Ivan Burton reported about several sewage spreading sites west of Westmeath and Beachburg, licensed ny the province to receive hauled sewage.
He said there were four sites currently operating in the Region.
He said that one of the sites was up for review, which would give residents a chance to comment.
“When renewal is up for closed sites, I don’t think that there’s a past practices to circulate about these sites.”
He said there was a separation distance in order to keep sewage away from water sources.
Councillor Dave Mackay asked if the sights were checked for water runoff, though he knew they were on “very dry land”.
He also said he noticed there were “Quebec trucks coming over.”
Burton said that there were “no geographical boundaries” regarding origins of the sewage, and it could come from anywhere in Canada.
Councillor Mackay asked if they could put a service charge on it for out of province hauling.
“It’s not a service we’re providing.” CAO Trembley said. “I’m not sure what we can do. This is all regulated by a higher level of government. We would not be inspecting this.”
Councillor Nicholson said he was receiving ‘lots of comments about it, but against and in favour of tis” and asked what role the County of Renfrew played in it.
“It’s affecting our water. We have a responsibility to make sure that policy is correct. I want to make sure the person is held accountable.”
“Most of the development in region is on septic.” CAO Trembley said. “It’s the ministry of Environment, it’s not some non regulatory body. I think going to the Ministry is the best first step. These have been in existence for a long time. You can change the rules after the fact, but they might be grandfathered.”
“It’s not going to go away.” Nicholson said, saying that they need to keep monitoring.
“If we don’t deal with the septic, it’s the end of growth.” Councillor Mackay said. “We have to deal with it here, or its the end of growth. as long as the facilities here are safe, we shouldn’t be trying to cancel it.”
Councillor Jackson asked if they were still “spreading the sludge” at the Sewage treatment plant.
Lane Cleroux said that the plant only takes sewage from the village of Cobden, and “doesn’t accept other sewage from other regions.”
Jackson asked if the Township spreads their own, which Cleroux said it was “shipped to a seperate OCWA-run sewage plant”, and when the plant was complete, it would dry out.
“Once the Sludge is dry enough, it can be moved.” Cleroux wsaid. “That’s what the high cost is for moving the sludge; it’s in a liquid state, rather than solid.”
Debate occurred regarding the options regarding Sewage spreading options, and other information sessions to potentially have to ‘inform the people of the process.”
Mayor Moore suggested that the Council formulate questions to send to the CAO and Planner to forward to others, and suggested that a letter be sent to the Ministry.
Reeve Regier suggested that they send a letter to the Ministry of Environment to prohibit the spreading and acceptance of outside sewage. It was seconded, and carried.
The information report was heard and carried.
