Amherstburg transforms sewage lagoon into vibrant wetland ecosystem

What was once a sewage lagoon in Amherstburg, Ont., is now a vibrant wetland ecosystem. 

The town celebrated the transformation of the former Edgewater sanitary lagoon system-turned-wetland with a ribbon cutting on Friday. The new ecosystem has a new name: Golfview Park, Wetlands and Trails. 

Mayor Michael Prue said the transformation represents a significant milestone for the community.

"Not only does this project demonstrate our commitment to environmental sustainability, but it also provides our residents a new recreational space to enjoy nature and engage with their surroundings," Prue said.

The Edgewater lagoons were built in the early 1980s to support local sanitary treatment needs and accommodate future growth.

After a recent expansion of the Amherstburg Wastewater Treatment Plant, the town determined that redirecting flows to the plant from the lagoons would be a better use of resources. 

With that decision, the former lagoon system was identified as an ideal candidate for conversion into a wetland, providing residents with both ecological benefits and recreational amenities. 

A habitat for animals and plants

The town says the wetland conversion project includes the creation of 1.5 kilometres of new walking trails. It'll be a new amenity for residents, especially those in the area who dealt with a sewage lagoon in their backyard for years, said Todd Hewitt, the town's manager of engineering. 

Explaining how it was accomplished, Hewitt said there was a lot of engineering work done to ensure it was safe for public use.

"The construction generally involved creation of some habitat lands and different things within the ponds, a couple islands and some shoreline work to create some different levels of water, which creates a better opportunity for different bird species,"  Hewitt told CBC News.

"We also put 1.5 kilometres of gravel pathway around the tip so that provides … access for [people] to walk and enjoy the naturalized area that we have created."

'You can see fish in the water'

Hewitt said he's "extremely proud" of what the town has accomplished.

"It has turned from what some would have thought as an eyesore or something that they didn't like to an amenity," he said.

"There's no residual odour. There's nothing there that reminds you that it's a sewage lagoon, other than the fact that we know it is. The water is clear, you can see fish in the water, we see a lot of ducks and other animals." 

Tim Byrne, chief administrative officer of the Essex Region Conservation Authority, applauded the Town of Amherstburg.

"The conversion to a wetland … is fantastic."