Town wins innovation award for wastewater management pilot

Brent Jones
May 23, 2025 at 8:24 PM

The Town of Fort Erie has been awarded top honours at the inaugural PitcH2O water innovation competition for its pilot project aimed at reducing groundwater infiltration into wastewater systems.

The competition was held during the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative annual conference, which focused on “The Future of Fresh Water.”

Fort Erie’s project was recognized for its use of FlexLiner technology, which creates a watertight barrier at the base of maintenance holes to prevent both groundwater infiltration and wastewater leakage.

The town conducted the pilot in an area near Black Creek, where high water tables have made infiltration a long-standing issue. The trenchless installation took only two days and was completed without the need for heavy equipment or disruption to nearby grassland.

“Black Creek is better protected from wastewater contamination as a result of this project,” the town said in a news release issued Friday.

According to Fort Erie officials, inflow and infiltration from groundwater can burden treatment facilities, leading to increased operational costs and the potential for sewer overflows.

By installing FlexLiners, the town aims to reduce these risks while improving overall system performance.

“This initiative shows what innovation looks like at the municipal level,” said Tommy Peazel, manager of water and wastewater.

“We’re protecting our infrastructure, cutting costs, and safeguarding our water system while extending its lifespan,” he added.

Mayor Wayne Redekop emphasized the broader benefits of the project.

“Everybody wins,” he said. “The region, the municipalities, and, most importantly, the rate payers. It just makes sense. It will free up capacity in our wastewater systems in Niagara. This is key to building more housing and protecting our Great Lakes from sewer overflows.”

Council has committed $400,000 to expand the program, with plans to rehabilitate 17 additional maintenance holes. The town expects the investment to pay for itself within four years. The expansion is projected to prevent up to 5,500 cubic metres of groundwater from entering the system annually.

“This isn’t just an infrastructure upgrade, it’s a sustainability strategy,” said CAO Chris McQueen.

“Keeping groundwater out of our treatment system saves energy, reduces chemical use, and helps preserve our source water quality,” McQueen added.

The PitcH2O jury noted that many municipalities face similar challenges with aging infrastructure and environmental pressures.

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is a “multinational coalition of municipal and Indigenous government executives representing communities in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Region,” according to its website, which says it is home to 270 municipal and regional members.

The website states that “they are working to promote economic prosperity in their communities and protect fresh water for the benefit of current and future generations.”