Newterra Delivers Scalable, Low-Impact Wastewater System for Growing Ontario Community

CHALLENGE

With rapid residential growth on the horizon, the Township of Southwold in Talbotville, Ontario, faced the urgent need to support development with new wastewater infrastructure. While three developers planned to expand an existing 500-home neighborhood by over 2,000 additional homes, the area was still reliant on individual septic systems—and lacked the municipal infrastructure needed for long-term sustainability.

An initial environmental assessment recommended a traditional wastewater treatment plant, but the estimated cost of $10 million CAD made this option unfeasible. The township needed a cost-effective, scalable solution that would align with its phased development plans and allow services to grow as demand increased.

SOLUTION

Newterra, in collaboration with the township’s engineering team, proposed a modular Clear3 Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) system as an economical and adaptable alternative. Unlike conventional systems, Newterra’s pre-engineered, containerized MBR approach enabled phased installation and minimized upfront capital expenditures.

Key advantages of the Newterra solution included:

• Phased “pay-as-you-grow” model aligned with development pace
• Rapid deployment — seven treatment units were installed in less than a day
• Compact, modular footprint with full odor and noise attenuation for residential integration
• High-efficiency treatment, meeting strict surface water discharge regulations
• Short installation timeline — full system startup completed in under two weeks

Designed to handle an initial flow of 132,086 GPD (500 m³/day), the system is expandable to 317,006 GPD (1,200 m³/day), allowing the township to scale operations seamlessly over time. Effluent is safely discharged into a nearby pond behind the community.

RESULTS

Thanks to Newterra’s flexible approach, the Township of Southwold was able to move forward with critical infrastructure to support growth—without incurring massive upfront costs. The community embraced the modular solution, especially the reduced environmental impact, quick installation, and seamless integration into residential surroundings.

The system’s sound- and odor-controlled design ensures that, even at full capacity, the treatment facility blends into the neighborhood—quiet, clean, and unobtrusive. By adopting Newterra’s decentralized treatment model, the township not only addressed its immediate development needs but also set a scalable foundation for the future.

“ We knew we had to grow… when going through the selection process, Newterra was heads and shoulders above the rest. Our engineering company was very familiar with Newterra and comfortable with the product that it produced. It’s been a really great process working with Newterra.”
Mayor Grant Jones, Southwold Township