Achieving Phosphorus Compliance at the Winnipeg’s largest sewer treatment plant
For the upcoming October 26th Winnipeg elections, we are calling on all candidates to commit to accelerated phosphorus removal at the North End Water Pollution Control Centre (NEWPCC).
Phosphorus is an important life-sustaining nutrient, but when too much is flushed into our lakes and rivers, they can be thrown off balance.
As the single largest point source of phosphorus to Lake Winnipeg, NEWPCC has needed phosphorus reduction upgrades for a very long time. Back in 2005, the province set a phosphorus limit of 1.0 mg/l. Deadlines to meet this limit have come and gone, while the lake suffers.
Together with our partners at the Lake Winnipeg Foundation (LWF) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), we are reminding voters and candidates about the critical steps to achieving phosphorus compliance.
Cost-effective and efficient solutions to meet phosphorus limits for sewage effluent have been implemented in jurisdictions across North America over the last half century. These solutions are supported by 50 years of research at the IISD Experimental Lakes Area.
With considerable public demand and support from the council, Winnipeg’s water and waste department put forward a plan to accelerate phosphorus compliance at NEWPCC. Construction begins soon on the Interim Phosphorus Removal Project, which uses ferric chloride to bind to phosphorus to settle out of the liquid waste. The resulting solid waste requires increased biosolids digester capacity for effective treatment. The next mayor and council will decide on the funding approval for much needed increased capacity.
You can read more in our newly released, Achieving Phosphorus Compliance report. Where we’ve outlined the key steps to accelerate phosphorus compliance at NEWPCC and the critical decisions put before the next mayor and council.
We asking all candidates to commit to achieving phosphorus compliance. You can help:
Read and share the report.
Ask your local candidates if they are committed to achieving phosphorus compliance at Winnipeg’s North End sewage treatment plant.