program of upgrades that would ensure the reliable long-term operation of the facility, including increased resilience to climate-change impacts, and that was compatible with the future expansion of the plant.
The project won the Diamond Consulting Engineering Award of Merit in the category of Sustainability from ACEC-Ontario, Grand River Chapter.
Protecting public health and the environment
Storm events are the primary hazard threatening the Elmira WWTP, causing extreme peak wet weather flow that can exceed existing treatment and storage capacity. The proposed conceptual design includes an innovative combined tertiary/wet weather treatment system to replace the existing tertiary process and provide treatment of peak wet weather flows. Piloting was successfully undertaken during the project. Once implemented, the system will effectively eliminate plant bypasses, resulting in:
- Enhanced public health and safety
- Preserved surface-water quality and improved quality of life for users that rely on the Canagagigue Creek and Grand River, both as a source of drinking water and recreation.
- Preservation of undeveloped land compared to conventional treatment alternatives
- Improved climate resilience
- Improved operational flexibility
A more resilient plant with a smaller carbon footprint
CIMA+ completed a review of the conceptual design using the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure Envision framework and focusing on greenhouse gas mitigation and climate-change resilience. The review determined that the proposed upgrades would reduce the carbon footprint of construction and operations by 2,853 tonnes CO2 equivalent and 208 tonnes CO2 equivalent/year, respectively. The review also determined that the project would improve climate-change resilience and align with current best climate-change planning practices.