Wastewater Services

In 2024, the Leamington Pollution Control Centre (LPCC) completed upgrades to the Lower Pumping Station including replacement of four Archimedes screw pumps and ancillary equipment. In addition, one new turbo blower was installed to supplement the treatment system. In 2025, LPCC will be completing pump station improvements at three sanitary pump stations and will continue to work on the Wastewater Masterplan. For more information on the Wastewater Masterplan please visit the Let's Talk Leamington project page.

A sewer surcharge is applied to water bills for those customers in a sanitary serviced area. Wastewater Rates are reviewed and approved by Council annually. If you have questions regarding your wastewater bill please contact the Municipality at 519 326 5761 ext. 1215. 

Wastewater Reports

The Leamington Pollution Control Center is required to submit annual reports to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks to meet the requirements of the site Environmental Compliance Approval. To view the most recent wastewater report visit the Publications, Plan and Reports page.

The Leamington Pollution Control Centre receives sewage from sanitary and combined sewers. During storm events, combined sewers carry sewage and stormwater to the plant which may result in an overflow event to the Selkirk Drain. Overflows only occur when the plant exceeds the design capacity, and the storm retention basin is full. Bypass events occur when sewage is diverted around one or more treatment processes, excluding preliminary treatment, in the wastewater treatment plant. The diverted sewage then returns to the treatment system before the final effluent sampling point. These events can occur due to planned maintenance, power outages, etc. A summary of plant overflow and bypass events for the current year is provided below. Previous year overflow and bypass events are summarized in the annual report found on the Publications, Plan and Reports page.

Protecting the Sewer System and Wastewater Treatment Plant

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Fats, Oils and Greases (FOG) 

Your kitchen sink and toilets are not a garbage disposal. When FOG is washed down the sink or flushed down the toilet into the plumbing system, it cools, hardens, and sticks to the inside of the pipes. Over time, it will accumulate and block the entire pipe, causing sewer backups on your property and municipal property. Never pour FOG down sinks or toilets, instead properly dispose of leftover FOG as described below:

• Pour FOG into a can, let it harden, and dispose of it in the garbage when the can is full.
• Soak or collect FOG on a paper towel and dispose of it in the garbage.

Tiny stickers on fruits and vegetables should be removed and thrown in the garbage. If disposed of in the sink or flushed down the toilet, they can cause maintenance issues with equipment at the treatment plant.

Hygiene products 

The hygiene products listed below should not be flushed. They can get caught in sewers or pumps and cause sewage back-ups on your property or on municipal property.

• Wipes of any kind (bathroom, baby, or cleaning wipes). Even though some wipes say they are flushable, these products should be disposed of in the garbage. 
• Feminine products such as tampons and sanitary pads
• Condoms
• Cotton swabs
• Dental floss
• Band-aids
• Facial tissue
• Paper towel

Medication

Traces of pharmaceuticals are being detected in the environment because consumers flush medications down the toilet or sink. Medications can harm the environment and aquatic life. To dispose of your medication safely, please return it to a local pharmacy.

Household Hazardous Waste 

The following household hazardous waste should never be flushed down the drain:

• Car and garage products (i.e. antifreeze, oil, car fluids)
• Cleaning products
• Paints including solvents
• Pesticides and fertilizers

Sewer Use Bylaw 56-25 regulates discharges into the municipal sewer system to protect aquatic environments, public health and safety, Municipality of Leamington infrastructure including sewer mains and treatment process equipment.

There are three types of sewers in the Municipality of Leamington, sanitary sewers, combined sewers, and storm sewers. Sewage in sanitary and combined sewers is directed to the Leamington Pollution Control Centre for treatment, while water contained in storm sewers is discharged directly to a watercourse (ditch, creek, pond, lake).

It is imperative that discharges to these sewers is controlled at the source and meets all of the requirements outlined in the Sewer Use Bylaw. 

Sludge produced in the wastewater treatment process is lime stabilized and dried on-site using the patented N-Viro process. The N-Viro process is a cost effective and efficient sludge recycling operation that produces a uniform product for agricultural land application. The final product is registered as a Schedule 1 Fertilizer with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. For more information visit the Walker Environmental website.

Septic tank and holding tank waste is accepted at the Leamington Pollution Control Centre by licensed haulers only. Licensed haulers must be approved by the Municipality by submitting the required Application Form and the contents of their tank must also be disclosed and approved prior to disposal. Hauled waste is accepted between the hours of 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday. The cost for septic tank and holding tank waste disposal is $0.09 per gallon. Industrial and hazardous waste is not permitted. 

Recreational vehicles may dispose of their holding tank wastewater at no charge between the hours of 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday.