A $100 million environmental success story

In 2003, the City of Kingston faced a critical decision. The Ravensview Wastewater Treatment Plant was reaching capacity because of growth, deteriorating sewers, increased infiltration flows and other reasons. With $25 million in funding from the province, the City and Utilities Kingston, who operate and manage the facility, decided to spend more than $100 million on upgrading Ravensview and turning it into a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant. The project took three years, opening in 2009 approximately six months ahead of schedule and 10 per cent under budget.

The new plant has been a great success. In addition to meeting the strict provincial requirements for ammonia and chlorine, the other water quality by-products measured have been reduced to about 10 per cent of the 2003 levels. Some of the treatment chemicals have been reduced by 25 per cent. And electricity consumption is well below the design targets.

Ravensview has become an environmental show piece for Kingston. The upgrades have generated interest from municipalities in Canada and the United States, as well as China and the Caribbean. It has been the subject of publications and conference presentations.

Source: Utilities Kingston