Leeds and Thousand Islands reviews water, sewer budgets, considers zyme trial

The Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands council will take a closer look at the 2025 draft water and wastewater operating and capital budgets on Monday, following a review by the committee of the whole.

The proposed budgets, presented during Monday’s committee of the whole meeting in Lansdowne’s council chambers, outline operating costs of $376,100 for water and $354,400 for wastewater, totalling $730,500 – a six per cent increase over 2024.

The capital budget, including carryovers, stands at $3.32 million.

The water and wastewater utilities, which service the Village of Lansdowne, are self-funded. Rates paid by users cover operating and capital costs, meaning the services are not part of property tax calculations. Budget increases stem from maintenance needs and upcoming studies.

The water budget rose by $21,500 (just over six per cent), largely due to a $20,000 rate study required for 2026 rates.

Meanwhile, the wastewater budget increased by $20,900 (six per cent), with operating expenditures climbing 30 per cent, driven by maintenance work proposed by the Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA). This includes a $25,000 zyme trial and a $20,000 rate study.

The proposed zyme trial drew particular interest, as it aims to enhance wastewater lagoon efficiency through natural treatment methods.

“It’s a natural organic product that we add to the lagoons,” said David Holliday, TLTI’s director of operations and infrastructure.

“It breaks down the organic material within the lagoons and actually increases our capacity. So, within the sludge that you find in the lagoons, most of it is organic compound, and this chews that up to increase our capacity of the lagoons in the long run.”

Holliday emphasized the trial’s value, noting OCWA’s recommendation to implement the process.

Coun. Brian Mabee inquired whether the project would be a one-time initiative or an ongoing program.

“When you start up this product, it’s intense, then more of a maintenance thereafter,” Holliday responded. “If we find that we’re seeing the benefit, then it’s something that would be rolled into the operating as we continue on, but it wouldn’t be as the same level as initially starting it up.”

The zyme product would be dispersed via vehicle or boat, requiring no additional agitation, Holliday explained.

Coun. Jeff Lackie asked about ongoing costs if the trial proves successful.

“They (OCWA) provided us a brief estimate, around the $8,500 per year mark,” Holliday said.

“It’s not a large expense in terms of the maintenance of the lagoon itself. What it does, it saves us from having to excavate the material out if we’re able to break that material down. It lengthens the time the lagoons will be in operating order before we have to drain them out.”

Council will further deliberate the budgets and trial details during its Jan. 13 meeting.