Notice from December, 2025
This letter is provided as an update for the owners of the 344 homes currently connected to the Fieldstone Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) located at 55 French Drive. The letter will address three important issues. Firstly, provide clarification to the users of the WWTP regarding current and future operations of the plant. Secondly, to address misconceptions surrounding the monthly rates. Lastly, this letter will provide a status and functionality update of the WWTP.
Current and Future Operations
The plant is operated by Clearford ASI under contract with Brookfield Homes, being the developer of the Fieldstone Subdivision. On February 14th, 2014 (Phase I) and June 10, 2015
(Phase II) the Town and Brookfield entered into Comprehensive Subdivision Agreements for the Fieldstone Development. These legal documents outline the developer obligations to ensure that all the infrastructure (sidewalks, roads, WWTP etc.) are provided and function as per the approved design drawings and documents submitted to the Town. Further to this, the Town holds financial securities from Brookfield which provides them with incentive to ensure the works are constructed to the Town’s satisfaction.
While the subdivision is functioning as intended there are ongoing operational issues due to mechanical breakdowns at the WWTP. Currently, the Town will not enter the “Preliminary Acceptance” phase of acceptance/assumption until all the works meet the satisfaction of Town Engineers, Town Legal and staff. Once all the requirements are satisfied and the subdivision receives “Final Acceptance/Assumption” the Town would then take ownership and operate the WWTP.
Rate Study
The Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) by Ontario Regulation 453/07 encourages municipalities to prepare Financial Plans (Rate Study) for wastewater systems and the Sustainable Water and Sewage Systems Act 2002 requires that the rates are intended to pay for operational costs as well as future capital replacement of the infrastructure. In 2014, Watson and Associates (Town Economists) completed a 10-year Rate Study for the Fieldstone WWTP. The 2014-2024 Wastewater Rate Study is available online.
The monthly rate includes an operational component (72%) and a capital replacement reserve component (28%). The Town reviews the operational costs submitted from Brookfield and reimburses costs only related to operations, never the non-conformance issues. The capital replacement reserve charges collected by the Town are intended for future replacement of existing infrastructure once the WWTP is final accepted by the Town.
In 2024 the Rate Study was extended by By-law 2024-48. The rate study is currently being reevaluated by Watson’s. This review includes assessment of the current monthly flat rate charge versus a rate for usage charge that would be based on water consumption.
Status and Functionality Update
As noted, the WWTP has not been final accepted by the Town. The WWTP continues to have operational and mechanical issues that have caused the Town to reserve their right to not commence with the acceptance process. Currently the plant functionality and waste treatment is being studied to assess the best solution moving forward. These works have resulted in intermittent increases in odours that the Town and Clearford ASI are monitoring closely for residential impact. Brookfield continues to be involved in this process and is committed to a final solution to satisfy the Town and the MECP.
The Town received a “Fieldstone Sewage Treatment Plant Phased Optimization Plan” September 2025 and have provided Engineering comments mid-November. Brookfield will be providing a response in December.
In summary, please be assured the Town will not assume/final accept the subdivision and the WWTP until we are 100 percent satisfied that all the infrastructure identified in the subdivision agreement has been received and that it is functioning as intended. The Town has a legal agreement with Brookfield to ensure the works are built as envisioned and holds securities to assist with this, if necessary. The monthly cost paid by the homeowners will not go away upon Town Assumption/Final Acceptance of the works. Sewage treatment is a local service for the 344 homes in the Fieldstone subdivision similar to the Water system and will remain a charge on the Town utility invoices to the homes. Lastly, the Town and Town Engineers are working diligently with Brookfield and their engineers to find a sustainable and long-term solution.
Notice from October 31, 2025:
Brookfield’s (Developer) engineering consultant and operating authority recently installed an interim biofilter system to help reduce odours. The plant’s performance is being monitored regularly, and adjustments continue to be made to further enhance treatment. Discussions between the Developer, their consultants and the Town and their consultants are ongoing with focus on finding the best solution for the Town, moving forward. Please remember to only flush toilet paper, water and human waste, as non-flushable materials require manual removal from the system, which increase odours.
Further updates will be provided as they are made available.
Thank you for your continued patience.
Notice from October 8, 2025:
The Wastewater Treatment Plant is under the control of Brookfield Developments, and they have provided the following statement regarding odour and the steps they are taking to address and reduce it:
We understand the impact that odour can have on residents, and we're committed to minimizing it as much as possible.
Due to the nature of the system, there can be some periodic odours from this type of facility that are normal, temporary and expected. The facility location is downwind of the majority of residential occupancies; however, changes in wind direction and weather conditions particularly in the Fall can cause some of the normal odours associated with the facility to linger and/or be more evident to residents than usual.
However, we are in the process of reviewing operations to reduce the release of odours and taking the following actions to mitigate them going forward.
- Adding carbon filtration on some of the facility vents to reduce odours from the system.
- Timing of wastewater hauling from the facility to minimize end of day operations that may result in odours lingering after the work day.
- Independent review of system operations to identify and address odour issues.
- Implementation of upgrades to the system to improve wastewater treatment and aeration to reduce odour production.
