Is it economically beneficial to install municipal wastewater treatment plants?
Halifax Harbour, home to the largest urban population in the Atlantic provinces, has long been plagued by poor water quality and contaminated sediments from the ongoing disposal of untreated municipal wastewater effluents. Consequently, the harbour’s ecosystem, aesthetic appeal, and urban quality of life (i.e., recreational value, commercial value, and well-being of its inhabitants) are being seriously impacted. A recent study by GPI Atlantic (Wilson 2000b) has evaluated the costs and benefits of installing four new wastewater treatment plants in the harbour, as proposed under the Halifax Harbour Solutions Plan (HRM 1999a, 1999b). Although the construction of the infrastructure has an estimated price tag of $315 million over 10 years, followed by an operating cost of about $8.8 million per year, the treatment plan could actually generate between $38.5 and $392 million in net benefits over a 60-year period. The ensuing improvements in water quality and aesthetics would result in: • redu
Related Questions
- If a facility chooses the P2 alternative, will they always have to install and operate a wastewater treatment system? What PFPR wastewater requires treatment prior to discharge?
- How do discharges from permitted municipal wastewater treatment plants affect nutrient levels in streams?
- Is it economically beneficial to install municipal wastewater treatment plants?
