During a heavy rain event in 2023, Ruthven residents experienced basement flooding from a sanitary sewer back-up. Between 2023 and 2024, the Town hired an independent engineering firm which studied and concluded that the volume of wastewater in Ruthven is exceeding sewer capacity.
There is a real risk of additional flooding during storm events.
The Town took several immediate steps including significant expenditures to improve performance in the Ruthven sanitary sewer. An oversized pump has been rented and installed, with a new larger and permanent pump being engineered for installation at a cost of over $1 million.
A contingency plan has been implemented for extreme weather events.
The Town also created a new By-law to regulate the connection and discharge into the sanitary sewer system by greenhouses, including limits on the quantity, quality, and frequency of discharges permitted into the sanitary sewers. This is the first step in the overhaul of a comprehensive sewer By-law.
The Town has started with our largest users first to make the quickest and biggest impact on capacity. As a result of this new By-law, the Town has had constructive discussions with individual greenhouse operators and preliminary discussions to have greenhouses meet the conditions outlined in their original connection agreements.
The Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (an Ontario-wide association with 24 members in Kingsville) have now commenced legal proceedings to stop the Town from enforcing the new By-law to regulate greenhouse sewer discharge.
Residents and businesses in Kingsville should know that the Town may be forced to delay addressing the sewer capacity issues in Ruthven because of this legal proceeding.
The Town’s engineering consultant also recommended the Town prohibit any new residential, commercial, and greenhouse connections into the existing sanitary sewer in Ruthven until the problem is addressed.
As a result of recent improvements in performance in the Ruthven sewer system, Council has now approved lifting the prohibition on new building permits for individual housing construction, along with industrial construction. Larger developments remain prohibited until a larger sewer system can be constructed.
February, 2025:
The Town hosted a public information meeting to present information and answer questions about the severity and complexity of the situation. Greenhouse operators were invited and many of their representatives attended.
April, 2025:
The Town passed an Interim Control By-law, which restricted construction, alteration, or expansion of any building or structure in Kingsville that would add discharge to the Ruthven sanitary system.
Additional efforts were taken to improve flow rates and capacity, including the installation of a pressure relief valve, larger pump, and flow monitoring equipment for each greenhouse.
May, 2025:
The Town passed a Greenhouse Sanitary Sewer By-law to regulate the connection and discharge into Kingsville’s sanitary sewer system by greenhouses.
The by-law includes limits on quantity, quality and frequency of discharges permitted into the sanitary sewers, and requirements for the installation of remote flow monitor devices to ensure compliance with the permit.
June, 2025:
The Ruthven Sewer Expansion Task Force was created, bringing together industry and Town representatives. It includes representatives of the greenhouse sector, housing development, and industrial properties with business interests in Ruthven.
The Task Force has been working to open dialogue and develop a long-term plan for expanding capacity in the Ruthven sanitary sewer.
August, 2025:
As a result of temporary measures, the Town removed restrictions and prohibitions on residential and industrial building permits in Ruthven. The By-law continues to restrict building permits for new residential or industrial plans of subdivision and new agricultural or greenhouse operations.
For more in-depth information on this topic, including Council reports, by-laws and an opportunity to HaveYourSay, join the conversation at HaveYourSayKingsville.ca.
~ Photo by Chris Anson