The Government of Ontario announced October 3 that construction is underway on a major overhaul of the Mattagami River Wastewater Treatment Plant. The plant, built in 1964, serves more than 40,000 people in Timmins and along the Mattagami River. Work is expected to be completed in 2016.

“Ongoing upgrades to the Mattagami River Wastewater Treatment Plant will not only improve the water of the Mattagami River, they will also benefit the local economy, enable population growth, provide healthier surroundings, and help protect the environment,” said Jay Aspin, MP for Nipissing-Timiskaming.

The project will increase the plant’s capacity by switching from a primary to secondary level of treatment, which will improve the quality of wastewater discharged into the Mattagami River. The enhancements will also improve wastewater collection, sludge treatment, and biosolids management to help the City of Timmins meet the federal government’s Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations. (For more on WSER, see “Running Out of Time” in Water Canada’s September/October 2014 issue.)

Both Canada and Ontario are contributing $19.8 million to the project, and the City of Timmins will provide the remaining $43.4 million, bringing the total project cost to $83.1 million.

“The environment and its effect on the health and safety of our residents is a prime concern,” said Timmins Mayor Tom Laughren. “Our treatment plant will be a state-of-the-art facility which will improve the quality of water we discharge into the Mattagami River.”

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