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EMC News – The City of Ottawa held two public meetings last week to report on the third phase of the ongoing Kanata flood investigation. The sessions outlined more than $20 million in large-scale measures that will be needed to mitigate the threat of future flooding.
The public meetings were Sept. 13 for the Katimavik-Hazeldean area and Sept. 15 for Glen Cairn neighbourhoods.
Following an open house where people could look at display boards, ask questions and provide feedback one on one, a presentation on the solutions that have been found to be the most effective was made by city staff and Kanata South councillor Peggy Feltmate. A question period followed the presentation.
“City staff have acted to identify exactly what the problems are and as a result have proposed numerous solutions to help make sure this doesn’t happen again,” said councillor Feltmate. “City staff and my office have worked very hard and very closely with the Kanata South Community Flood Committee.”
Though the fixes will be spread out over the next few years, the presentation did identify some remedies that will be implemented immediately.
“After this meeting city staff will take the public’s comments and develop an implementation plan based on the proposed solutions,” said Feltmate.
The Environmental Study Report is to be completed in late October and posted for 30-day review. Residents will have an opportunity to request a Part II Order if they have concerns that they feel are not adequately addressed by the study team. The Part II Order is a request that the project be subject to formal governmental review and approval under the Environmental Assessment Act.
Anyone with outstanding concerns must file a written request to the Minister of the Environment (135 St. Clair Avenue West, Toronto, Ontario M4V 1P5) for a Part II Order within the 30-day review period.
In the meantime, Phase III of the flood report has identified work that can proceed immediately without needing the completion of the study, said civil engineer Eric Tousignant, Manager of Infrastructure Services & Community Sustainability for the City of Ottawa.
Work will include replacing all sanitary manhole covers to prevent surface inflow from entering the sanitary system, to start in October 2010, as well as repairs to all sewer deficiencies identified with the fog testing and CCTV programs, also to take place in October 2010.
Storm sewer Inlet control devices will be installed this fall in Glen Cairn to protect the storm system from surcharging.
Sewer upgrades identified in the study, such as pipe size increases and new pipes, will be carried out in summer 2011.
The Residential Protective Plumbing Program is currently spearheading the installation of sump pumps and backwater valves in homes that are located in the zone of influence of the Glen Cairn pond and Carp River.
Modification to depressed driveways to prevent street flow from flooding depressed garages will be designed where applicable in December, with construction in the summer of 2011.
An immediate upgrade to Hazeldean Pumping Station will increase capacity to 1220 L/s. The design is ongoing, with construction slated for 2011.
“Other works require that the Environmental Assessment be completed and/or that council approves the required budget before they can proceed,” said Tousignant.
However, improvement to storm drainage systems, with overland flow modifications, is to start in summer 2011, including Glen Cairn pond modifications and a new storm water pumping station. The station is to be designed in 2011, with construction in 2012 provided the city approves the budget.
A storm water storage system utilizing underground pipes, holding tanks and surface storage in park areas will be designed in 2011 for construction 2012 with approved funds.
Also in 2012, an emergency overflow system is proposed for the Hazeldean Pumping Station.
“Future capacity upgrades to the pumping station will be phased in as development proceeds in the area,” said Eric Tousignant.
The general consensus of the residents in attendance was hopeful that the measures will be carried out as proposed.
One resident said he was “encouraged by the report. It looks like a lot of work has been done.”
Councillor Feltmate said the city has approved $4 million in 2010 with $12 million proposed for 2011 budget and the final $4 million in 2012.
“I have a hard time believing the money won’t be there,” she told those at the Glen Cairn meeting. “The costs will be spread over a number of budgets, including ongoing maintenance for infrastructure and road work.”
David Johnston is a freelance writer currently on assignment with the EMC.