What the heck is the Upper York Sewage Solution, and why should I care?

Everything you need to know about the Region's big growth gamble, and why it is so controversial

Yorkegion.com
March 23, 2020
Simon Martin

You may have heard stories about the UYSS and thought, why should I care about this odd four-letter acronym?

If you're wondering what the big deal is about the Upper York Sewage Solution (UYSS) and why the Region is flushing millions of dollars into the project, here are the answers to some commonly asked questions.   

So what exactly is the UYSS?

The UYSS is, by the latest estimates, a $715-million dollar sewage treatment plant/water reclamation centre that will handle 47 million litres per day. It will enable the forecasted growth of an additional 34,500 people in Aurora, 27,000 people in Newmarket and 91,500 people in East Gwillimbury, all in the Lake Simcoe watershed.

Where will it be located?

The proposed location for the sewage plant is 2nd Concession Road, north of Queensville Sideroad, in Queensville.

What technology will be used at the sewage plant/water reclamation centre?

According to the region, on top of conventional wastewater treatment technologies used today, the proposed water reclamation centre will use proven advanced treatment technologies, such as membrane filtration and reverse osmosis, to provide additional treatment at the facility. The region says the water flowing out of the plant and into the East Holland River will be cleaner than the current river water quality today. The region says they will be the first municipality in Canada to use this reverse osmosis technology.

How will treated sewage from the UYSS make its way to Lake Simcoe?

It will be transported via a pipe along Queensville Sideroad to the East Holland River, which flows into Lake Simcoe.

Wait – I thought no more sewage plants were allowed on Lake Simcoe?

Technically, that’s correct. Due to provisions of the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, there are no new sewage plants allowed on Lake Simcoe in addition to the 15 current ones. The region skirts around this with the plan to transfer the existing certificate from the still-operational Holland Landing lagoons for the new plant.

What’s happening right now with the UYSS?

The Ministry of Environment is still deliberating over the environmental assessment on the UYSS that was submitted in 2014. The region originally expected approval in 2015.

What's causing the delay?

The approval delay is due to the provincial duty to consult with the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation, who live on the island in Lake Simcoe and have voiced their opposition to the construction of the new sewage plant.

So why exactly are the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation opposed to the plant?

The Chippewas are already struggling with the water quality of Lake Simcoe, as they are on a boil-water advisory. They don’t think the new plant will necessarily be beneficial to the health of the lake, with which so much of their lives are intertwined.   

Why Lake Simcoe?

The original plan was to pump sewage south to Lake Ontario as part of the York Durham Sewage System and expand operations at Duffins Creek, but last decade the province asked York Region to come up with the Lake Simcoe solution.

How much money has York Region spent on this project so far?

Earlier this year, York Region Director of Capital Planning and Delivery Mike Rabeau said the region has spent more than $80 million on the project through its various studies and detailed design.

If approved, when will the UYSS be ready?

As of early this year, Rabeau said that if the region gets approval for the project, the earliest it could be operational is 2027. It was originally scheduled to be ready in 2018, and that date was pushed back to 2024.