Review-Mirror

Contractors hauling wastewater from Westport's lagoon for treatment in Smiths Falls last March. The Review-Mirror February 23, 2017 – 16 With the Snowfluent treatment system appar- ently exceeding expecta- tions of late, the Village of Westport may avoid truck- ing as much wastewater as originally thought. Village engineer Max Christie told Council at Tuesday night's meeting the lagoons have about 50,000 m3 of available space, translating into a possible 120 days of grace. "The young guy from OCWA up there, is doing a great job at freeze crystal- lization," Christie said. With the exception of a few nights at the end of the current 14-day forecast, the weather is now too warm for the system to operate. The village usually sends an average of about 10,000 m3 per month to the lagoons, on an annual basis but those amounts are higher in the spring with sump pumps and var- ious other yet to be deter- mined infiltration issues. "It is a mug's game – it might rain all of June – all I can do is work with aver- ages," he said. The village hauled wastewater in 2014 and 2016. Last year cost about $400,000 but Christie doesn't think it will be as bad this time around. In 2014, the total costs were higher as it was an emer- gency situation. "We don't need to empty the lagoons like last time," said Christie. With Snowfluent restricted to -7°C and colder, the goal between hauling wastewater to Smiths Falls, and summer land application, was to empty out as much as pos- sible. This year, the village hope to have the filter bed system up and running and it will need effluent to process. Council was also hop- ing to have an AECOM representative at Tues- day's meeting to give council an update on the design of the new system and a timeline but that won't be until March 6. Westport is also seek- ing permission from the Ministry of the Environ- ment for summer land application one last time. Because construction is expected to be underway, the process now involves the Ministry of Labour as well. Christie is currently requesting proposals from various companies for hauling. Hauling wastewater may cost less as Snowfluent leaves lagoons with 50,000m 3 of space THANK YOU FOR 30 YEARS CLOSING SALE starting Wed., March 1st until everything is gone WILL BE CLOSING AFTER 30 YEARS Thank you for supporting us all these 30 years Inger and son Randy & Northern Edge 2 Church Street, Westport • 613-273-3287 When all stock is sold, the Westport property, with 6,000 sq. ft. building, and Loon Village in Newboro, will be for sale.

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