More security systems are being added to upgrade the Humber Waste Water Treatment Plant on The Queensway.
Added security systems are being installed to protect Toronto’s second largest water treatment plant following concerns from the community.
A major security upgrade has begun to tighten up systems at the Humber Waste Treatment Plan (HWWTP) , at 130 The Queensway.
An almost $4 million contract was awarded by the City in March 2024 to Black & McDonald Ltd., to install and upgrade security cameras, closed circuit television services, security access control systems, safety or security systems as smart cards and security chains or accessories.
Also being installed are smart door locks, smart card readers, supporting equipment along with electrical, mechanical and civil infrastructure.
“The City is embarking on a project to upgrade the security system at the plant,” according to documents filed.
The plant was built in 1960 and serves some 680,000 people in Etobicoke, York and North York.
The plant was built in 1960 and is Toronto’s second-largest wastewater treatment plant. There are four in Toronto to process our waste water.
There has been concerns from the community about easy access to the plant, which treats millions of gallons of water for residents in Etobicoke, York and North York.
The sprawling facility is located at the mouth of the Humber River and serves more than 680,000 residents in the GTA.
Over the years the plant has undergone extensive upgrades to improve air quality and odour issues.
There has been concerns by residents for years about the plant’s security and odour issues.
Are residents have repeatedly complained of the odour arising from the plant, which has about 60 employees.
”The Humber Waste Water Plant works to treat used water that residents and businesses deposit down the drains every day,” according to City information. “Flushing toilets, taking a shower and running a washing machine, for example, produces wastewater.”
The water travels through a sanitary sewer system, though a network of underground pipes, to treatment facilities. The sludge removed is piped to Ashridges Bay.
The scope of work for this project includes all engineering services related to preliminary design, detailed design, construction consultant services including construction site inspection and post-construction engineering services.
As of December 2022, there was 17 health and safety incidents, and 29 lost time days due to work related injuries.
Three odour complaints were received in 2022. All complaints were investigated and not attributed to any cause after the entire process was checked by operational staff in each case.
A company has been contracted by the City to add more security cameras, closed circuit TV systems, smart locks and heavy duty doors at the sprawling plant.
The plant is operated by Toronto Water, which is one of the largest municipal water, wastewater and storm water utilities in North America.
As part of Toronto’s large-scale Capital Improvements Program (CIP), the Humber Treatment Plant required upgrades to address aging infrastructure and buildings, optimize operational performance, and address community concerns.
There were concerns that the plant required security upgrades to stand the test of time.
The other Toronto treatment facilities includes the R.C. Harris Water Treatment Plant, Island Water Treatment Plant the F.J.Horgan Water Treatment Plant and the R.L. Clark plant in Long Branch.