Wastewater Treatment Plant

Wastewater treatment plant

Environmental Protection Division

“Our mission is to protect our environment and public health safety by effectively managing wastewater generated in our community.”

Our City's Environmental Protection Division is responsible for the following activities:

  • Operation and maintenance of the Wastewater Treatment Plant
  • Operation and maintenance of 11 City sewage pumping stations
  • Operation and maintenance of Centennial Fountain
  • Operation and maintenance of the Millbrook Wastewater Treatment Plant
  • Operation and maintenance of the Burnham Meadows sewage pumping station
  • Maintenance of the City's wastewater collections system, storm and sewer
  • Environmental monitoring and enforcement the City's Sewer By-Law
  • Environment Protection Laboratory

Wastewater treatment plant

The Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is a Class 4 Conventional Treatment Plant, consisting of preliminary treatment (screening and grit removal), primary clarifiers, biological treatment using Integrated Fixed-film Activated Sludge, secondary clarifiers, four Anaerobic Digesters, Biosolids Centrifuges and UV disinfection. The plant is operated under an amended Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) No. 8750-9Q7MLH, issued November 2014.

Facts about our wastewater treatment plant

  • Our plant has an approved annual average daily flow capacity of 68,200 m3/day
  • The original Plant was built in the 1920s and has grown and evolved over the years
  • It is estimated that over $200 million has been invested into the plant
  • There is staff at the plant 24/7, 365 days a year
  • Remote monitoring of the 11 City of Peterborough owned sewage pumping stations and 1 Otonabee South Monaghan sewage pumping station
  • Treats an average of 80 mega litres of Leachate from the Peterborough Landfill annually
  • On average, removes 7,000 tonnes of biosolids annually
  • On average, treats 30,000 cubic metres of septage annually

Septage hauling program

The Wastewater Treatment Plant operates a septage hauling program for residents that are not connected to the municipal sewage system. This service is only for depositing septage; no other waste will be accepted under this program.

This service requires septage haulers to complete a Hauled Waste Discharge Permit Application Form.

Wastewater collection

The sanitary sewer and collection system collects and transports wastewater sewage from all residential, industrial, commercial, as well as other facilities connected to the sewer system to the wastewater treatment plant. The collection system is composed of gravity sewers, force mains and pumping stations.

The City's collection system is monitored continually and operated within compliance of all applicable legislation. Staff that maintain and operate the collection system are licensed and required to follow all regulatory requirements.

Wastewater collection staff is responsible for the maintenance of sanitary and storm infrastructure, CCTV camera, cleaning and pipe repair, catch basin and manhole restoration, as well, maintenance of the City's landfill leachate collection system. Staff also participate in confined space entries and spill response.

Wastewater Treatment Plant hours of operation

  • Monday to Thursday – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Friday – 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Closed weekends and statutory holidays