Callander's Sewage Lagoons

A sewage lagoon (or wastewater lagoon) is a large, man-made pond designed to treat wastewater through natural biological processes.

A sewage lagoon can be one of 4 types; Aerobic, Anaerobic, Facultative, or Maturation. Callander utilizes 2 Aerobic Lagoons that process naturally by using sunlight, oxygen, and microbes working together to purify the water. Algae help produce oxygen, which supports bacteria that digest waste.

Sewage generated from the community of Callander is directed to two waste stabilization lagoons located on the North side of Cranberry Road.

The first lagoon has an area of 56,656 square meters (14 acres) and the second lagoon has an area of 90,700 square meter (22.4 acres).

Oversite and operation of our sewage system is contracted to the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA). OCWA is a leading provider of water and wastewater services throughout the Province of Ontario.

Callander's lagoons are authorized by the Environmental Compliance Authority (ECA) to discharge treated effluent to the environment twice per year during the periods of May 1 to June 15 and November 1 to December 15. Prior to being discharged, OCWA adds ferric sulphate to the lagoons to aid in the removal of suspended solids and total phosphorus in the effluent.

Once the ECA effluent limits have been met, OCWA then releases the treated water to a ditch that runs adjacent to the Cranberry Road which then flows into wetlands that discharges to Callander Bay. During the discharge period, OCWA continues to collect samples to confirm compliance with the ECA’s effluent limits.

Callander is committed to keeping our effluent levels well below ECA standards.

Time of year and weather play into several factors can affect effluent levels in a sewage lagoon, influencing both the volume and quality of the discharged water.

• Snowmelt, rainfall, and groundwater infiltration can raise water levels
• Cold temperatures resulting in cold water slows bacterial activity
• Seasonal increase of residential/commercial wastewater 
• Falling leaves contribute to higher organic material
• Stronger winds mix surface layers, affecting oxygenation and potentially resuspending solids
• Ice breakup and spring runoff can stir up settled sludge, increasing solids and nutrients

The table below shows 3 sets of data to compare and contrast Spring levels, Fall levels, and the Maximum Limit Standards as set out by the ECA.