Author(s): J. M. Cunderlik; H. M. Brewer; G. Godin
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Abstract: An assimilative capacity study of Collingwood Harbour (Georgian Bay, Lake Huron, Canada) was conducted to predict water quality and ecologic impacts resulting from an expansion of the Collingwood Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), as well as to define effluent limits for the proposed WWTP expansion. The anticipated water quality and ecologic impacts associated with the expanded WWTP discharge were assessed using the Generalized Environmental Modelling System for Surface Waters (GEMSS). The GEMSS system was used to predict three dimensional plume movement in Collingwood Harbour under typical seasonal and extreme (worst-case) hydro-climatic conditions. Dynamic simulations of the modelling scenarios revealed that calm conditions during the summer represent the extreme worst-case condition for mixing in the Harbour. The simulations further showed that water quality conditions in the Harbour could be improved with the WWTP expansion by the combined effect of the relocation of the outfall from the shoreline to deeper waters of the Harbour, the use of a discharge diffuser, and the reduction of the effluent concentrations. The modelling results supported the potential expansion of the existing WWTP without tertiary treatment. However, risk assessment and the opportunity to provide an enhanced degree of environmental protection led to the resolution to upgrade to tertiary treatment for the proposed expansion.
Year: 2009