In accordance with the Nutrient Management Act, the Ministry of the Environment has declared that untreated septage disposal on land will be phased out by 2008. Because of this new legislation,the province has made large funds available to communities to study the problem and evaluate alternative solutions.

The County of Renfrew received over $100,000 from the government and they commissioned a study to develop a septage and biosolids management plan for Renfrew County. The goal of this study was to determine the best alternative, which is cost-effective and socially and environmentally acceptable for the treating and disposing of septage and sludge within Renfrew County.

The result of this study was the 'Dillon Report'.