Wastewater System - Embro

Wastewater generated by the residents and businesses in the Village of Embro is collected in a network of wastewater mains and conveyed by sewage pumping stations (SPS) to the Woodstock Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) for treatment.The collection system incorporates an odour control facility, to mitigate potential odour issues. The wastewater collection network consists of a mix of gravity mains, low pressure mains and forcemains. Wastewater flows by gravity wherever possible, where changing elevations require the use of an SPS. Other specialized structures such as maintenance holes, valve vaults, meter stations, diversion structures and siphons are required to convey wastewater to the Woodstock WWTP.

Inventory

The replacement cost valuation for the linear assets in this portfolio are based on current tender prices, where available. The replacement cost valuation for wastewater vertical is based on the latest information available, which includes current replacement costs, insurance valuations, inflation, and valuations from studies and assessments completed in prior years.

Condition

The percentage of assets in poor or critical condition has increased from 1% as reported in the 2024 AMP to 3%. The percentage of assets in good or excellent condition has decreased from 95% as reported in the 2024  AMP to 93%. The high number of assets in good or excellent condition is reflective of the Embro wastewater system having been constructed from 2009 through 2011. Sanitary pumping station components and equipment in poor or critical condition have shorter anticipated useful lives with the condition reflective of their proximity to required lifecycle strategies.

Key Performance

It is intended that all wastewater assets will be maintained, rehabilitated, and replaced to perform the same function and manage the same capacity as they are currently designed to do. To ensure levels of service are maintained, staff monitor impacts from changes to capacity demands to plan for changes to current practices and budget requirements.

Proposed Levels of Service Review

Information on the scenarios reviewed is contained within the AMP document. It is important to note that as this system’s linear assets were installed from 2009 through 2011 those assets have no expected short-term needs, and therefore the average condition of the portfolio is the same under all scenarios until those assets reach the point of anticipated replacement.

Based on the analysis, staff are recommending Scenario C. The proposed level of service target is to fund the system at 60% of overall lifecycle needs. The use of PVC pipes for linear started becoming popular in the 1970’s; their useful life of 90 years is theoretical as this material has not been in use long enough to confirm the lifespan. Staff also identified an improvement area in 2024, to look at the lifecycle strategies for process assets as it may be beneficial in the long-term to incorporate various strategies and not anticipate a run-to-failure strategy on some of these assets. Once incorporated this may result in reductions to the annual investment required, as such staff feel it is not prudent to target the fully funded scenario at this time. Staff will continue monitoring asset conditions and risks to ensure the proposed service level does not negatively impact on the overall health and safety of residents through the operations of this service. The recommendation is in line with the 2025 Budget Survey responses where 64% of respondents indicated that the service level related to municipal water and wastewater services in Zorra should be maintained. As projects will be prioritized based on risk, staff feel this proposed service level and funding approach will not result in any health and safety risk to the community, or misalignment with required regulations.

Funding Gap Analysis

Planned Investment Level

An estimated inflationary rate is used in the table below as the inflation rate used for the 2026 Budget is based on the rate as of June 30, 2025. Although interest rates are declining, the reserve balance will continue to grow and earn interest as the lifecycle needs of this portfolio are minimal. Growth has not been explicitly shown in the table, however along with the other factors mentioned will naturally help towards closing the funding gap.

Proposed Investment Change

Aside from the inflationary increase under the policy, staff are not proposing any further increases to the contribution level for the 2026 budget. The required investment increases in 2033 as an anticipated growth-related asset is constructed. At that time, an increase in the investment should be considered to plan for the lifecycle needs of the new asset.

Comparison of required investment to proposed investment (millions)