Balancing nature and infrastructure.
Recreational campgrounds across Ontario are experiencing a surge in visitor numbers, placing new demands on aging sewage infrastructure. EnVision is helping meet this challenge with innovative environmental investigations and design solutions that protect sensitive ecosystems while supporting modern campground use.
Ontario’s recreational campgrounds are undergoing a transformation. Once seasonal retreats with modest infrastructure, they are now bustling destinations with year-round appeal. As trailers, comfort stations, and visitor centers see increased use, the strain on aging existing sewage systems has become a pressing concern. Many of these systems were designed decades ago, based on assumptions about flow volumes and waste characteristics that go back nearly 50 years. Today, this infrastructure faces the challenge of modernizing to meet the current demand while safeguarding the sensitive environments in which they operate.
The consequences of outdated or undersized infrastructure are serious. Overloaded systems can lead to service disruptions, unpleasant visitor experiences, and environmental degradation. Untreated or poorly managed wastewater poses risks to surface water and groundwater, threatening aquatic ecosystems and drinking water sources. In campgrounds located near lakes, wetlands, or forested areas, these risks are especially acute.
EnVision has responded with a modernized, environmentally conscious approach to sewage system design. Our work spans dozens of campground sites across Ontario, where we’ve conducted detailed investigations to understand how today’s usage patterns translate into wastewater generation. This includes characterizing flows from comfort stations, trailer dumping stations, and other high-use facilities ensuring that infrastructure is not only robust, but also appropriately scaled.
One of the key innovations in our approach is the use of digital telemetry. By installing pressure transducers and flow meters, we have been able to monitor sewage volumes in real time, capturing peak flows and daily variations with precision. This data replaces outdated assumptions and allows us to design systems that reflect actual usage, avoiding both underperformance and overbuilding.
Our designs are guided by environmental stewardship. We conduct hydrogeological and geotechnical investigations to understand soil and groundwater conditions, helping us place infrastructure where it will have the least impact. We also assess nutrient loading and effluent characteristics to ensure that subsurface discharge is safe and sustainable. These studies help ensure compliance with regulatory standards and provide confidence that campground operations will not compromise environmental integrity.
Rather than defaulting to large-scale expansions, we prioritize smart, efficient solutions. By combining waste streams where appropriate, we reduce the footprint of new systems. We design septic tanks, treatment systems, pump stations, and dispersal beds to handle peak flows without encroaching into sensitive areas. This means fewer trees removed, less habitat disturbed, and a servicing footprint that respects the landscape.
Through thoughtful design and innovative monitoring, EnVision is helping to future-proof Ontario’s campgrounds. Our goal is to ensure that these cherished natural spaces remain safe, accessible, and sustainable; supporting both the needs of today’s visitors and the ecosystems that surround them.
