Environmental Division

The City of Cornwall has a well managed public utilities department. Its activities encompass three specific areas: water purification, waste water treatment, and solid waste disposal. In addition, it has initiated a number of waste reduction programs. Cornwall has gained national prominence for a number of environmental initiatives including a state-of-the-art co-generation plant and a home tune-up program which has resulted in energy savings for over 10,000 households.

Water Purification
Cornwall's waterworks consists of an intake site and a treatment plant along with a reservoir and elevated storage tank. Over 13 million cubic metres of fresh clean water are pumped through 200 kilometres of water mains to efficiently distribute the City's abundant water supply. The water is treated according to standard water purification methods using poly aluminum chloride, chlorine, Ultra-Violet disinfection with the addition of fluoride for tooth protection. It undergoes continual and rigorous testing and earns high ratings from the Ministry of the Environment.

Wastewater Treatment
A modern wastewater treatment plant processes over 40,000 cubic metres of waste each day, well below its rated capacity. Included in the processing is a chemical addition for phosphorous removal, carried out before the effluent is discharged into the St. Lawrence River.

Solid Waste Disposal
Cornwall owns and operates a 29 hectare (70 acre) landfill site easily accessible within the City boundaries. The site, operational since 1985 handles roughly 55,000 metric tonnes/year including de-watered bio-solids from the water treatment plant. Careful management of the site has extended it life span from 20 to an estimated 35 years.

Waste Reduction
In March of 1991 the City of Cornwall Environmental Services Division initiated a Blue Box Recycling program to reduce waste and prolong the life of its landfill site. This program was expanded in September of 2005 with the implementation of the Black Box.  Over 16,000 households throughout the City were provided with Blue and Black Boxes to divert newspapers, glass, metal and plastic to a separate facility for processing. City residents have also purchased over 8,000 composters for disposal of kitchen and yard waste. The City collects leaves and yard waste each fall, composting the material and using it on City gardens.