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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2015-06-17, Page 1010 News Record • Wednesday, June 17, 2015 Grand Bend area Wastewater Treatment Facility celebrates milestone Lynda Hillman-Rapley Postmedia Network The Grand Bend Area Waste- water Treatment Facility (WWTF) marked a milestone today. At a celebration attended by municipal, provincial and federal partners, the facility offi- cially received the Envision Platinum Award from the Insti- tute for Sustainable Infrastruc- ture (ISI). Located on the shoreline of Lake Huron, the Grand Bend Area WWTF is the first ISI Envi- sionverification in Canada, and the first wastewater facility to be ISI Envision -verified in the world. The idea for this expan- sion began in the early 1990s and Build Canada Funding accepted their the project for funding in 2009. "This is a long time coming, said Lambton Shores mayor Bill Weber. The municipalities of Lamb - ton Shores and South Huron commissioned global design firm Stantec to convert one of four existing lagoons into an extended aeration mechanical treatment facility and wetland nature reserve. The facility pre- vents effluent discharges from adversely impacting surface and groundwater quality and allows for responsible commu- nity development Stantec used the ISI Envision framework during the design to integrate sustainable features throughout the facility. "As both the first project in Canada and the first wastewa- ter facility in North America to earn an Envision award, the Grand Bend Area Wastewater Treatment Facility takes into account the needs, goals, and plans of the communities affected by the project," said ISI Vice President for Operations, Lynda Hillman-Rapley Postmedia Network Bluewater, Lambton Shores and South Huron municipal representatives, current and former and staff gathered on the Mollard Line lagoon location on Wednesday to celebrate the Envision Platinum award for their sustainable infrastructure. Jenn Rivers. "The project earned Envision Plati- num, the highest level award, by creating an affordable, flexi- ble, and responsive design to meet the needs of the commu- nities it serves, and by protect- ing the environment. Stantec and the Lambton and South Huron municipalities made sig- nificantpublic commitments to the principles of sustainability, and they involved the commu- nity on key project issues and concems, and made sustaina- ble design choices:' Key sustainable features include a constructed wetland to support native wildlife spe- cies and further buffer treated effluent, flexible design that makes the facility responsive to changing sewage flows, reduced construction and operational costs through a focus on efficiency, construct- ing the project within the boundaries of the original facil- ity's footprint to protect prime farmland, and trails and inter- pretive signage to encourage communityvisitors. "The Municipality of Lamb - ton Shores is excited to have achieved ISI Envision verifica- tion of the Grand Bend Area BE HERE -- FOR v-. F i THE ROAR! Sot -lune 27 Local Trucks pull at 1pm Super/Modified Trucks & Tractors pull at 5pm 2km south of Paisley on County Rd 3 More info: www.bruceheritage.com WWTF with our partners - the Municipality of South Huron and Stantec, said Mayor Weber. "This has been a long project and not without challenges. This is a complete success story for the future of Lambton Shores and South Huron and eventually Bluewater. We have done here something no one has done. We are fortunate to reside beside the beautiful Lake Huron coastline and we take great pride in our efforts to achieve sustainability. We hope this project will pave the way for others in Canada to pursue Envision verification in their infrastructure designs:' South Huron Mayor, Mau- reen Cole, (who was not in attendance) called the entire project a team effort. "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together," said Mayor Cole. "The collaborative effort of past and present councils, led by the innovative team at Stantec, has resulted in a world class waste treatment facility. It not only protects and maintains the Lake Huron coastline, but also that of our fresh water supply. This is a gift for generations to come." With equal contributions from the federal and provin- cial governments, this project hu Q received total funding of up $14.4 million under the Build- ing Canada Fund - Commu- nities Component. This pro- gram supports the improvement and revitaliza- tion of public infrastructure in communities across the prov- ince with fewer than 100,000 residents. The governments of Canada and Ontario are continuing to work in joint partnership with municipali- ties to build a strong econ- omy, safe and vibrant com- munities, and a healthy, sustainable environment. "Our Government is pleased to support municipal- ities such as Lambton Shores who are committed to improving local infrastructure while protecting the environ- ment," said Bev Shipley, Member of Parliament for Lambton—Kent—Middlesex. "Important infrastructure like this is of great benefit - it sup- ports a cleaner environment and contributes to the overall prosperity of our local com- munities:' Bill Strong, on hand representing Huron Bruce MP Ben Lobb, said this project has been a top priority since 2006. "We need this to keep our lake clean and we need this for growth," he said. "Our government is sup- porting the expansion and upgrading of the Grand Bend Area Wastewater Treatment facility so that we can protect the environment, and con- tinue to provide clean water for the residents and busi- nesses of Lambton Shores," said Deb Matthews, Member of Provincial Parliament for London North Centre. "Infra- structure investments like these are strengthening com- munities and creating jobs across Ontario:' Currently under construc- tion, the Grand Bend Area WWTF is scheduled for com- pletion early 2016. Laura Broadley Clinton News Record Students in the co-op and manufacturing classes at CHSS heard a presentation from CWA Foundation executive director, Deborah Mates. From left to right, Jacob Moon, Devon Newell,Alexis Edward, Deborah Mates, co-op teacher Shane Taylor and manufacturing teacher Joe Van Bake!. Welding is (part of) the future Laura Broadley Clinton News Record Deborah Mates' job is to give money away. Mates is the executive director of the Canadian Welding Association Founda- tion and she is helping stu- dents become welders. The CWA helps fund welding stu- dents' schooling. Mates came to Central Huron Secondary School last Wednesday to do a presenta- tion to the co-op and manu- facturing students. There are over 40 types of manufacturing technologies and Mates wants to eliminate the misconception that weld- ing is a dirty process. There are a lot of clean processes in welding and lots of different types of people doing the jobs, said Mates. There are the typical jobs in welding but pacemakers, jew- elry and even human flesh can be welded, Mates explained. CHSS student, Alexis Edward, said she wasn't inter- ested in welding until a few weeks ago after attending the Young Women in Skilled Trades program in Stratford. Talking to women in the trades inspired her to look fur- ther into a career in welding. Mates said that women make really good welders because their dexterity tends to be better than men. Unlike Edward, Jacob Moon has known where his career path will lead him. He is a mostly self-taught welder and is currently looking for an apprenticeship. He recently competed in the Ontario Technological Skills Competi- tion welding qualifier at Fan- shawe College in London. He placed 25 out of 84 participants. The welding industry is growing and Canada, specifi- cally the West coast, is in need of trained welders. That's where Mates comes in. The CWA Foundation is offering two awards, one for high school students and one for students in post -secondary school. For more information and to apply go to www.cwa. foundation.org/about-us/our- initiatives. The deadline is November 30, 2015. clintonnewsrecord.com WED - FRI 10AM-5:30PM SATURDAY 10AM-4PM a- 1 ta- 5 15 Victoria St. Clinton FASHION BOUTIQUE 519.482.7180 *spring excludes merchandise and accessories ©1\-YA© o •o ff It Starts with Your www.pitch-if1.ca. PITCH -IN CANADAI