THEDFORD — It's been a long time coming, but the Grand Bend Area Sewage Treatment Board has finally agreed on a sewage treatment plant.

The board agreed in principle on several items at its Jan. 17 meeting in Thedford, however the project — which faces a Jan. 31 deadline — is not a done deal yet since the councils of South Huron, Lambton Shores and Bluewater have to formally adopt the recommendations.

The most contentious point of the last couple of months has been what size plant to build — the so-called phased-in single treatment train plant at $21.4 million or the full build double treatment train plant at $26.6 million. Lambton Shores sought the double train plant, arguing the single train option didn't provide the municipality with enough sewage capacity. South Huron, however, said it would only support the cheaper single train option.

The board passed several recommendations at its Jan. 17 meeting including an agreement in principle to go ahead with the $21.4 million single treatment train plant with a further agreement to expand the plant when actual use exceeds 80 per cent sewage capacity. The board is now referring to the chosen size as a “full build single treatment train plant.”

The recommendations presented to the board were the result of a Jan. 13 meeting of the board's technical committee which consisted of the mayors of the three municipalities and staff.

Lambton Shores has agreed in principle to the single treatment train and agreed to recommend its council rescind an earlier motion stating they were in favour of the more expensive double train option.

A report from South Huron environmental services director Don Giberson states that “all parties agreed that a phased plant (full build single treatment train) would provide sufficient capacity in the near term, especially with Bluewater withdrawing.”

(As previously reported, both Bluewater and South Huron councils passed motions in December withdrawing from the project, but are able to re-enter within the next 10 years and have kept representatives on the board).

Another issue is a proposed trunk sewer pipe that would travel down Ontario Street (Highway 21) and Municipal Drive to Pump Station 2. The pipe's size depends on whether or not Bluewater wants to take part and share the cost with South Huron based on flow proportions. If it does, the pipe needs to be larger. The board agreed that South Huron's preferred route of a sewer trunk down Ontario Street and Municipal Drive to Pumping Station 2 is acceptable.

Upon a request from Bluewater, South Huron has sent a formal proposal to Bluewater requesting their participation in the trunk sewer. South Huron has yet to receive a response from Bluewater.

The board approved several other recommendations at its Jan. 17 meeting, including immediate repairs and replacement of components at Pumping Station 2 estimated at $300,000 (to be shared by Lambton Shores and South Huron), and future estimated repairs and component replacements of about $700,000 (to be shared by Lambton Shores and South Huron until Bluewater joins the project).

A final recommendation approved by the board states that Lambton Shores would temporarily take over Bluewater's share of the new plant's sewage capacity until Bluewater needs the capacity.

Bluewater council held a special meeting last Thursday to discuss that issue, during which it directed staff and legal counsel to negotiate with Lambton Shores to reach an agreement, which would then have to be approved by Bluewater council.

As no Bluewater council meeting is scheduled before the project's deadline, it is likely Bluewater will have to call another special council meeting, Bluewater utilities superintendent Brent Kittmer told the Times-Advocate.

Giberson told the T-A Monday morning municipal lawyers will formulate the recommendations into a legal document to be approved by the three councils.
Tenders for the project expire Feb. 4.

The board meets again at the call of the chair. A future meeting had not been scheduled as the T-A was going to press Monday.