The City of Sudbury announced on May 7 that its new Sudbury Biosolids Management Facility is now operational. The facility is the first of its kind in the Province of Ontario.
The new facility replaces Vale’s tailings ponds, which had been in use for more than 30 years as a disposal site for waste activated sludge from the city’s wastewater treatment facilities. Changing environmental standards and bad odours made it necessary for the city to pursue a more sustainable sludge disposal practice.
“The new Biosolids Management Facility will reduce the impact of our waste on the environment while providing effective use of taxpayer dollars,” said Mayor Brian Bigger. “I want to thank Vale for allowing us to use their site over the years.”
The new centralized wastewater sludge dewatering and stabilization facility will produce Class A biosolids, and offers a safe, long-term, and modern approach to wastewater management. The construction of the facility was a $63.1 million project, and was completed as a public-private partnership, with the federal government contributing $11 million through the P3 Canada Fund.
“In implementing the P3 model, we are able to realize a number of benefits such as leveraging the experience of the private sector in operating this facility and distributing the end product,” said Tony Cecutti, General Manager of Infrastructure Services for the City of Greater Sudbury. “Utilizing the expertise of N-Viro allows us the opportunity to reduce operational costs and keep in line with industry best standards.”
An official grand opening of the facility is expected to take place in summer 2015.
