The city of Winnipeg could send more pollution north to Lake Winnipeg in its wastewater if provincial officials allow a change to a sewage-treatment plant licence that could also save millions of dollars.
Coun.
Scott Gillingham told reporters Thursday the city’s chief administrative officer has been in talks with the province about loosening the environmental licence for the North End sewage-treatment plant upgrades to allow it to exude an average of wastewater effluent — specifically ammonia — rather than having to always stay below the current hard cap on pollutants.
One facility will remove phosphorus and nitrogen from the effluent produced by the North End sewage-treatment plant.
The other facility will dispose of biosolids — partly treated solid waste — produced by all three of the city’s sewage plants.
When asked if this regulation change would mean more pollution flowing into Lake Winnipeg, Gillingham said the city is playing its role to protect Lake Winnipeg.
"The overall impact that the city has on the lake … there are great contributors south of the border, the watershed itself," he said.
I am saying if there could be a small amendment to the licence, the City of Winnipeg would still be doing our part to protect the lake, but it would save tens of millions for the ratepayers."
CBC News has requested an interview with McNeil.
With files from Bartley Kives