Background
The Batawa Development Corporation is developing an environmentally sustainable community within the community of Batawa. The new community is to be based upon Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighbourhood Development (LEED ND) principles to ensure a sustainable future for this small community. The goal of the Corporation is to revitalize the Batawa community and address critical issues such as job loss and migration to cities. The City of Quinte West has partnered with the Batawa Development Corporation and engineering firm AECOM Canada Ltd to achieve their goal of making Batawa a sustainable community.
Taking action
The Batawa Development Corporation and its partners have developed a long term plan for Batawa. Actions taken include:
- Renovating the existing wastewater infrastructure to reduce water consumption, infiltration and pollution
- Water conservation initiatives such as conserving wetlands and waterbodies, natural stormwater management, managing wastewater through low-flow fixtures, greywater recovery and encouraging water reuse
Achieving results
The renovation of the existing wastewater treatment plant has resulted in:
- The elimination of plant bypasses
- Reduction in wastewater treated, reducing energy and chemical use
- Less toxic ammonia concentrations in the effluent
The plan for Batawa is a work in progress; its development will lead to significant energy and water savings. The use of green building principles, particularly in the design of wastewater treatment plants, can be directly applied in other communities both large and small.
