The Region of Waterloo has applied for a Sunday noise bylaw exemption to expedite the installation of two steel biosolids storage tanks and complete other work at the Galt Wastewater Treatment Plant on Water Street South.
The upgrades at the plant have been ongoing since 2022 and the region says the exemption window of Sundays between March 25 and Sept. 30 provides some flexibility for scheduling the work due to weather conditions and potential delays with the construction contract.
Staff believe it will get the biosolids storage facility into operation sooner, alleviating capacity and operational risks associated with biosolids processing at the plant.
The exemption would apply to Sundays from around 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and includes the operation of heavy equipment (skid steer, telehandler) and hand tools (impact drivers).
The work will be located at the west end of the plant.
Residents located across from the Grand River may detect some noise, but the noise levels are expected to be intermittent and not disruptive, staff says.
The distance to the nearest house across from the river from the location of the work is approximately 415 meters. The work is planned to occur every other weekend however, the contractor may need to work consecutive weekends.
The contractor has also indicated that they will make all efforts for the work and noise on Sundays to be as minimal as possible.