윈더미어(Windermere) 유역의 자연화를 포함하는 해밀턴 하수 처리 인프라의 중대한 개선작업이 해밀턴 항구의 수질을 높여온 것으로 드러났다.

이 프로젝트는 해밀턴시(市)의 방문객들과 거주민들의 삶의 질을 향상시켰고 자연 보호와 공공 건강 개선에 큰 기여를 하였다. 이번 작업의 긍정적인 결과는 캐나다, 미국 간 공동 협정인 그레이트 호수 수질 협정(Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement)이 지정하는 위험 의심 지역에서 해밀턴 항구를 제외시키는데 큰 도움이 될 것으로 관측된다.

HAMILTON, ONTARIO, June 26, 2013 -- Major improvements to the city of Hamilton, Ontario's wastewater treatment infrastructure, including the naturalization of the Windermere Basin, has significantly improved the water quality of Hamilton Harbor.

The project will enhance the quality of life for Hamilton visitors and residents and contribute to public health improvements and the protection of the environment. The positive results of this work will also help remove the harbor from the Area of Concern list under the Canada/U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

The project consisted of three stage that contributed to the cleanup: First, improvements were made to the Dundas Wastewater Treatment Plant's disinfection system to ensure the removal of chlorine in the plant's effluent. Second, new systems were put in place to control the flow of sanitary sewage and stormwater to reduce untreated discharge into Hamilton Harbor. Finally, the naturalization of the Windermere Basin -- the water body that receives wastewater effluent from the Woodward treatment plant on its way to the harbor -- has transformed an open body of water with limited natural value into a 13 hectare healthy Great Lakes coastal wetland.

The Government of Canada contributed $35 million toward this project through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund, and the Government of Ontario contributed $15 million, with the city of Hamilton providing the balance of the funding toward the $80 million project.

"The improved wastewater treatment system and Windermere basin are major achievements in support of the ongoing clean-up of Hamilton Harbor," said the Honourable Peter Kent, Minister of Environment. "Our government is proud to have invested in cleaning efforts that will help the environment, improve quality of life for Hamilton residents and that has created jobs."

[출처: Waterworld / 2013년 6월 26일]