Elmvale Wastewater Treatment Plant - Springwater, Ontario, Canada

Elmvale Wastewater Treatment Plant is a municipal facility located in Springwater, Ontario, Canada, serving the community of Elmvale. The plant provides secondary treatment for a population of approximately 2,118, operating under Ontario's regulatory framework for wastewater management. As a secondary treatment plant, it meets the standard requirements for biological treatment of organic matter and suspended solids. The plant's discharge volume is 951 cubic meters per day, and it operates under the provincial regulatory regime, which aligns with the Canada-wide standards for wastewater effluent quality. The plant's treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which ultimately drains into Georgian Bay, a large bay of Lake Huron. This region is ecologically sensitive, supporting diverse aquatic life and recreational activities. The plant's proximity to the coast (within 10 km) underscores the importance of effective treatment to protect the Great Lakes ecosystem.

The plant discharges into the Nottawasaga River watershed, which flows into Georgian Bay, part of Lake Huron. This area supports diverse fish species, including lake trout and whitefish, and is an important migratory corridor for birds. The proximity to the Great Lakes requires stringent effluent quality to prevent nutrient loading and protect aquatic habitats.