| An overview of the City
of London's sewage treatment operations
including information on
how residents can help
protect the environment,
material for businesses, an overview of pollution control plant processes, the condition
of the Thames River
and
zebra mussel pilot project
can be found on these links. The Environmental Services Department Pollution Control Operations Division
manages six sewage treatment plants located along the Thames River and Dingman
Creek and 36 pumping stations. The sewage treatment plants (see listing
to the right) use:
- bacteria to consume organic material and convert ammonia to nitrates;
- chemicals to remove phosphorous; and,
- ultra violet light to disinfect by destroying pathogens
Suspended solids are removed and biosolids are generated (bacteria
eating the organic material) and removed in clarifiers (settling
basins). In London the solids are dewatered and incinerated.
Sewage Treatment: Where does that flush go?
A Historical Perspective of Sewage Treatment in London
Contact the for the Pollution Control Plants
or at 519 661-2581 Some restrictions apply for
minimum age, number in a group, date and time of tours, etc.
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Background: London's
Pollution Control Plants
The City's pollution control plants are listed below along with the year
operations started.
- Greenway 1901
- Vauxhall 1916
- Pottersburg 1956
- Adelaide 1958
- Oxford 1960
- Southland 1963
(also known as Lambeth)
The Greenway Plant was referred to as the West end plant prior to the
1960s. The sewage plant treatment capability and capacity have changed over
the years. Phosphorous removal started in the early 1970s and ammonia conversion
started in the late 1970s.
To help put the time frame of the treatment plants in perspective, the
plants were regulated by the Ministry of Health prior to 1956. In 1956 the
Ontario Water Resources Commission (OWRC) was started up and remained responsible
for regulation until OWRC staff came under the Ministry of the Environment
in 1972.
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