Title
Wastewater Transfer Stations and Wastewater Overstrength Charges from ARROW Utilities
Proposed Motion
1. That Council approve the mandatory installation of GPS for all private wastewater haulers utilizing County Wastewater Transfer Stations.
2. That Council approve limiting the Stony Plain Wastewater Transfer Station to accept holding tank wastewater only and that all other wastewater be directed to the Villeneuve Wastewater Transfer Station.
3. That Council direct administration to present a report on the wastewater over-strength initiatives in Q4 of 2024.
Body
Administration Recommendation
Administration remains supportive of mandatory GPS requirements for all haulers so that the best information available can be used to develop a fair, reasonable and equitable method to reduce all overstrength charges from Arrow Utilities.
Purpose
To minimize overstrength wastewater fees imposed by ARROW Utilities.
Summary
At the May 28, 2024, Council Meeting, Council tabled RFD 24-119 to the June 11, 2024, Council Meeting and directed administration to gather further input from the wastewater hauling industry to help support a solution to the high cost of overstrength wastewater at the Parkland County transfer stations.
At the June 11, 2024, Council Meeting, Council tabled RFD 24-142 to the June 25, 2024, Council Meeting to allow additional time to gather input from the wastewater hauling industry.
Limited input was received from wastewater haulers beyond their presentations at the May 28th, 2024, Council Meeting. Based on this feedback, administration recommends that the wastewater transfer stations continue to accept residential, commercial, and industrial wastewater as permitted under wastewater Bylaw 2020-08, rather than restricting to residential wastewater only.
Once the GPS database is established, the County will have more accurate information to make further recommendations on reducing over strength charges from ARROW Utilities to create a fair fee structure to further reduce remaining overstrength charges. Additionally, Administration recommends that trucks carrying only holding tank wastewater dispose of it at the Stony Plain Wastewater Transfer Station, while all other wastewater including mixed loads of holding tank wastewater and septic wastewater, be directed to the Villeneuve Wastewater Transfer Station. This segregation is believed to be a simple way to decrease the overall overstrength charges to the County given ARROW Utilities’ current testing methods. However, to enforce this measure accurately, administration will require the use of GPS technology.
Historical Information:
RFD 23-174 June 6, 2023 GPC Meeting where Council did not support increasing wastewater disposal rates to $11.50/m3
RFD 24-119 May 28, 2024 Council Meeting where Council deferred this matter to the June 11, 2024 Council Meeting
RFD 24-142 June 11, 2024 Council Meeting where Council deferred this matter to the June 25 Council Meeting
Strategic Plan/Policy/Legal/Staff Implications:
Responsible Leadership - To strive for organizational excellence in delivering County Services and programs to residents, businesses, and community groups
Financial Impact:
Source of Funding: Approved 2024 Budget