By: Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
Essex Council received the Lakeshore Fringe Area Sanitary Study Report that confirmed servicing this area is technically feasible, but would require a significant, long-term infrastructure investment to the tune of around $83.7M.
It would also require collaboration between Essex and Lakeshore and strategic planning, Essex Council heard during the February 17 meeting.
This study was undertaken per Council direction at the August 12 meeting.
The Lakeshore-Essex Fringe Area accounts for around 378-hectares of residential, commercial, and agricultural lands that are not currently serviced with municipal sewer collection or treatment systems.
These areas are generally located north and northwest of the Town of Essex, within the Municipality of Lakeshore, the Report to Council explains. They are currently serviced by private septic systems as identified in Lakeshore’s Master Plan.
Rob Mackie, Manager of Environmental Services, noted aging and malfunctioning septic systems pose environmental concerns and limit future development potential.
He noted the study reviewed available conveyance and capacity at the Essex Pollution Control Plant and the Essex Northeastern Lagoons.
“While both facilities currently have available capacity, full buildout of the fringe area would generate approximately 3500-cubic meters per day of additional wastewater, which would ultimately require infrastructure upgrades,” Mackie explained.
Consulting Firm Stantec evaluated several servicing alternatives, but preferred the option connecting the fringe area to the existing sewer network at multiple locations.
This approach distributes flow strategically and allows for the infrastructure upgrades to take place in phases.
The total estimated capital cost to fully service the area at ultimate buildout is around $83.7M. A significant portion would be associated with the eventual conversion of the Northeast Lagoons into a mechanical treatment plant upgrade, which would not be required immediately and would be triggered as capacity is approached.
There is currently no formal agreement with the municipality of Lakeshore regarding cost-sharing, capacity allocation, or timing, Mackie said, adding any future implementation would require further engineering, financial planning, and Council direction.
In answering Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais’s question on if completing smaller sections has been considered, Mackie said he was sure alternative options could be explored to complete smaller areas.
Council received the report, and in the future can look into seeing what can be done.
The report will also be presented to Lakeshore Council. If Lakeshore wants to look at the servicing, staff will inform Council, Director of Infrastructure Services, Kevin Girard, added.