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ODOUR PROBLEMS - REGIONAL SEWER TREATMENT PLANT NEW MINAS

Area services by regional sewer treatment plant

The Municipality of the County of Kings is continuing to upgrade equipment and infrastructure at the Regional Sewer Treatment Plant in New Minas, with the goal of reducing the severity and duration of odours that can impact our communities.

There will be an increase in traffic and construction activity at the Regional Sewer Treatment Plant in New Minas while this work is underway. All efforts will be made to promptly address foul odours that may arise due to the nature of the work.

Pedestrians using the Harvest Moon Trail in New Minas are asked to be aware of trucks and heavy equipment crossing Jones Road to access the treatment plant this spring and summer.

Work scheduled to be completed by end of summer 2023:
  • Replace the aeration system and the main air supply lines for Lagoons 1 and 2.
  • Change the shape of Lagoon 1 to improve circulation and decrease sludge buildup.
  • Construct an on-site storage pad to support routine lagoon maintenance.
  • Remove sewage sludge and problematic debris from Lagoons 1 and 2.

These significant improvements have been awarded through public tender and are valued at approximately $3.6 million. The associated work will periodically require temporary adjustments to routine operations and disturbance of sludge. It is possible temporary odours may be noted in the vicinity of the Treatment Plant while the required work is underway. All efforts will be made to minimize the severity and duration of foul odours.

Recent steps undertaken/identified to improve Plant performance include:
  • A $920,000 replacement of the aeration system and main air supply lines for Lagoons 3, 4 and 5 was completed in 2020.
  • About 8,000 tonnes of sludge and inorganic debris was removed from holding lagoons during a $2.6-million desludging operation completed in the summer of 2021.
  • The on-site pump station that recirculates treated wastewater back into Lagoons 1 and 2 to dilute incoming sewage was refurbished in the fall of 2022 at a cost of $35,000.
  • A long-term sludge management plan, including recommendations for equipment, site storage, and staffing, will be developed in Fiscal Year 2023-24.

The Regional Sewer System services most residences and businesses between Greenwich and Coldbrook and is funded under partnership agreements between the Municipality, Village of New Minas, Town of Kentville, and Pepsico.

Citizens can be a part of the solution by being mindful of what they’re flushing down toilets and drains. Inorganic products and wipes of any sort – including those labelled “Flushable”, “Disposable”, or “Biodegradable” – interfere with the performance of aeration and screening equipment. The flushing of inorganic materials negatively impacts the treatment process, contributes to odours, and increases the risk of a sewer backup at a residence or business.

Comic rendering of 3 Ps

Documents
03-13-2023 Regional STP Community Update.pdf (149 KB)
04-28-2023 May 11 Public Meeting about Regional Treatment Plant odours.pdf (151 KB)
07-12-2022 Regional Sewer Planned Upgrades and Activities.pdf (613 KB)
July 2021 Desludging Overview.pdf (21741 KB)
June 13 2022 Regional Sewer Treatment Plant presentation.pdf (2360 KB)
June 15, 2022 Regional Sewer Odour Update.pdf (694 KB)
Lagoons 101 - How Wastewater Lagoons Work.pdf (652 KB)
Local Impact of Flushing Wipes and Inorganic Materials.pdf (957 KB)

Audio Files
Flush Gameshow.mp3 (531 KB)
The Three Ps.mp3 (505 KB)
The Unflushables.mp3 (529 KB)

For more information please contact:
Aaron Dondale
Manager of Operations
Engineering and Public Works
(902) 678-1807
adondale@countyofkings.ca