Wastewater System - Thamesford
The County maintains a diverse portfolio of assets that are required to provide the community of Thamesford with the safe collection and treatment of wastewater. The Thamesford Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) provides wastewater treatment for residential, commercial, and industrial users in the Village of Thamesford.
The wastewater collection network transports residential, commercial, and industrial waste to the WWTP for treatment. 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 sewage pumping stations (SPS). Other specialized structures such as manholes, valve vaults, meter stations, diversion structures and siphons are required to convey wastewater to the WWTP.
Inventory
| Asset Component | Unit | Current Inventory | Replacement Cost |
| Wastewater Treatment Plant | site | 1 | $9,350,588 |
| Sanitary Pumping Station | bldg | 1 | 218,262 |
| Other Facilities | bldg | 1 | 45,011 |
| Equipment | total | N/A | 7,035,562 |
| Sanitary Main (>=450mm) | metre | 220 | 382,822 |
| Sanitary Main (<450mm) | metre | 20,067 | 13,001,025 |
| Sanitary Service Connection | each | 1,247 | 5,721,236 |
| Total Replacement Cost | $35,754,506 | ||
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 / assessments completed in prior years.
Condition
The assessment approach for our wastewater assets utilizes a combination of physical assessments, asset attributes, such as material and sizing, as well as established anticipated useful lives.
The percentage of assets in poor or critical condition has increased from 8% as reported in the 2022 AMP to 20%. The percentage of assets in good or excellent condition has decreased from 73% as reported in the 2022 AMP to 68%. As assets continue to age their condition rating will decline until lifecycle strategies are triggered and completed.
Key Performance
| Key Service Attribute | LOS Statement | Performance Measure | 2022 | 2023 | Target |
| Reliability | Providing wastewater services with minimal interruptions | % of properties within the system boundary connected to the municipal wastewater system | 94% | 95% | TBD |
| The number of connection-days per year due to wastewater backups compared to the total number of properties connected to the municipal wastewater system. | 0 connection-days to 962 connections | 1 connection-day to 1,031 connections | TBD | ||
| Environmental Stewardship | Providing wastewater services that have minimal impacts on the environment | The number of effluent violations per year due to wastewater discharge compared to the total number of properties connected to the municipal wastewater system. | 0 violations to 962 connections | 1 violation to 1,031 connections | 0 |
Funding Gap Analysis
This portfolio is currently funded through an annual contribution to the Wastewater - Thamesford reserve, by wastewater rates in Thamesford, along with an annual allocation of interest earned.
The graph illustrates the anticipated asset management needs (expenditures) and anticipated funding for the 10-year period of 2024-2033, reflecting an approximate $1.9 million surplus in funding availability over the period.
The 2024 long-term capital budget did not reflect development charge funding towards the Thamesford wastewater treatment plant upgrades. As the reserve balance is drawn down, the timing of the upgrade project may still result in the requirement for debenture funding.
Although the 2024 to 2033 period is showing a surplus, it should be noted that the current investment falls short of the annual required investment. In accordance with the Water and Wastewater Rates Policy, the annual contribution to reserve should increase annually with inflation.