Wastewater Collection & Treatment
Wastewater collection and treatment protects public health, our community, and the environment.
When water leaves your home through sinks, toilets, and drains, it enters a municipal sewer system designed to safely collect, transport, and treat it before returning clean water to the environment.
How the Wastewater System Works
When water leaves your home, it flows through underground sewer pipes to a wastewater treatment facility, where it is cleaned before being safely returned to the environment.
The system operates 24/7 to protect public health and our local waterways.
How Wastewater Is Treated
At treatment facilities, wastewater undergoes several stages:
- Screening – Removal of large debris
- Primary Treatment – Settling of solids
- Biological Treatment – Natural processes break down organic matter
- Advanced Cleaning – Further filtration or chemical treatment removes nutrients and pathogens.
- Disinfection – Treated water is disinfected before release
After treatment, water is returned safely to the environment in accordance with provincial standards.
Solids removed during treatment are processed and managed in compliance with environmental regulations.
Local Wastewater Facilities
The Town is served by two wastewater systems:
Lakeshore Wastewater Treatment Plant
Located at 1578 St. Johns Road, this facility serves the Lakeshore area, treating wastewater before safely returning clean water to the environment.
The plant is currently undergoing planned upgrades to improve capacity and reliability.
Learn more about the Lakeshore Plant expansion project.
Cookstown Wastewater System
Located at 1315 Victoria Street, serving the Cookstown area, this system includes sewer mains, pumping stations, and a treatment facility that ensures wastewater is safely managed and treated before discharge.
Both systems are monitored daily to meet strict environmental and operational requirements.
Monitoring & Environmental Protection
Wastewater operations staff are provincially certified and trained to operate and maintain treatment systems safely and effectively.
Our team:
- Monitors system flow and performance
- Collects and tests wastewater samples
- Submits required reports to the Ministry of the Environment
- Maintains pump stations and sewer infrastructure
- Investigates odour and blockage concerns
- Manages biosolids in accordance with provincial regulations
These measures help protect Lake Simcoe and it's watershed for future generations.