Municipalities

Clearford’s SBS™ system offers municipalities significant cost and installation efficiencies while providing superior environmental protection for their wastewater infrastructure needs. The SBS™ system delivers lower, predictable effluent flows to the wastewater treatment centre, which allows an opportunity to utilize a smaller treatment facility. Our patented, sealed collection technology reduces the amount of effluent treated, as only liquid waste arrives at the treatment centre, and no groundwater enters the sealed system. By reducing the daily per capita design flow from 450 L/capita/day to 225 L/capita/day, and through the prevention of groundwater infiltration and the use of the pre-approved design flows provided by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, a 50% reduction in wastewater design volume creates a substantial opportunity for savings to the municipality. If the municipality is using an existing treatment plant, the hydraulic and chemistry loading is substantially reduced by the use of the SBS™ collection system.

Municipalities who elect to use our technology will realize:

• A significant reduction in the capital cost of the collection system
• A corresponding capital and operating cost savings for the sewage treatment works or transmission system
• More reserve capacity with any existing treatment or pumping facilities
• Long-term benefits of more durable systems with less design-life cost for the ultimate users/owners of the infrastructure

In addition to the cost savings, the sustainable environmental practice of maintaining a sealed sewer system adjacent to private/communal wells is a responsible development practice. Unlike historic septic systems, the SBS™ system prevents groundwater contamination from affecting the community and the system promotes an overall healthier environment.

The SBS™ operational benefits compared to historic systems include:

• Less total sludge in the system by the affect of natural/anaerobic sludge digestion in the SBS™ clarifiers – reduces overall sludge handling costs by as much as 50%
• Natural segregation of residential sludge for re-use and recycling – meets Federal Best Management Practices Policies for sludge use/recycling
• Less frequent sludge handling in the sewage system (7-10 years between clean-out cycles), compared to more frequent annual or semi-annual cycles associated with historic systems
• Sewers need less maintenance than historic systems – flushing only on 10 year cycles – compared to an annual program with historic sewers
• Maintenance of piping by local personnel with only flushing required and no specialized equipment or skilled labor
• Less system flow and lower strength sewage than historic results in a lower net cost of treatment
• Lower annual fees for operational requirements for all mechanical equipment (pump stations, treatment centres)
• Consistent low flow volumes and system chemistry – stabilizes treatment requirements and no fluctuation with seasonal infiltration associated with rainfall events/snowmelt and the use of historic systems

The SBS™ system provides superior protection to the surrounding environment and is more affordable, requiring less capital to acquire, and operates on a lower annual maintenance budget than a historic sewer system. The savings to the community go beyond capital costs, and will also be reflected in lower long-term and replacement reserve fees.

If grant programs are to be utilized for assisting the communities with septic tank replacement, a higher ratio grant will be attainable – lowering the cost for each individual household. If local improvement is the process for capitalizing the projects, residents will benefit by significantly lower system costs and minimization of disruption to roads and properties associated with trenchless methodology. If a centralized sewage plant is to be utilized, upgrading costs will be less if the SBS™ system is used.

Learn more about the SBS™ system