Cataraqui Bay Wastewater Treatment Plant, Kingston, Ontario

Cataraqui Bay Wastewater Treatment is a municipal facility located on Constantine Avenue in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. It serves a population of roughly 65,542 people, placing it in the medium-agglomeration category under Canadian regulatory frameworks. The plant is operational and plays a key role in managing wastewater for the eastern Ontario region. As a Canadian facility, the plant operates under provincial regulations administered by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Treatment standards for plants of this scale typically include secondary treatment, with potential for additional nutrient removal to protect sensitive receiving waters. The designed capacity is 1. 00 (likely in million cubic meters per year or similar unit), indicating a moderate-scale infrastructure. The plant's treated effluent discharges into the Cataraqui River, which flows into the Kingston Basin of Lake Ontario. Lake Ontario is part of the Great Lakes system, a critical freshwater resource supporting diverse aquatic life and providing drinking water for millions. The plant's operations are essential for maintaining water quality in this ecologically sensitive area.

The plant discharges into the Cataraqui River, which flows into the Kingston Basin of Lake Ontario, part of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River system. Lake Ontario supports diverse fish populations, including lake trout and salmon, and is a vital migratory corridor for birds. The watershed is ecologically sensitive due to its role in the Great Lakes ecosystem, requiring careful management of nutrient loads to prevent algal blooms.