This study is now in Phase 3 of the Class Environmental Assessment process. This includes a review and evaluation of alternative design concepts of the preferred solution. This phase will be supported by further investigations to identify potential impacts to the environment that alternative design concepts may present and help identify mitigation measures to deal with potential issues such as odour, noise, impact to surrounding land use and traffic.
Through this phase, the preferred solution will be refined to select the siting of the plant along Rexinger Rd. and confirm the detailed alignment and construction sites for the associated sewer strategy and plant outfall.
The next public information centre is currently planned for February 2021. During this event, the team will present the preliminary preferred design and construction concepts for the preferred solution. Following rigorous evaluation and stakeholder consultation, the study has completed Phase 2 of the Municipal Environmental Assessment Class Environmental Assessment process and has selected the preferred wastewater servicing solution. You can find images of the preferred location in the image gallery.
The south Niagara Falls class environmental assessment includes three critical components:
The preliminary preferred solution for the three project components were presented at the third public information centre on March 11, 2020.
The short list was evaluated against each other using a set of weighted criteria: environmental (25 per cent), social / cultural (25 per cent), legal / jurisdictional (10 per cent), technical (20 per cent) and financial (20 per cent). This weighting was presented to the public for feedback at our second public information centre on November 20, 2019.
In addition to the criteria, the Region has consulted with an extensive stakeholder group including: the City of Niagara Falls, the City of Thorold, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Ontario Power Generation, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, residents, businesses and property owners of short-listed sites for feedback to help inform the decision-making process.
The full decision-making process and the breakdown of the results of the evaluation can be found on the public information centre #3 display boards.
Following the third public information centre, and review and consideration of stakeholder input, the preferred solution was selected:
Following rigorous evaluation and stakeholder consultation, the study has completed Phase 2 of the Municipal Environmental Assessment Class Environmental Assessment process and has selected the preferred wastewater servicing solution. You can find images of the preferred location in the image gallery.
The south Niagara Falls class environmental assessment includes three critical components:
The preliminary preferred solution for the three project components was presented at the third public information centre on March 11, 2020.
The short list was evaluated against each other using a set of weighted criteria: environmental (25 per cent), social / cultural (25 per cent), legal / jurisdictional (10 per cent), technical (20 per cent) and financial (20 per cent). This weighting was presented to the public for feedback at our second public information centre on November 20, 2019.
In addition to the criteria, the Region has consulted with an extensive stakeholder group including: the City of Niagara Falls, the City of Thorold, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Ontario Power Generation, Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, residents, businesses and property owners of short-listed sites for feedback to help inform the decision-making process.
The full decision-making process and the breakdown of the results of the evaluation can be found on the public information centre #3 display boards.
Following the third public information centre, and review and consideration of stakeholder input, the preferred solution was selected:
Niagara Region is investing in tomorrow to make sure we have the infrastructure to serve current and future residents and businesses in Niagara.
A Schedule 'C' Class Environmental Assessment is underway to plan for a new wastewater treatment plant and improvements to wastewater systems in the South Niagara Falls area.
The new plant and system upgrades will meet growing needs and provide environmental benefits to the South Niagara Falls area. The public, stakeholders and agencies will be consulted and engaged through each step.
The environmental assessment is a transparent, mandated process that will identify and confirm some important factors:
We undertook an integrated process called Niagara 2041 where the Region looked at water and wastewater infrastructure, growth planning and transportation to establish a plan for Niagara's future. Of the total growth (employment and population) expected in Niagara Falls by 2041, 64 per cent of that growth is expected in South Niagara Falls area.
Under this process, the 2016 Water and Wastewater Master Servicing Plan Update was completed. A key recommendation was to establish a new wastewater treatment plant in the South Niagara Falls area and have the sewer systems in the southern area connect to this new facility. Niagara Region Council and Niagara Falls Council adopted these recommendations in 2017.
april 4, 2019
Notice of study commencement issued
May 28, 2019
Public information centre #1
Study purpose and objectives
Overview of the Environmental Assessment process
spring to Fall 2019
Public information centre #2
Identify evaluation criteria for selecting preferred site
Review long-list of potential sites for the new wastewater treatment plant
fall 2019 to winter 2020 (January - March)
Apply the evaluation criteria to the long-list of identified sites in order to select the optimum combination of plant site, outfall location and sewer system connections.
Select preliminary preferred solution, including site, plant outfall location and conceptual sewer routes.
Public information centre #3
winter 2020 (january-march) to december 2020
Validate preferred solution and present preliminary preferred design concept
Select preferred technology and construction requirements.
Determine timing for design and construction.
Public information centre #4
end of 2020 to early 2021
Finalize Environmental Study Report
Notice of study completion
Finalize conceptual design
File Environmental Study Report
Public review period
Lisa Vespi
Project Manager
Niagara Region
905-980-6000 ext. 3640
Email Lisa Vespi
Chris Hamel
Consultant Project Manager
GM BluePlan Engineering Limited
416-703-0667
chris.hamel@gmblueplan.ca
Public engagement is an important part of this project. The next public information centre will be taking place in February 2021. Check back for specific date, time and location.
Public Information Centre #1
Public Information Centre #2
Public Information Centre #3