Wastewater Treatment System Upgrade Update From Village Of Cumberland

The Village of Cumberland has provided an update as it upgrades its wastewater treatment system to meet provincial standards.

The work also fulfills environmental goals to remove man-made toxins, restore degraded ecosystems and release safe water into Maple Lake Creek and the Trent River, which flows into Baynes Sound.

Contractors continue to set up on site with last month’s work focusing on ground preparation, getting the subgrades ready for construction, and completing the closure of an old exploratory mine borehole that was discovered last year.

In the coming months, the focus of the work will be on the extensive grading required for updates, along with installation of underground electrical and air piping.

Construction work will continue all of this year and will be entirely on the site of the wastewater treatment facility off of Ulverston Road.

However, people in the area should expect increased traffic and noise and ensure they stay off of the access road to the site. There are trails nearby that keep you safely out of the construction zone.

In February 2024, council approved a budget increase on the project to cover additional expenses caused by increased materials costs, unexpected site conditions, delays in detailed design, a partial re-design to build in climate resiliency, and other factors.

The upgrades are critical to meeting provincial standards as the Village’s wastewater treatment system is currently out of compliance.

The Village would face significant fines if upgrades were not complete.

The project includes two phases. with the lagoon upgrades as the primary focus.

Work began in 2022 and is estimated to be completed this year.

Phase 2 includes work that will improve treatment but is not required by regulation.

There are two information sessions coming for Cumberland residents who want to learn more about the long-term planning process for wastewater in the community, and the final tasks to complete the work.

They will take place Tuesday, February 25th in Cumberland Council Chambers.

The sessions will run 4:45-5:45 pm and 6:00-7:00 pm.

To learn more, visit Village of Cumberland.