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Bayshore Village Sewer Works

Bayshore Village currently uses a lagoon and spray field system to manage treated wastewater effluent. Due to seasonal limitations, regulatory requirements, and impacts on the community, the Township plans to transition to a more modern and sustainable solution beginning in 2026.

2025 Season: Hybrid Operations Plan

For the 2025 season, the Township is implementing a hybrid approach to manage effluent from the Bayshore lagoons. This includes:

  • Spray operations starting the week of July 7, 2025, focused in the South Field (weather dependent).
  • Effluent hauling to the Lagoon City Wastewater Treatment Plant will begin the week of July 7, 2025.
  • This approach was approved by Council at the June 23, 2025, meeting, alongside a new hauling contract valued at $897,000 plus HST, which is less than previous years by $121,000. The cost was previously approved in the 2025 municipal budget.

Minimizing Disruptions

The Township recognizes the importance of minimizing operational impacts on the community. This year’s hybrid model has been intentionally designed to:

  • Spread out activities over the season to avoid concentrated disruptions.
  • Maintain regulatory compliance while preparing for long-term system improvements.

This plan is a temporary, but necessary step to manage wastewater responsibly until the new, permanent infrastructure is in place.

New System Information

The Class EA Update completed in 2025 concluded that the preferred solution is to discontinue the existing seasonal effluent spray irrigation system and replace it with a large subsurface effluent disposal system (tile beds) operated year-round and constructed on Township property west of the existing sewage treatment lagoons. 

The Township is progressing through the design phase of a tile bed system as detailed in the Final Class EA Project File Update to replace the current spray fields. Tile beds will offer year-round functionality and are not weather-dependent. 

Class Environmental Assessment Final Report - June 6, 2025

This modern infrastructure will:

  • Use subsurface tile beds (similar to large septic beds) to dispose of treated effluent safely underground.
  • Allow for year-round operation, unaffected by weather or seasonal restrictions.
  • Eliminate the need for spraying and effluent hauling, reducing operational impacts on the community.
  • The tile bed project is estimated to cost $7.2 million and is dependent on final design details, site conditions and inflationary factors. This is a major investment in sustainable infrastructure, environmental protection, and quality of life for residents in and around Bayshore Village.

  • Current: Design phase underway in partnership with Tatham Engineering.
  • Fall 2025: Construction tender expected to be ready subject to budget approval.
  • 2026: Construction and commissioning of the tile bed system subject to budget approval.

Budget: The tile bed project is estimated to cost $7.2 million and is dependent on final design details, site conditions and inflationary factors. This is a major investment in sustainable infrastructure, environmental protection, and quality of life for residents in and around Bayshore Village.

Project Background

The Township of Ramara has completed the Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) for the effluent spray irrigation system at the Bayshore Village Sewage Works. Treated effluent from the Bayshore Village sewage treatment lagoons is spray irrigated on two fields near Concession Road 8 and Sideroad 20 (renamed in 2024 to Barnstable Drive). The Class EA updated the evaluation of alternatives for effluent disposal to address current capacity and operational issues.

The Class EA update follows the Schedule B requirements of the Municipal Engineers Association (MEA) Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, as amended in 2023.

The Class EA Update concluded that the preferred solution is to discontinue the existing seasonal effluent spray irrigation system and replace it with a large subsurface effluent disposal system operated year-round and constructed on Township property west of the existing sewage treatment lagoons. In addition, the Township is to continue its efforts to reduce inflow and infiltration in the Bayshore Village sanitary sewers to minimize the volume of treated effluent for disposal.

The Township intends to proceed with the construction of the recommended project as outlined in the Final Class EA Project File Update.

Class Environmental Assessment Final Report - June 6, 2025

Notice of Study Completion issued April 9, 2025
Project File Update provided March 12, 2025
A Class EA update was presented to Council on August 12, 2024. 

At the Special Council meeting held on June 3, 2024, Council approved staff to create a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document to address residents' questions following the water and wastewater rate review completed in February 2024. 

If you wish to have a hardcopy of the Frequently Asked Questions document, please contact staff at info@ramara.ca or call 705-484-5374 ext. 322. 

Bayshore Village Sewage Works FAQ

Contact Us

Corporation of the Township of Ramara
2297 Highway 12, PO Box 130, Brechin, ON, L0K 1B0

T. 705-484-5374
E. ramara@ramara.ca

 

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