Staff from the City of Brantford’s Wastewater Treatment Plant received a Gold Recognition Award for their efforts to improve water quality in the Grand River.
The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) presented the award during the Grand River Watershed-wide Wastewater Optimization Program (GRWWOP) workshop held on November 14, 2024.
Staff were also honoured with a recognition of achievement at the Brantford City Council meeting held on November 26, 2024.
Achieving the Gold Recognition demonstrates the City’s wastewater treatment system is meeting a very high standard for effluent water quality being discharged into the Grand River. This is vital to ensuring the Grand River is protected as a municipal drinking water source for Brantford and communities downstream, while also creating a healthier habitat for local aquatic life.
“I am incredibly proud of our team for achieving a Gold Recognition and a perfect score for the work being done at the Brantford Wastewater Treatment Plant,” says Selvi Kongara, Director of Environmental Services for the City of Brantford. “This award demonstrates our unwavering commitment to excellence and dedication to protecting the Grand River through quality effluent discharge. This is another incredible achievement, and we remain committed to maintaining this standard of performance in the future.”
On an annual basis, the GRWWOP reviews the performance of wastewater treatment facilities and awards points based on their defined criteria. If enough points are scored, facilities receive the Gold, Silver or Bronze Recognition. The goal of the GRWWOP is to improve the quality of the Grand River by reducing phosphorus and ammonia from treatment plants discharging in the Grand River watershed.
The City of Brantford is an important part of the Grand River watershed and works collaboratively with the GRCA, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), and other municipal partners to improve wastewater treatment performance through the GRWWOP. A goal of the program is for all treatment facilities to achieve regulatory compliance and more stringent voluntary effluent targets for phosphorous and ammonia. Throughout the year, the program provides technical support to facilities in need and conducts workshops to improve operational knowledge.
