The Corporation of the Township of Black River-Matheson - Order to alleviate effects of discharges to water

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is proposing to issue a Director's Report under section 62 of the Ontario Water Resources Act. to the Corporation of the Township of Black River-Matheson respecting the Val Gagné South Lagoon sewage works. The private works serve approximately 14 residences and several commercial properties in the Val Gagné South area and consist of a sanitary sewer collection system, manholes and a sewage lagoon that discharges to a drainage ditch connected to the Driftwood River watershed.

The sewage works are currently privately owned by Val Gagné Enterprises Company Limited. The ministry understands that the corporation no longer has a directing mind responsible for the ownership, operation and management of the system.

The ministry is proposing this action because the sewage works serve the residents of the municipality but have a long history of operational and compliance concerns. Ministry inspections conducted in 2013, 2018, and 2025 identified deficiencies associated with the operation and maintenance of the lagoon, including issues previously identified through engineering assessments that were not addressed. Sampling conducted by the ministry also indicated that the lagoon may not be providing adequate treatment of wastewater.

The proposed Director's Report would require the Township to maintain, operate, inspect, monitor and repair the sewage works; obtain ownership of the lagoon property; provide regular status reports to the ministry; undertake a professional evaluation of long-term wastewater servicing options; and, where warranted, pursue approvals necessary to bring the system into compliance.

The ministry is of the opinion that these measures are necessary in the public interest to ensure the continued operation of the sewage works and to protect human health, the environment, and to ensure a long-term solution for wastewater servicing the Township.