Item - 2013.PW25.6

This is to provide an update on actions taken since the May 2011 direction from Council to implement Beneficial Use as the primary biosolids management strategy and Landfill Disposal as a contingency option for the Highland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (HCTP).

In March 2012, staff released a Request for Proposal (RFP) to retain Consulting services to prepare a conceptual design for the infrastructure necessary to implement the Council directed biosolids management program for HCTP.  A Conceptual Design Report is now complete and provides details on the requirements and costs associated with constructing a truck loading facility including the necessary odour controls as well as additional digesters to ensure biosolids meet regulatory standards for agricultural land application in Ontario.  

The November 2012 Staff Report to PWIC advised of the need to undertake a Schedule B Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) in order to pursue Council's direction.   The Staff Report advised that this course of action was chosen after consultation with the Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE) and addresses the risk of Part II Orders if the December 2009 Biosolids Master Plan is used as the approval document to implement Council direction.  The Environmental Assessment Act allows any interested parties to make a request to the MOE for a higher level of assessment for a Class EA project if they feel there are significant outstanding issues that have not been adequately addressed and could be addressed through an individual environmental assessment process. This is known as a Part II Order Request.  

The RFP for the Schedule B Class EA was developed with the input of Toronto Public Health (TPH) and the Toronto Energy and Environment Office (EEO).   TPH wrote the terms of reference and will oversee the development of the Health Impact Assessments for the alternatives under study.  The Toronto Energy and Environment Office wrote the requirements for Cumulative Impact Assessment regarding air emissions incorporating the City's in-house developed air model.   

A RFP to retain consulting services for the Schedule B Class EA was released April 19, 2013 but was subsequently withdrawn pending Council approval of this Staff Report.  It is anticipated that the EA will take approximately 12 months to complete from the execution date of a consulting services agreement and will cost approximately $500,000.  Costs could rise depending on the degree of stakeholder input and consultation as well as Part II Orders.

This report should be read in conjunction with the report from the General Manager, Toronto Water which provides an update on developments since the May 2011 direction from Council to implement Beneficial Use as the primary biosolids management strategy and Landfill Disposal as a contingency for the Highland Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant ("HCTP").  This report has been prepared to ensure that Committee and Council have the related legal advice for consideration along with the General Manager's report.