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extensionerior of Nonquon Water Pollution Control Plant

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The Regional Municipality of Durham provides wastewater collection and treatment to all kinds of buildings. Wastewater collection and treatment is essential to the economy, our health and for the protection of the environment.

Watch our Water Champions video to learn more about how waste water is treated before it is returned to the environment.

Wastewater Treatment

The Region treats wastewater and releases effluent into certain bodies of water. Waste quality must meet high standards as set by the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change.

We own and operate these water pollution control systems:

  • Cannington Lagoons
  • Corbett Creek Water Pollution Control Plant
  • Courtice Water Pollution Control Plant
  • Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant
  • Harmony Creek Water Pollution Control Plant
  • Lake Simcoe Water Pollution Control Plant
  • Newcastle Water Pollution Control Plant
  • Nonquon River Water Pollution Control Plant
  • Port Darlington Water Pollution Control Plant
  • Sunderland Lagoon
  • Uxbridge Brook Water Pollution Control Plant

View our wastewater treatment process diagram

View our Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant page

Wastewater collection

The wastewater collection system moves wastewater from homes, businesses and institutions.

It uses a system of underground pipes and pumping stations. Wastewater ends up at a water pollution control plant.

Durham Region owns and operates:

  • More than 50 pumping stations.
  • More than 2,000 kilometers of sanitary sewer pipes.
  • More than 60 kilometers of forcemain pipes.

Water Pollution Control Plant and Sanitary Sewage Pumping Station Bypasses, Spills and Overflows

A bypass occurs when sewage is diverted around parts of the sanitary sewage pumping station (SSPS) system or water pollution control plant (WPCP) resulting in potentially partially treated sanitary sewage. An overflow takes place when untreated sewage is discharged from the SSPS system or WPCP at designed locations other than the approved site. Release of untreated sewage from undesigned locations is the SSPS and WPCP is classified as a spill. Extreme weather events such as significant rainfall and snow melt can overwhelm the SSPS systems and WPCPs causing bypasses and overflows. Equipment failure such as a break in the pressurized sanitary sewer pipe (forcemain) conveying sanitary sewage to the WPCP can result in a spill if wastewater leaks into the environment.

Bypass, spill and overflow location, frequency and duration

All bypass, spill and overflow events are reported to the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks through the Ontario Spills Action Centre. Data collected includes the affected facility, date, time, duration, volume and cause of each event. The Region also details all efforts taken to minimize the potential impact of the event on the receiving water body.

Bypass, spills and overflow reports
LocationDateDuration (hours)Volume (m3)ReasonEvent Type
Harmony Creek WPCP Dec 16, 2024 - Jan 27, 2025 1032 404,582 Primary clarifier collection system failure Bypass
Newcastle WPCP Nov 19, 2024 5 646 Planned approved bypass of chlorine contact chamber for cleaning Bypass
Liverpool SSPS August 7-8, 2024 36* 972* Forcemain Break Spill
Courtice WPCP July 28, 2024 7.25 14,489 Power Failure Bypass
Madawaska SSPS July 16, 2024 4 270 High flow due to heavy precipitation Overflow
Harmony Creek WPCP July 16, 2024 7.25 29,751 High flow due to heavy precipitation Bypass
Corbett Creek WPCP July 16, 2024 3.5 3,073 High flow due to heavy precipitation Bypass
Blue Maple SSPS May 31, 2024 24 280 Forcemain Break Spill
Liverpool SSPS May 4-5, 2024 48* 552*
Forcemain Break Spill
Newcastle WPCP April 18, 2024 3.75 903 Planned approved bypass of the chlorine contact chamber for cleaning Bypass
Harmony Creek WPCP April 12, 2024 15.25 32,305 High flow due to heavy precipitation Bypass
Corbett Creek WPCP April 12, 2024 1.5 25 High flow due to heavy precipitation Bypass
Corbett Creek WPCP March 26, 2024 1 194 High flow due to heavy precipitation Bypass
Corbett Creek WPCP March 24, 2024 1.25 163 High flow due to heavy precipitation Bypass
Corbett Creek WPCP March 24, 2024 1.5 274 High flow due to heavy precipitation Bypass
Corbett Creek WPCP March 23, 2024 2.75 307 High flow due to heavy precipitation Bypass
Corbett Creek WPCP March 10-11, 2024 21.5 2,973 High flow due to heavy precipitation Bypass
Corbett Creek WPCP March 9-10, 2024 22.5 5,124 High flow due to heavy precipitation Bypass
Newcastle WPCP November 16, 2023 4 495 Planned approved bypass of the chlorine contact chamber for cleaning Bypass
Sunset Blvd SSPS September 1, 2023 4 15 Blockage of screen leading to upstream sewer surcharge  Spill
Corbett Creek WPCP June 24, 2023 4.5 2,500 High flow due to heavy precipitation Bypass
Harmony Creek WPCP June 24, 2023 2 1,241 High flow due to heavy precipitation Bypass
Newcastle WPCP April 20, 2023 3.5 572 Planned approved bypass of the chlorine contact chamber for cleaning Bypass
Harmony Creek WPCP March 25, 2023 3 6,105 High flow due to heavy precipitation Bypass
Harmony Creek WPCP February 9-10, 2023 5 11,814 High flow due to heavy precipitation Bypass
Blue Maple SSPS January 24, 2023 3 11 Forcemain break Spill
Corbett Creek WPCP January 4, 2023 3 199 High flow due to heavy precipitation Bypass
Harmony Creek WPCP January 4, 2023 2 3,617 High flow due to heavy precipitation Bypass
Danovilla SSPS December 14, 2022 9 161 Forcemain break Spill
Newcastle WPCP November 24, 2022 4.5 561 Planned Approved Bypass of the chlorine contact chamber for cleaning Bypass
Sunderland WPCP August 8, 2022 95 11,816 Planned approved bypass to drain stormwater in the maintenance lagoon Bypass
Newcastle WPCP April 20, 2022 5 748 Planned approved bypass of the chlorine contact chamber for cleaning Bypass
Simcoe Street North SSPS April 14, 2022 Unknown 0.72 per day Air relief valve failure Spill
Conlin Road SSPS January 19, 2022 Unknown 300 Forcemain break Spill

Michael Boulevard SSPS

December 21, 2021 Unknown 1,035 Forcemain break Spill
Newcastle WPCP November 4, 2021 4 650 Planned approved bypass of the chlorine contact chamber Bypass
Newcastle WPCP April 7, 2021 4 566 Planned approved bypass of the chlorine contact chamber for cleaning Bypass

*Duration and volume are estimated

Recreational Vehicle Holding Tank Waste Disposal

You can empty your recreational vehicle holding tank at these locations:

Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant
901 McKay Road, Pickering
Open Monday to Sunday, 24 hours a day 

Corbett Creek Water Pollution Control Plant
2400 Forbes Street, Whitby
Open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (excluding statutory holidays)

Courtice Water Pollution Control Plant
100 Osborne Road, Courtice
Open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (excluding statutory holidays)

Port Darlington Water Pollution Control Plant
93 Port Darlington Road, Bowmanville
Open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (excluding statutory holidays)

Uxbridge Brook Water Pollution Control Plant
127 Main Street North, Uxbridge
Open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (excluding statutory holidays)

Water pollution control plants annual performance reports

2024 Water Pollution Control Plants Annual Performance Report

2024 Introduction Letter 

2024 Map of Water Pollution Control Plants

2024 Cannington WPCP Annual Performance Report

2024 Corbett Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2024 Courtice WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2024 Duffin Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2024 Harmony Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2024 Lake Simcoe WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2024 Newcastle WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2024 Nonquon WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2024 Port Darlington WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2024 Sunderland WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2024 Uxbridge WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2024 Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Annual Report

2024 Annual Performance Report Glossary of Terms

2023 Water Pollution Control Plants Annual Performance Report

2023 Water Pollution Control Plants Annual Performance Report

2023 Introduction Letter 

2023 Cannington WPCP Annual Performance Report

2023 Carruthers Creek SSPS Annual Performance Report

2023 Corbett Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2023 Courtice WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2023 Duffin Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2023 Harmony Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2023 Lake Simcoe WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2023 Newcastle WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2023 Nonquon WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2023 Port Darlington WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2023 Sunderland WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2023 Uxbridge WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2023 Map of Water Pollution Control Plants

2023 Annual Performance Report Glossary of Terms

2022 Water Pollution Control Plants Annual Performance Report

2022 Water Pollution Control Plants Annual Performance Report

2022 Introduction Letter 

2022 Cannington WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2022 Corbett Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2022 Courtice WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2022 Duffin Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2022 Harmony Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2022 Lake Simcoe WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2022 Newcastle WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2022 Nonquon WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2022 Port Darlington WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2022 Sunderland WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2022 Uxbridge WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2022 Accessible Location of WPCP 

2022 Annual Performance Report Glossary of Terms

2021 Water Pollution Control Plants Annual Performance Report

2021 Water Pollution Control Plants Annual Performance Report

2021 Introduction Letter 

2021 Cannington WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2021 Corbett Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2021 Courtice WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2021 Duffin Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2021 Harmony Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2021 Lake Simcoe WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2021 Newcastle WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2021 Nonquon WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2021 Port Darlington WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2021 Sunderland WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2021 Uxbridge WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2021 Accessible Location of WPCP 

2021 Annual Performance Report Glossary of Terms

2020 Water Pollution Control Plants Annual Performance Report

2020 Water Pollution Control Plants Annual Performance Report

2020 Introduction Letter 

2020 Cannington WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2020 Corbett Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2020 Courtice WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2020 Duffin Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2020 Harmony Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2020 Lake Simcoe WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2020 Newcastle WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2020 Nonquon WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2020 Port Darlington WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2020 Sunderland WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2020 Uxbridge WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2020 Accessible Location of WPCP 

2020 Annual Performance Report Glossary of Terms

2019 Water Pollution Control Plants Annual Performance Report

2019 Water Pollution Control Plants Annual Performance Report

2019 Introduction Letter 

2019 Cannington WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2019 Corbett Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2019 Courtice WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2019 Duffin Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2019 Harmony Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2019 Lake Simcoe WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2019 Newcastle WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2019 Nonquon WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2019 Port Darlington WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2019 Sunderland WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2019 Uxbridge WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2019 Accessible Location of WPCP 

2019 Annual Performance Report Glossary of Terms

2018 Water Pollution Control Plants Annual Performance Report

2018 Introduction Letter 

2018 Cannington WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2018 Corbett Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2018 Courtice WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2018 Duffin Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2018 Harmony Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2018 Lake Simcoe WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2018 Newcastle WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2018 Nonquon WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2018 Port Darlington WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2018 Sunderland WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2018 Uxbridge WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2018 Accessible Location of WPCP 

2018 Annual Performance Report Glossary of Terms

2017 Water Pollution Control Plants Annual Performance Report

2017 Introduction Letter 

2017 Cannington WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2017 Corbett Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2017 Courtice WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2017 Duffin Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2017 Harmony Creek WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2017 Lake Simcoe WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2017 Newcastle WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2017 Nonquon WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2017 Port Darlington WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2017 Sunderland WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2017 Uxbridge WPCP Annual Performance Report 

2016 Water Pollution Control Plants Annual Performance Report 

2015 Water Pollution Control Plants Annual Performance Report

Basement flooding and blocked sanitary sewers

If you have basement flooding or a blocked sanitary sewer please contact your local depot.

Biosolids management

Biosolids are a by-product of the wastewater treatment process. During wastewater treatment, we remove and treat solids. This reduces smell and pathogens. The treated solids produce nutrient-rich organic matter. We call this matter biosolids. In Durham Region, biosolids are burned or applied to farms. Durham Region applies between 1,000 and 5,000 dry tonnes of biosolids to land each year depending on weather and availability.

Sewer odour complaints

Sometimes you may notice an earthy-like smell coming from your bathroom sink. It can also come from your basement floor drain. The odour might come from of a dried out drain. Water should always be present in the drain. It prevents the smell from coming back out of the pipes. The drain may also need a cleaning. You can use a store bought drain cleaner. Follow manufacturer guidelines.

If the smell is still present, please contact your local depot.

Sewer Use By-Law

The Sewer Use By-law controls discharges to Durham Region sanitary sewers and storm sewers. The by-law protects the environment and the operation of our water pollution control plants. It limits what gets in to our sewers. If you have questions about the Sewer Use By-law please contact:

The Regional Municipality of Durham
Works Department
Sewer Use by-law Office
2400 Forbes Street
Whitby, Ontario
L1N 8M3

Telephone: 905-576-3352

Sewer locates

The Region can locate water pipes and sanitary sewers on public property only. We can find the water service box or extensionernal shut off valve for a home, business or institution. Use a private company to find watermains on private property. If you would like to request a water or sewer locate on public property, please contact your local depot.

Asset management

The Region's formal asset management program includes:

  • Evaluation of assets and their condition.
  • Identification of key challenges and risks.
  • Detailed option analysis.
  • Financial strategy with a multi-year economic and financial forecast.
  • Assessment of financing options for existing assets and future growth.

Wastewater Master Plan Study

The Wastewater Master Plan Study develops a long-term strategy for all municipal wastewater collection and treatment systems in Durham Region.

Integrated Management System

An Integrated Management System (IMS) helps the Region meet the Standard of Care requirements. An IMS demonstrates that management controls over the Region's municipal drinking water and waste water treatment systems exist. We put the IMS in place in 2003. It was for the Region's municipal drinking water systems. The IMS later expanded to include wastewater. This happened when we added the Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant. The Duffin Creek plant is currently registered to ISO14001.

The Region is committed to showing leadership through the IMS. The Scope Statement and the Environmental Policy reflects this. The Scope details out objectives to deliver an effective management system. These documents are available through the Region's Integrated Management System co-ordinator.

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