Councillors here are dredging up ways to remove unwanted silt from Brighton’s bay.

Council received a presentation on the issue at Monday’s committee-of-the-whole meeting from Genivar Consultants, a company based out of Markham.

John Himanen of Genivar said the silt in the bay should be removed.

“The sediment in this wetland can be removed and used in industrial and commercial areas,” said John Himanen of Genivar. “But we don’t recommend that it’s used in any agriculture areas.”
Kevin Morawski of Genivar said contaminants in the silt would have a negative affect on plant growth which makes it unnacceptable for agricultural areas.

Himanen and Morawski also presented the results of a water quality test performed last year.

These tests were conducted to investigate the water quality performance downstream of the management facilities at both Harbour Point Pond and Brighton by the Bay Wetland.

Some of the test parameters included pH balance, total suspended solids, total phosphorus and various forms of oil and grease.

Only one test result did not meet provincial standards. “The phosphorus levels at Presqu’ile Harbour were higher than the other areas,” said Himanen. “However, this doesn’t mean there’s a problem, it just means that more testing should be done on this area.”

Increased phosphorus levels can come from many different sources. The presence of birds will sometimes increase the levels of phosphorus in a body of water, as well as runoff from pesticides and herbicides, he said.

“We reccommend that further testing should be done to accurately pinpoint where the phosphorus is coming from and what we can do about it,” Himanen said. “If it’s coming from a flock of Canadian Geese that make the area their home, there’s not much that can be done about it.”

he number of solids in the tested areas were below the expected values.

“The report shows that the stormwater management facilities in the south Brighton area are not contributing to sedimentation in the water basins,” said Himanen.

The removal of silt and builup currently present, however, would have a positive effect on the end-of-pipe water quality.

These sediments can be removed through vacuum excavation, with an approximate cost of $15,000.

Himenan and Morawoski recommended the areas undergo further testing, to determine the urgency of removing the sedimentation.

Council is to discuss the matter at its next meeting.