A third local community is thinking about investing in a biodigester.
Brockton is seeking a government grant to take on a 3.5 million dollar biodigester project.
Utilities Manager Collin Saunders says the green project involves converting methane gas into electricity.
The biodigester can handle everything from sludge and septic waste to landfill leachate and restaurant waste such as fats, oils and grease.
Georgian Bluffs and Chatsworth have a biodigester in Kilsyth.
It’s the first municipally owned biodigester in Ontario and was connected to the Ontario power grid last Friday.
Once fully operational, the generator will produce up to 24 hundred kilowatt hours of electricity per day.
Brockton’s biodigester is smaller — and promises to produce 300 kilowatt hours of electricity as well as 300 kilowatt hours of heat.
Saunders says this is a timely project since they can invest in a biodigester instead of replacing equipment for the 40 year old wastewater treatment plant.
Saunders adds the biodigester could generate 656 thousand dollars in revenue each year through tipping fees and electricity.
Brockton has instructed staff to apply for funding under the Ontario Small Water Works Assistance Program.
The municipality has also approved the cost of an 8 thousand dollar feasibility study on the project.
