One-Sentence Summary

Council heard the Water Manager report progress on filter upgrades for heavy loading from algae blooms, reviewed the approved automotive materials stewardship agreement extending until December 31st, 2030, and addressed ongoing reconstruction tenders for streets including 32nd Street East and 6th Street where resurfacing work is underway.

Whole Meeting Summary

Presentation from the Manager of Water and Wastewater regarding the R.H. Neath facility details replacing previous water treatment systems lacking air scour with new underdrains to address climate change impacts, resolve blower fitment challenges, complete ultrasonic flow metre replacements, and target April 2026 completion. The committee supported Report OP-25-035 regarding an amending agreement with Automotive Materials Stewardship Inc to collect used oil filters, empty oil containers, and antifreeze until December 31st, 2030 under conditions requiring maintaining previous depot numbers. The Council awarded tenders in July for reconstruction projects on 32nd Street East and 16th Avenue north of 17th Street to 20th Street, while road resurfacing work is underway on 6th Street and 9th Avenue East.

Most Newsworthy Items

  • Council approved an amending agreement with Automotive Materials Stewardship Inc: Council approved an amending agreement with Automotive Materials Stewardship Inc to collect used oil filters, empty oil containers, and antifreeze until December 31st, 2030.
  • Council awarded tenders in July for reconstruction projects on 32nd Street East: Council awarded tenders in July for reconstruction projects on 32nd Street East and 16th Avenue north of 17th Street to 20th Street, with road resurfacing work underway on 6th Street and 9th Avenue East.
  • Bryce Presented an Update on the Water Treatment Plant Filter Improvement Project: Bryce presented an update on the water treatment plant filter improvement project at the City of Owen Sound R.H. Neath facility. The upgrade addresses heavy filter loading caused by climate change impacts like high turbidity events and algae blooms in Georgian Bay source water. Previous systems lacked air scour, requiring excessive water for backwashing and limiting optimal media separation. New underdrains with air scour technology will conserve water supply and support advanced granulated activated carbon media for taste and odor control. Significant progress has been made installing backwash blowers, process piping, ductwork, and electrical components while resolving challenges with blower fitment and regulatory approvals.
  • Manager Reported Replacing Ultrasonic Flow Metres with Magnetic Alternatives for Filter Commissioning: The Manager reported replacing ultrasonic flow metres with magnetic alternatives for filter commissioning while securing full-time construction site inspection despite provincial staffing challenges. The team addressed design issues regarding clear well access and limited backwash pump redundancy, noting the first filter commissioning is scheduled for the next couple of weeks with overall completion targeted for April 2026. During Q&A, the Manager clarified that backwash water is relatively clean due to good source quality and explained that discharge goes to a holding tank where sludge is periodically cleaned out after pump failures.

Meeting Recap

5.b Presentation from the Manager of Water and Wastewater Re Water Treatment

Bryce presented an update on the water treatment plant filter improvement project at the City of Owen Sound R.H. Neath facility to address heavy filter loading caused by climate change impacts like high turbidity events and algae blooms in Georgian Bay source water. The upgrade replaces previous systems lacking air scour with new underdrains featuring air scour technology to conserve water supply and support advanced granulated activated carbon media for taste and odor control. Significant progress has been made installing backwash blowers, process piping, ductwork, and electrical components while resolving challenges with blower fitment and regulatory approvals. The Manager also reported replacing ultrasonic flow metres with magnetic alternatives for filter commissioning despite provincial staffing challenges. First filter commissioning is scheduled for the next couple of weeks with overall completion targeted for April 2026.

Bryce Presented an Update on the Water Treatment Plant Filter Improvement Project

Bryce presented an update on the water treatment plant filter improvement project at the City of Owen Sound R.H. Neath facility. The upgrade addresses heavy filter loading caused by climate change impacts like high turbidity events and algae blooms in Georgian Bay source water. Previous systems lacked air scour, requiring excessive water for backwashing and limiting optimal media separation. New underdrains with air scour technology will conserve water supply and support advanced granulated activated carbon media for taste and odor control. Significant progress has been made installing backwash blowers, process piping, ductwork, and electrical components while resolving challenges with blower fitment and regulatory approvals.

Manager Reported Replacing Ultrasonic Flow Metres with Magnetic Alternatives for Filter Speaker 02 reported replacing ultrasonic flow metres with magnetic alternatives for filter commissioning while securing full-time construction site inspection despite provincial staffing challenges. The team addressed design issues regarding clear well access and limited backwash pump redundancy, noting the first filter commissioning is scheduled for the next couple of weeks with overall completion targeted for April 2026. During Q&A, the Manager clarified that backwash water is relatively clean due to good source quality and explained that discharge goes to a holding tank where sludge is periodically cleaned out after pump failures.

Cost Comparison for Filter Improvement Update

Council members acknowledged ongoing challenges in the Water Treatment Plant Filter Improvement Project, noting that current rough dollar costing estimates are approximately half the cost of the 9th Avenue and 6th Street reconstruction project.

8.a.1 Report OP-25-035 from the Supervisor of Environmental Services Re Automotive Materials

Council approved an amending agreement with Automotive Materials Stewardship Inc to collect used oil filters, empty oil containers, and antifreeze until December 31st, 2030. The agreement provides $500 per event starting in 2026 and requires maintaining previous depot numbers. Municipalities pay approximately 1600 dollars to participate plus sixty dollars per vehicle.

12 DISCUSSION OF ADDITIONAL BUSINESS

Council awarded tenders in July for reconstruction projects on 32nd Street East and 16th Avenue north of 17th Street to 20th Street, with road resurfacing work underway on 6th Street and 9th Avenue East.

Links

Read full transcript: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/committee-operations/2025-09-18

Agenda page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/committee-operations/2025-09-18

Official meeting page: https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=9dc5df5e-a313-411b-960b-c3791278f716

Original video: https://video.isilive.ca/owensound/New Encoder_OP_2025-09-18-05-30.mp4