For Immediate Release
2004-03-25
For further information contact:
Cindie Ashton, Communications Officer, 546-4291, ext. 3116 (cell 329-3462)
UTILITIES KINGSTON PRESENTS RAVENSVIEW UPDATE
Utilities Kingston will host a public information session today to provide an update and receive comments from the
public on the options available to upgrade the Ravensview Water Pollution Control Plant.
Utilities Kingston expects to complete the update in the next three months. "To complete the update, public input is
critical at this stage of the process," says Jim Miller, Manager of Technical Service for Utilities Kingston. "Subject
to the comments and the receipt of necessary approvals, Utilities Kingston intends to proceed with the planning, design
and construction of the project over the next several years."
"Kingston's Ravensview Water Pollution Control Plant has functioned well over the years. However upgrades are now
necessary if the plant is to continue to protect the environment and public health in the face of ongoing development in
and around the City," adds Miller.
The public information session will be held in Memorial Hall, City Hall beginning with an open house segment from 4:00 p.m.
to 6:45 p.m. The public meeting portion will begin with a presentation at 7:00 p.m. followed by a question and answer
session. Comments will continue to be received until April 30, 2004.
A list of technical reports and figures are available on this Web site, at www.utilitieskingston.com/water/revensview/.
BACKGROUND
Originally constructed in 1957, the Ravensview Water Pollution Control Plant is located south of Highway 2, along the St.
Lawrence River, approximately 4.5 km east of the Cataraqui River.
In March of 1992, an Environmental Study Report identified a preferred alternative to upgrade and increase the plant's
capacity. In October 2003, Utilities Kingston initiated a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Update to prepare an
addendum to the existing Environmental Study Report (ESR).
This update is examining alternative technologies for sewage treatment at the plant and will provide a preferred
solution for the needed secondary treatment at Ravensview and increase the treatment capacity to accommodate the
anticipated growth over the next 25 years.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be $100 million. Costs directly associated with upgrades at the plant, to
protect the environment and public health, will be recovered through sewer rates. Costs directly associated with
expanding the plant, to accommodate future growth, will be recovered through impost fees assessed directly against
future development.
The Federal Government has committed up to $25 million in grants towards this project. Utilities Kingston and the City
will be pursuing all possible funding opportunities to reduce its net share of the project cost.
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