Kensington Becomes Canada's First Community with Wind-Powered Wastewater Treatment

(L-R) Minister Carolyn Bertram, Kensington Deputy Mayor Rodney Mann, and Minister Gail Shea cutting the ribbon to officially commission the Kensington Wastewater Treatment Facilities Wind Turbine. Photo by Brian Simpson.

Residents of Kensington, P.E.I. will soon have an energy-efficient wastewater treatment thanks to the purchase of a wind turbine.

The turbine, funded in part by the Canada-Prince Edward Island Gas Tax Agreement, will generate environmentally sustainable electricity for the Kensington wastewater treatment plant. The turbine, constructed in late spring 2009, was the first municipally-owned turbine to be erected in the province and, according to Kensington officials, they are the first community in Canada with a wind-powered wastewater utility.

Funding of $265,000 was provided by the Canada-Prince Edward Island Gas Tax Agreement for the purchase of the wind turbine. Total project costs amounted to $531,000, with the balance funded by the Town of Kensington.