Notice of Study Commencement and Public Information Centre for Port Elgin Water Pollution Control Plant Upgrades
Schedule "B" Class Environmental Assessment
The Town of Saugeen Shores invites you to engage with us as we evaluate ways to Upgrade the Port Elgin Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) located at 123 Lehnen Street, Saugeen Shores, ON to manage peak wet weather flow received at the plant. The Port Elgin WPCP services the community of Port Elgin which is the largest urban community in Saugeen Shores. The Port Elgin Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) has an approved average daily treatment capacity of 6,455 m³/d and continues to consistently meet its Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) effluent requirements. Updated growth projections indicate that the existing rated treatment capacity is sufficient beyond the current planning horizon, and expansion of the plant's average daily capacity is not presently needed. However, the wastewater collection system experiences significant wet-weather inflow and infiltration (I/I), resulting in high peak hydraulic flows that substantially exceed average operating conditions. Process capacity assessments have identified that these peak hydraulic loads constrain several treatment processes, including aeration, secondary clarification, sludge digestion, sludge storage, blower capacity and ultraviolet disinfection, despite adequate average-day treatment capacity.
The Town of Saugeen Shores has retained Ainley Group to complete this Schedule “B” Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA). The study team will identify and review various alternatives to manage peak wet weather flows received at the plant. This Notice initiates the beginning of the Class EA process. The study involves plant capacity assessment, identifying hydraulic issues, and solutions to hydraulic issues, and conducting background investigations including natural heritage, natural environment assessment, and archeological assessment.
This Class EA process will follow the planning and design process for Schedule “B” projects as described in the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Document (October 2000 as amended in 2007, 2011, 2015, 2023, & 2024), published by the Municipal Engineer’s Association.
Public consultation is a key part of this process. A Public Information Centre (PIC) has been planned to provide an opportunity to review the study background, existing conditions, problems and opportunities, and recommended solution. The PIC will also serve as a forum to receive public feedback, which will be considered as part of the decision-making process.
Location: Rotary Hall, The Plex - 600 Tomlinson Drive, Port Elgin
Date: August 11, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Information on this project can be found at www.engage.saugeenshores.ca/WPCP.
If you would like to be placed on the mailing list to receive all future notices related to this Class EA, please send your contact information to either of the contacts listed below.
Town of Saugeen Shores
Colin Sauders, Project Manager
600 Tomlinson Drive, Box 820
Port Elgin ON N0H 2C4
colin.saunders@saugeenshores.ca
Ainley & Associates Limited
Meseret Aniye, P. Eng., PMP
Project Manager
Unit 205, 6299 Airport Road, Mississauga, ON, L4V 1N3
meseret.ainiye@ainleygroup.com
This notice was issued on July 28, 2026.
Comments and information regarding this project are being collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act for the purpose of meeting environmental assessment requirements. With the exception of personal information, all comments received will become part of the public record.