Question:
What is the volume of sewage overflow into the environment, during an average year?
Answer:
The most recent round of Pollution Control Plan studies estimate the volume of sewage overflow to the environment, Region-wide, to be approximately 1.3 million cubic metres in an average year.
Combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into the environment are not unique to Niagara. Most sewage facilities do ‘by-pass’ as needed during heavy storms in systems where the stormwater and sanitary sewage flow in a combined pipe. This is done to prevent both sewage backing up into people’s basements and the disruption of the biological treatment processes at the wastewater treatment plants. Combined sewer systems are no longer permitted in Ontario and stormwater is addressed independently of sewage. Combined sewer systems are no longer permitted in Ontario and stormwater is addressed independently of sewage.
For more information on CSOs, please see the Spring 2009 issue of the Green Scene newsletter.
Question:
Why is there a ‘big pipe’?
Answer:
There is no big pipe. The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) endorsed servicing concept was developed for approximately 1,300 lots. No detailed design has yet been completed. The Township’s Secondary Plan will determine the ultimate population of the Lakeshore community – and therefore, the size of the pipe.
Question:
Is the new pipeline supposed to ‘hook up’ to older infrastructure?
Answer:
The new system will not be connecting to aging infrastructure – rather it will be connecting to updated treatment facilities. Further, the new state-of-the-art central servicing system will correct the significant health and safety issues faced by Lakeshore residents and reduce the overall environmental impact.
Question:
Why not just fix individual systems?
Answer:
Most lots in the Wainfleet Lakeshore area are too small and local soil and rock conditions are not suitable for septic beds to function properly. Therefore, a central solution is required.
Question:
Why can’t holding tanks be used?
Answer:
Holding tanks are not an effective technical solution to address the Wainfleet Lakeshore area’s community-wide problem. The Ontario Building Code (OBC) dictates that holding tanks are only permitted when a viable alternative option is not available. Holding tanks are not a viable, aesthetic or financial solution and have an inherent number of operational problems associated with their use.
Question:
What is the current status of the Wainfleet Lakeshore water and sewer servicing project?
Answer:
The Minister of the Environment has endorsed the project pending the completion of a number of conditions. A report recommending next steps will be before Wainfleet Township Council and Regional Committee of the Whole on October 9 and 11, 2007, respectively.
Question:
Why weren’t all the alternatives considered?
Answer:
All of the alternative technologies were considered as part of the EA process and in two special workshops (Value Analysis Exercise and Technical Review Workshop) held to further explore such options. In endorsing the EA, the Minister of the Environment confirmed that a reasonable range of solutions, including innovative technologies, were considered.
Question:
If development was never a component of the Wainfleet Lakeshore servicing project, why was the zoning application for the Lakewood Beach Development approved?
Answer:
This project has been ‘on the books’ since at least 2005. Only rezoning of the site was approved, with many conditions that have to be satisfied before construction will be allowed. Future development should follow the Lakeshore area’s Secondary Plan.
Question:
What is the water and sewer servicing solution for the Wainfleet Lakeshore area as determined by the Environmental Assessment?
Answer:
Wastewater: extend central municipal wastewater trunk system, along Wainfleet’s Lakeshore area, from Port Colborne and construct a local sewage collection system.
Water: extend central municipal water supply, along Wainfleet’s Lakeshore area, from the existing system in Port Colborne and construct a local distribution system.
Question:
Why does a rural area such as Wainfleet’s Lakeshore need these services?
Answer:
Technically, Wainfleet’s Lakeshore is a rural area but its density of development is more urban in character with seasonal increases in weekend population sometimes exceeding 10,000 residents. The municipality also faces serious heath and safety risks as well as environmental degradation that must be addressed, and only a central system will address these risks adequately.
Question:
Who will pay, and how much?
Answer:
Costs of the entire Wainfleet Lakeshore servicing project are currently estimated at approximately $72 million. These costs are comprised of about $33 million that could be borne by Regional water and wastewater ratepayers and $39 million by Wainfleet Township. These estimates are based on conceptual designs for the EA-endorsed, municipal water and wastewater central systems and professional input from engineering consultants.
The recommended next steps include a modified tendering process that will allow the Township and the Region to get accurate costs of the project. Following that, staff will report back to both Township and Regional Councils for a decision on how to move forward.
Question:
What will happen over the next 12 months?
Answer:
The Region will be seeking both the Township and Regional Councils’ approval to proceed with the next steps (identified in PWA 147), which is a combination of a number of administrative studies (such as connection and cost allocation policies) as well as a modified tendering process for the construction of the central water and wastewater servicing system options. This will allow the Township and the Region to better assess system options, costs, and to award a construction contract should they decide to proceed with the project.
Question:
My well has been tested and it’s okay. I don’t have to worry.
Answer:
The Region’s Public Health Department recommends well water users submit samples for testing at least three times/year. Where a known source of contamination has been identified (as in Wainfleet) sampling should be more frequent. Furthermore, while your own well water might be safe to drink, your septic system could very well be contaminating your neighbour’s well.
Question:
Why can’t the PH Dept just inspect all the private systems and enforce remediation of all deficiencies?
Answer:
Groundwater quality assessments clearly indicate improperly functioning septic systems. Studies have concluded that based on the volume of septic effluent and concentration of small lots the aquifer is being contaminated by failing and/or inadequate septic systems - making individual testing unnecessary.
Question:
Why has the Region not listened to the wishes of Wainfleet Lakeshore residents?
Answer:
The wishes of Wainfleet residents, both for and against the project, have been considered and responded to. These wishes, however, are only some of the many considerations that must be balanced in the decision-making process. For example, liability issues and overall government roles and responsibilities must also be considered in addressing issues such as these serious public health and safety as well as environmental problems.
Question:
Have residents been sick from drinking the water?
Answer:
While we have not documented an increase in illness in this community, the
role of Public Health is not to wait until an outbreak occurs then delve
backwards in an attempt to identify the source. One of the Public Health
Department’s functions is to identify potential risks to health, educate
the affected portion of the public and advocate for elimination of that
source. Research indicates that less than 10% of enteric illness (vomiting,
diarrhea, fever, stomach cramps) is reported. For the cases which are reported,
it may not be possible to conclusively determine the source of infection.
While microbes, such as bacteria and viruses, are the contaminants with
the greatest chance of reaching levels high enough to cause acute health
effects, most people's bodies can fight off these microbial contaminants
the way they fight off germs, and these acute contaminants typically don't
have permanent effects. Nonetheless, when high enough levels occur, they
can make people ill, and can be dangerous or deadly for a person whose immune
system is already weak due to an underlying illness, such as cancer, HIV/AIDS
or kidney disease. In addition, enteric illness is not the only adverse
health outcome which can arise from drinking contaminated water. Long-term
consumption may result in liver or kidney problems. Consumption of water
with excessive concentrations of nitrates can be serious or even deadly
for very young children and can have adverse health effects for adults.
Question:
Why is the status quo not an option?
Answer:
The level of contamination in private drinking water supplies in the affected
area is simply unacceptable. Some residents appear to feel that the situation
can be managed by the use of bottled water for drinking purposes. While
we have made every effort to ensure the current population is aware of the
risks from consuming contaminated water, it must be noted that there is
a transient cottage population which is difficult to reach. Furthermore,
the Public Health Department has no authority to prevent the sale of a home.
If the prospective purchaser requests a file search or an inspection, information
is provided, in writing, listing any limitations on the existing or future
use of the property. Where this inspection identifies defects in a system,
the existing owner is required to correct these defects. It should be noted
that the Ontario Building Code only requires the system to be repaired,
not brought up to current standards.
Question:
Test results of a sample of my private well water showed that nitrate was
present in high levels. What does this mean?
Answer:
Nitrates and nitrites are nitrogen-oxygen chemical units that can be present
in drinking water. Nitrates levels that are present in your private well
water supply in excess of 10 milligrams* per litre (mg/L) are a health concern.
The main sources of organic nitrates include human sewage, livestock manure
and fertilizers. Excessive levels in drinking water can cause illness, especially
in infants. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency summarizes the potential
health effects which can arise from consumption of water with elevated nitrates:
Families with pregnant women or newborns are at most risk of problems related
to nitrates and nitrites. Water should not be used to mix baby formula if
it has been contaminated by nitrates. Use bottled water instead.
If you have any questions relating to the results of the analysis of your
well water please feel free to call Bill Hunter, Manager of Health Protection
and Promotion, at 905-688-3762.
*A milligram equals 1/1,000 of a gram.
Question:
Test results of a sample of my private well water supply showed a high level
of sodium. What does that mean and what should I do?
Answer:
The Ontario Drinking Water Standards (ODWS) do not specify a maximum acceptable
concentration for sodium in its health parameters. An aesthetic objective
of 200 mg/L has been set since at that level it can be detected by a salty
taste. However, persons suffering from hypertension or congestive heart
disease may benefit from a sodium restricted diet and for that reason the
ODWS require that sodium levels be included in routine monitoring of municipal
water supplies and that the local Medical Officer of Health be notified
when sodium concentrations exceed 20mg/L. This is so that the information
can be passed on to local physicians and can be taken into account when
dietary advice is being given to those patients. Therefore, if you or someone
in your family is on a sodium-restricted diet, you may wish to discuss these
results with your family physician.
As previously stated, it is important to note that the presence of sodium
in excess of 20 mg/L should not be construed as a threat to health. Sodium
is an essential nutrient. The Food and Nutrition Board of the U.S. National
Research Council recommends that most healthy adults need to consume at
least 500 mg/day. Sodium is not toxic. Consumption of sodium in excess of
10 grams per day by normal adults does not result in any apparent adverse
health effects. In addition the average intake of sodium from water is only
a small fraction of that consumed in a normal diet.
If you use a standard, domestic water softener, you may not be aware that
softening increases the sodium level in drinking water and may contribute
a significant percentage to the daily sodium intake for a consumer on a
sodium-restricted diet. For such individuals it is recommended that a separate
non-softened supply be considered for cooking and drinking purposes. Alternatively,
there are no-salt water softeners in the market which utilize alternative
technologies such as amplified catalytic power.
*A milligram equals 1/1,000 of a gram.
Question:
Has Boil Water Order or Advisory been issued by the Medical Officer of Health
for the Township of Wainfleet?
Answer:
Keep up-to-date by visiting this page:
Wainfleet Boil Water Advisory Page
Question:
The Sanitary Survey 2001 conducted by the Regional Niagara Public Health
Department notes that a private communal water system, regulated by the
Ministry of the Environment, provides the majority of residents with drinking
water. Only three (3) percent of residents rely on cisterns and private
wells. Is extending this communal water system to others feasible in terms
of providing potable drinking water to the 3% of homeowners who currently
rely on private well supplies?
Answer:
Niagara Region Public Health examined the Long Beach
only. The communal water system in that area is privately operated. Neither
the Region nor the Township can require the operator of that system to take
on additional customers.
Question:
Why haven’t present laws been enforced to force septic tank and holding
tank repairs?
Answer:
A failing septic tank system is not just one which ponds on the surface.
Many systems are draining straight to the water table. Without adequate
natural treatment they’re contaminating the source of drinking water for
residents. This takes place below the surface and evidence to permit laying
charges cannot be easily gathered. Nevertheless, homeowners have been ordered
to correct deficiencies where the evidence of failure is apparent.
Question:
What is the role of the Medical Officer of Health in this entire issue?
Answer:
The Health Protection and Promotion Act outlines the authority of the Medical
Officer of Health to protect residents from potential and real environmental
health hazards. The Medical Officer of Health has identified a potentially
serious health hazard in the lakeshore communities in Wainfleet. In the
short-term, the Medical Officer of Health has gone to great lengths to ensure
residents are aware of the risk to health and can take appropriate action
to protect themselves and their families. In the long-term, a permanent
community solution is required and the Medical Officer of Health looks to
the EA process to identify the appropriate solution.
Question:
Is only the south side of lakeshore effected ?
Answer:
Concentrated development has taken place on the south side and that is where
studies indicate that a significant community problem exists.
Question:
Is the regional government checking all the other places under their jurisdiction
for water run off and contamination?
Answer:
Where complaints are received or contamination is evident, the Regional
Niagara Public Health Department and/or the Ministry of the Environment
will instigate investigations.
Question:
I own a cottage that I rent during the summer. What are my responsibilities?
Answer:
Persons leasing or renting accommodation (cottages, rental units, and housing)
are legally required to provide tenants and seasonal renters with a potable
(healthy and safe) water supply.
Question:
Why are developers allowed to participate in the Official Plan workshops?
All Wainfleet landowners have the right to participate in the Official Plan process, and some developers also happen to be landowners.
Question:
Why did Council approve a communal septic system?
Township Council approved a communal septic system for a condominium development on April 28, 2009 because the Condominium Corporation will assume all responsibility for the operation, maintenance and costs of the system. The agreement ensures that there will be no cost to the municipality.
From the Region's perspective, since the development in question is a condominium, communal water and wastewater services are considered a private versus a municipal operation. The approval of the communal systems will be considered by the Ministry of Environment. In addition, an application for a plan of condominium will need to be approved by the Township that will require one or more legal agreements to ensure that owners of condominium units collectively own the communal systems and are responsible for all costs associated with the operation, maintenance and replacement of the systems through condominium fees and reserve funds.
PLC Meet and Greet - Q&A
Minister's Conditions:
Question:
There are 5 Minister's conditions not 15 as stated at the PLC Meet and Greet.
Answer:
There are 15 Minister's conditions numbered 1 to 15. They are grouped into five topic areas: Cost Evaluation and Sharing Plan; Social Impact Assessment; Natural Resources Impact Assessment; Archaeology; and Public Consultation.
Question:
What is the Region's and the Health Department’s Plan B if the Region and Township shoot down this project because of the cost?
Answer:
Both Township and Regional Councils have approved a municipal system. We are working to provide both Councils with updated cost information as well as fulfilling the Ministers' conditions
Construction
Question:
Is this project going to be phased in if done and approved?
Answer:
Yes. A project of this size and length will need to be phased. The phasing will be determined through detailed design and discussion with the Lakeshore Community to ensure the community’s needs for access are incorporated into the phasing plan.
Development
Question:
Who are the developers who want this servicing? How many properties are owned by these speculators?
Answer:
We do not have information on private development interests or land speculation. Information on active development applications, which would be for private servicing, can be obtained from the Township Planning office.
Studies
Question:
I find it interesting that there will be studies on the flowers and the trees, the birds and the bees, the fishes and the rocks and the streams, the aboriginal people who, as far as I know, have no claims in Wainfleet, and even the dead, but no study of those who live in the area to be serviced.
Answer:
The Social Impact Assessment Study is the report that speaks to the impacts on people who live in the area.
Question:
Until you understand who has poor or non-functioning waste systems, how can you move ahead with this plan? These systems very poor, nonfunctioning or no system should be addressed while this process is underway.
Answer:
Groundwater quality assessments clearly indicate improperly functioning septic systems. Studies have concluded that based on the volume of septic effluent and concentration of small lots the aquifer is being contaminated by failing and/or inadequate septic systems - making individual testing unnecessary. Further, the Region responds to complaints regarding septic systems consistent with past service levels.
Engineering:
Question:
How large are the pumping stations going to be – particularly the one on Morgans' Point Road?
Answer:
At this point, we do not have a size for any of the proposed pumping stations. This will be done in one of the studies in Phase 2 – the Engineering Design.
Question:
Why hook up to Port Colborne? Isn’t it failing?
Answer:
There is a planned expansion of the Port Colborne Wastewater Plant that includes the necessary capacity for Wainfleet.
Question:
Why can’t we have our own treatment plant instead of hooking to Port because there seems to be a lot of property to do so.
Answer:
There are two reasons that the hook up would be to Port Colborne:
- It is less expensive than a separate plant
- Siting a plant in Wainfleet would require an outfall from the plant so that the treated wastewater is discharged to a water body such as Lake Erie. It was determined that the best solution for the environment was to use the existing treatment facilities in Port Colborne, including the outfall.
Question:
On the map Reeb Road and Augustine were and the same but it was confusing. Where the hook up would start by property?
Answer:
Thank you for noticing that and we will ensure the map is made clearer. The watermains will be in the roads. Hook up from the road to the property is done in discussion with the homeowner and depends on the elevation of the house; whether there is a basement and how deep it is; and where the plumbing is in the house (i.e. in which part of the house the kitchen, bathrooms, and laundry room are located). For example, if all the plumbing in your house is on the east wall, we would work with you to bring the line into the east side of the house.
Question:
Where are the fire hydrants?
Answer:
The design part of Phase 2 will look at options with and without fire hydrants to assess the feasibility and cost of fire hydrants.
Question:
How extensive has the testing for rock which will need to be excavated?
Answer:
Borehole samples of the soil and rock in the area have been completed for the entire project area. 120 boreholes have been drilled to date; further borehole testing will be done as part of preliminary design work.
Question:
Who would be responsible for sewage backup?
Answer:
Generally the homeowner is responsible unless a system failure in the public right of way is the cause. Please note that the system will be a separated system of sewage only (no storm water) so backups should not occur.
Question:
Groundwater has always been polluted and will always be contaminated. How will the new quarry affect the water table?
Answer:
The Ministry of Natural Resources is responsible for approval of new quarry licenses and the Ministry of the Environment is responsible for approval of a permit to take water, if required. The MOE is responsible for ensuring other water resource needs are not negatively affected by such PTTW, such as private water wells. The quarry has an Adaptive Management Strategy to mitigate impacts if documented.
Question:
There have been several reports stating that the City of Port Colborne has amongst the worst municipal water/wastewater systems in the Niagara Region. How can it make any rational sense to even consider extending from such municipal infrastructures?
Answer:
There is a planned upgrade of the Port Colborne Sewage plant that will include capacity for Wainfleet, should the Wainfleet project go ahead. The planned upgrade at Port Colborne will go ahead as it includes improvements to plant processes so that the treated wastewater is of a higher quality.
Financial
Question:
Will there be any impacts to the taxpayers at large and are they aware of this?
Answer:
The Regional share of the project cost will be funded through the Regional rate program. For this reason, up to four members of the Public Liaison Committee represent the Region.
Question:
Why didn't Peter Partington ask for infrastructure funding when requesting $126.5 million for the Region ... other towns such as Grimsby were named, but nothing was said about Wainfleet?
Answer:
The infrastructure funding programs available now are for “shovel ready” projects. The Wainfleet servicing project is still being worked on. However, it is a long term project for which funding opportunities are being sought on an ongoing basis.
Question:
Why did the Region or Council apply for COMRIF funding three times knowing that funding wouldn’t be considered until they were in the actual design phase?
Answer:
The Township applied for COMRIF funding as it was an available program. As with any project, we will continue to look for sources of funding to minimize the cost to taxpayers.
Question:
From past experience – they have suggested home owners that the final cost would be x # of $, only to be told after the project was done that the cost is many thousands over what was suggested. Cost over-runs from project. Is there any way if there are any engineering errors that the engineering company eat those costs.
Answer:
We will work to ensure that the cost estimates are as accurate as possible to minimize or hopefully eliminate any cost increases. If there are additional costs, these will be looked at as to how they should be paid for. Unfortunately it is difficult to state categorically how cost over-runs, if they happen, will be funded because it depends on whether it is the Region's or the Township's responsibility and whether it was the responsibility of the engineer, the contractor, some other party, or something that could not have been anticipated.
Question:
We live outside of the study area but live south of the Gord Harry Trail. Does the project include all of the original study area?
Answer:
No. The project includes the Lakeshore Community – please refer to the attached map and the area outlined in red.
Question:
I would like to know why we would be charged anymore than any other person in the Region for hook-up and household use?
Answer:
In terms of hook-up, the legislation requires that the cost of the specific project be attributable to those benefitting from the project. Thus, each project is costed out and those who benefit pay. The costs of projects vary depending on local circumstances such as geology, length of service, and depth of service.
Question:
What about agricultural property on the Lakeshore? If churches and cemeteries are exempt, what about farm land?
Answer:
The issue of exemptions will be reviewed as part of the Financial Study. The information will be the subject of further public consultation.
Question:
Is more burden put on homeowner to maintain equipment?
Answer:
In the case of a traditional municipal system, no, the burden is less. Other technologies such as grinder pumps and Clearford systems do have some responsibility of maintenance by the homeowner.
Question:
Who is going to pay for all this?
Answer:
In the case of a traditional municipal system, no, the burden is less. Other technologies such as grinder pumps and Clearford systems do have some responsibility of maintenance by the homeowner.
Question:
Who is going to pay – just those hooked on the system? Or all Wainfleet residents? Personally I think all should share the cost, was all use the lake.
Answer:
The costs would be paid by those “benefitting” per the legislation so only those hooking up would pay.
Meet and Greet
Question:
Where did you get these questions from for the questionnaire? Did the Region feed them to you or did your consulting company actually come up with them?
Answer:
The questions were prepared by the Project Team and reviewed by the facilitator and the Public Liaison Committee members.
Property
Question:
Some people noticed on the map that properties came out past the shoreline ... is this because they were deed beyond on the water's edge? What effect would this have if any?
Answer:
The property information is taken from provincial and local sources of property data. There are properties that extend beyond the shoreline based on the data we have. Please note that this is not survey level data for an individual property and people should always check their property against a legal survey. That being said, the shoreline is not relevant to the servicing decision as services generally go into the roads and not the shoreline.
Water Quality
Question:
How many wells are there? Not what the EA says as those records are not accurate.
Answer:
There are approximately 1,300 properties and most are serviced by individual wells or cisterns while some properties are in the Long Beach Communal Well System. The number of wells in the EA was taken from a combination of sources. This is the best available information we have as the well surveys have been done as a sample of properties and did not include all properties.
Question:
The wells are dug, drilled, artesian and beach. Beach wells draw their water from the lake, so they are not groundwater. How many beach wells?
Answer:
Our well surveys are based on a sample of the Lakeshore properties and show that 16 percent of the survey sample of wells were beach wells.
Question:
When and what is the Health Department and the Region going to do about those in the B.W.A. but not in the pipeline?
Answer:
The BWA will remain in place due to the contaminated groundwater until a permanent solution is in place. The Health Department will work with individuals not in the service area to address their specific onsite issues and solutions.
Question:
Why could the Health Department and the Region not get out of the BWA before now?
Answer:
The continued contamination of the groundwater means that the BWA will remain in effect until a permanent solution is in place.
Question:
There have been many properties that have been built or renovated and the Health Department has asked/told that these owners upgrade their systems in the last four years. How many have been upgraded?
Answer:
Our information is available only on an aggregate basis for the Township:
- 2006: 47 (includes new systems and upgrades)
- 2007: 32 (includes new systems and upgrades)
- 2008: 34 (includes new systems and upgrades)
Question:
Follow up to this question – has the Health Department given these owners any information on how to take care of their new systems?
Answer:
Yes, an information guide is given to each property owner for each new system.
Question:
How long do we have to live with the Boil Water Advisory? Can not the Health Department do something about it?
Answer:
The Boil Water Advisory will remain in effect until a permanent solution is implemented.
Question:
Have been interested in the consultants for the Region stating that the Region has a policy which states no further treatment facilities will be condoned. What public works report to the Region contained this recommendation; when did Regional Public Works adopt the report and recommendation; and when did Regional Council adopt the Public Works recommendation?
Answer:
The Region does not have such a policy.
Question:
Why is Haldimand water okay?
Answer:
We do not have any information on water quality in Haldimand County's lakeshore area.
