Sault Ste. Marie examines $95M plan as city landfill nears capacity

With about 2 1/2 years left in the lifespan of Sault Ste. Marie’s landfill, city council is looking at public consultations on plans to spend $39.4 million to expand the site and $56 million to build a biosolids plant. (File)

With about 2 1/2 years left in the lifespan of Sault Ste. Marie’s landfill, city council is looking at public consultations on plans to spend $39.4 million to expand the site and $56 million to build a biosolids plant.

The Fifth Line East landfill is “a critical piece of municipal infrastructure for the collection, management and disposal of residential, commercial and industrial waste,” said a motion headed to the July 13 council meeting.

A 10-year waste management plan outlines the needs for the city for the next decade and recommends the creation of the biosolids plant.

Final stage of approvals

The expansion of the landfill is at the final stage of approvals with the Ministry of the Environment and Energy.

The city’s plan also calls for “waste mining, biosolids management, and source-separated organics processing, some of which is required by provincial legislative changes and some of which is required because the capacity at our landfill is nearing the end of its useful life.”

While the 18-month estimate before the landfill is at capacity is “conservative,” it is a sign that it’s time for the city to move ahead with its capital plans.

“The city is rapidly approaching a point where it must consider the best capital funding and operational models,” the motion said.

Biosolids plant

The $56 million biosolids plant includes “a source-separated organics facility.”

The $39.4 million expansion would extend the life of the landfill for 12-20 years, “depending on waste disposal/recycling levels.”

There is currently $16 million set aside in a reserve fund to help pay for the capital projects.

If approved, city staff would be directed to plan open houses for the public to “inform residents regarding the projected lifespan of the existing landfill, the need for landfill expansion and waste mining, and the anticipated costs associated with those projects.”

The results of the consultations would be reported back to council before any budget deliberations or spending decisions are made.

Read the full motion here.