The Wellington Wastewater Treatment Plant is scheduled to undergo necessary maintenance and improvements.

During their Committee of the Whole meeting at Highline Hall in Wellington, the Council approved a motion on Thursday afternoon for the acquisition of a tertiary ozone disinfection treatment system. The system will be purchased at a total cost of $1.3 million.

The purpose of the ongoing work at the plant is to ensure compliance with the upcoming Federal Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations, which will take effect at the beginning of next year. These regulations require the plant to meet specific standards for non-toxic effluent, hence the necessary improvements being implemented.

According to Don Caza, the Director of Water/Wastewater, the municipality is anticipating savings of $25,000 in hydro costs alone by transitioning to the ozone disinfecting system.

To meet the non-toxic limits mandated for the wastewater effluent leaving the treatment plant, upgrades and a change in the treatment process are necessary. Currently, the plant relies on chlorination as a method of disinfection, but it needs to be replaced and improved.

Councillors also authorized staff to move forward with the construction of a building or prefabricated structure to house the disinfection system.

For this project, Prince Edward County allocated a budget of $3.1 million.