Baird was commissioned by the City of Ottawa to evaluate the impact of point source discharges such as stormwater, combined sewer overflows, creeks/rivers, and wastewater treatment plants on river water quality at the Petrie Island beach complex.

Services Provided

A comprehensive two-dimensional water quality model was developed for a section of the Ottawa River from the Chaudiere Dam downstream to Masson-Cumberland, a distance of approximately 28 kilometres. A total of 71 point sources from Ottawa and Gatineau were identified in the model and hydrological tools were developed to predict wet weather flows for 50 catchments and watersheds. The model was used to assess and prioritize the relative impact from various point source discharges and to evaluate a number of potential remedial options to improve river water quality.