The Bayshore Village Sewage Works Effluent Spray Irrigation Class EA was initiated in 2010 to consider expansion of the spray irrigation fields. Over the years, soils have become compacted and infiltrative capacity has deteriorated. Two alternatives were presented:

• Do nothing
• Acquire additional land for spray irrigation.

The addition of spare fields was to provide flexibility so that fields could be taken out of service for aeration/tilling as needed.

Following consultation with the public and the Ministry of the Environment, the project evolved and more alternatives were added. One being to discontinue spray irrigation and upgrade sewage treatment and discharge to Wainman's Creek.

After years of discussions, comments and input received during review of the alternatives; no viable permanent solution was found.

A short-term and long-term solution was recommended:

Short-term: Establish an additional field (16ha)

Long-term: Upgrade sewage treatment and discharge effluent to Wainman's Creek

Three problems exist:

• Land is no longer for sale/limited availability of suitable land
• Expensive short term solution (price of land, price of spray irrigation equipment)
• Preferred long term solution does not fit within existing policy and regulatory requirement – no new municipal treatment plants allowed in the Lake Simcoe watershed (unless it replaces an existing plant)

The EA process for this project is not complete.

The Township is currently working on a long-term Infrastructure Plan and will re-frame the Class EA to focus on a new objective such as providing enhanced servicing.