The St. Thomas Water Pollution Control Plant is a conventional activated sludge plant that treats wastewater (sewage) from the City of St. Thomas and the surrounding area. Wastewater from residential, commercial and industrial areas flows through the sanitary sewer systems and 12 sewage pumping stations to be collected at the Water Pollution Control Plant for treatment. With a rated average daily capacity of 27,300 cubic meters per day, the wastewater is treated and released to Kettle Creek under the strict requirement of a Ministry of Environment - Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA). The Water Pollution Control Plant is operated by trained and certified Wastewater Operators and inspected routinely by the Ministry of the Environment to ensure that Environmental Standards are being achieved.
Storm Sewer System
The City of St. Thomas Storm Sewer System consist of a series of roadway catch basins, manholes, pipes, drainage ditches, storm water treatment units and storm water retention ponds that direct rainwater and runoff into our local Creeks. These systems are for rain water and snow melt only and should not be confused with the Sanitary Sewer System. There are over 1500 storm manholes and 3500 storm catchbasins throughout the City of St. Thomas.
Sanitary Collection System
The City Sanitary Sewer System is a series of pipes and pumping stations that transport sewage to the St. Thomas Water Pollution Control Plant. The system is connected to homes and businesses throughout the City of St. Thomas and consists of 12 Sewage Pumping Stations, over 2300 manholes and 180 km of pipe. The Sanitary Sewer System is for sewage only. Rain water and runoff into the sanitary system must be minimized in order to provide adequate capacity for the City's sewage needs. The Sewer Systems are routinely inspected, cleaned and maintained by trained and Certified Sewage Collection System Operators.