Overview
Woodward Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant serves Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, treating wastewater for over 600,000 residents. It is a major facility within the Great Lakes Basin, discharging treated effluent into Lake Ontario.
The Woodward Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant is a key municipal facility located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Serving a population of approximately 619,504, it is one of the largest treatment plants in the region, supporting the city's residential and industrial wastewater needs. The plant is situated on the western shore of Lake Ontario, within the Golden Horseshoe area. As a large-scale facility, the plant is subject to stringent regulatory oversight under the Ontario Water Resources Act and the Canada Water Act. For agglomerations of this size, advanced treatment is typically required to protect sensitive receiving waters. The plant's designed capacity is 1.00 million cubic meters per day, indicating substantial infrastructure to manage high flows. The treated effluent is discharged into Lake Ontario, a vital freshwater resource and part of the Great Lakes system. The lake supports diverse aquatic life and provides drinking water for millions. The plant's operations are critical to maintaining water quality in the lake and preventing eutrophication, particularly given the dense population and industrial activity in the Hamilton area.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into Lake Ontario, which is part of the St. Lawrence River watershed and ultimately drains to the Atlantic Ocean. Lake Ontario is a sensitive ecosystem supporting cold-water fish species and migratory birds. The plant's location within 50 km of the coast (Lake Ontario shoreline) means its effluent can influence nearshore water quality, requiring careful management of nutrients and contaminants to protect aquatic habitats.
Frequently asked questions
The plant is located on Woodward Avenue in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, on the western shore of Lake Ontario.
The plant serves approximately 619,504 people, making it a large-scale municipal facility.
Treated effluent is discharged into Lake Ontario, which is part of the Great Lakes system and ultimately flows to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence River.
The plant operates under Canadian federal and Ontario provincial regulations, including the Canada Water Act and Ontario Water Resources Act, with permits issued by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment.
For large agglomerations in Canada, advanced secondary or tertiary treatment is typically required to meet stringent effluent quality standards, especially when discharging into sensitive water bodies like the Great Lakes.
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