Why treat wastewater?
Annual reports for wastewater treatment plants available online
The City of Toronto has released comprehensive annual reports for it's four wastewater treatment plants that discuss the operational details, capital projects, maintenance history and costs for each plant.
Wastewater is the mixture of liquid and solid materials that residents and businesses flush down toilets and empty down sinks and drains. This material then flows through a network of pipes that make up the city’s sanitary sewer system.
Toronto's highly concentrated urban population contributes too much organic and inorganic material and bacteria-causing bacteria for existing natural system (land and lakes) to accommodate.
As a result, treatment of wastewater is an essential process that prevents contamination and the destruction of our waterways, drinking water resources and natural water resources.
The City's four wastewater treatment plants deliver this service.
Learn more about the process:
Where does the water from your toilet go? (PDF)
If you are a history buff …
Learn about the Early history of wastewater treatment in Toronto.