Grant Program: Building Canada Fund Major Infrastructure Component (BCFMIC)

Project Summary: West Thornhill Stormwater Flood Remediation and Sanitary Sewer Capacity Improvements and Infiltration Reduction

Project Components:

· Erosion and Flood Protection - $5M

· Stormwater Flood Remediation Program - $40M

· Sanitary Sewer Replacement (Capacity Improvement) - $5.58M

· Inflow and Infiltration Reduction Program - $31.926M

• Downspout Disconnection Program $1.86M

• Elimination of Manhole Cover Inflow $66K

• Relining of Sanitary sewers and laterals $30M

Cost: Total cost $82.506M

Budget: Town will provide and advance the budget required for this project upon approval of the funding.

Timeline: This project is shovel ready. Studies have been completed and work has been identified. Some work can be started within 6 weeks of funding approval and will be completed by March 31, 2011. Work under this project is not in the 2009 budget.

Benefits:

This project will result in a significant economic impact within the region resulting from an estimated 924 jobs created and stimulating spending in other sectors. Numerous environmental social and other benefits are derived from this project namely:

• Capacity improvement of existing sewers

• Reduction of extraneous flows in the sewage system and reduction of sewage treatment volume resulting in energy savings, etc.

• Reduction and prevention of sewage spills into the environment

• Preserve and protect the natural and sensitive environment

• Reduce damage to property and environment

• Reduce impact to traffic and surface disturbances by utilizing trenchless technology

• Reduce cost and impact to environment utilizing advance no-dig method of rehabilitation

• Reduce impact to environment and health of workers by utilizing “green” products in rehabilitation.

• Rehabilitation of sewers extends its life expectancy by more than 50 years.

• Results in better customer service

PROJECT SUMMARY

Project Name: West Thornhill Stormwater Flood Remediation and Sanitary Sewer Capacity Improvements and Infiltration Reduction

Project Background

West Thornhill area in the Town of Markham was severely flooded during the Aug. 19, 2005 storm. Numerous homes have their sanitary sewers backup in their basements, streets, stream and rivers overflowed. Both the storm and sanitary sewers system has overflowed and caused significant damaged to homes and properties. Since that time several investigations, studies have been done and several immediate remedial work has been completed. To completely protect the entire area and prevent storm and sewage overflows, remediation of storm sewers and rehabilitation of sanitary sewers have been planned and proposed for the next five to ten years. With the availability of the Major Infrastructure Component funding under the Building Canada Fund, identified remediation and rehabilitation works can be accelerated and completed in two years.

The project has been divided into major components to address both storm and sanitary sewer flooding. The major components are:

· Erosion and Flood Protection - $5M

· Stormwater Flood Remediation Program - $40M

· Sanitary Sewer Replacement (Capacity Improvement) - $5.58M

· Inflow and Infiltration Reduction Program - $31.926M

Surface Erosion and Flood Control project will preserve the natural and sensitive environment in the Pomona Mills creek, East Don River tributaries and German Mills creek areas. Work required are embankment protection and culvert installations and protection. The total projected cost for this project is $5,000,000. Estimated number of jobs created under this project is 55.

Stormwater Flood Remediation Program

The Thornhill area in Markham is vulnerable to significant surface and building flooding during severe storm events. The severe storm events were characterized by high rainfall intensities and volumes which resulted in the flooding of many basements in residential homes and institutions and damage to the Town's infrastructure such as culverts and storm sewers.

Storm flows and volumes during these severe storms exceeded the current storm drainage infrastructure capacity in the Thornhill area. In response, the Town of Markham initiated a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment study and hired a consulting firm to assess the preferred alternative to improve the storm system performance in Thornhill to an acceptable level of protection.

Significant amount of improvements will be required for Thornhill to raise the level of protection for basement flooding. The following is the description of how this project fits the criteria required by the Canada Build Grant.

1) The stormwater improvements along with other flood remediation identified is $40 million dollars.

2) This project will be completed by March 31, 2011

3) There is currently no approved budget for the upgrade of the stormwater system in Thornhill.

4) Large amount of jobs will be created from the stormwater system upgrades. Specifically two additional new positions will be created in Town of Markham to deliver this program. Town will hire consultants and contractors to deliver the construction program. Estimated number of jobs created under this project is 444.

Sanitary Sewer Replacement

This project consist of diversion and replacement of 2790 m. of sanitary sewers that have been found to be under capacity. The total estimated cost to divert and replace these sewers is $5,580,000. Two additional internal staff will be hired to manage this project, one project manager and one inspector. Town will also hire consultant and contractors to deliver this program. Estimated number of jobs created under this project is 62.

Inflow and Infiltration Reduction

This project consists of 3 components. The first component is the Downspout Disconnection Program which consists of field investigations, smoke and dye testing, and flow monitoring for 6400 properties in the area. About 640 homes are estimated to be disconnected in this area. The second component is the elimination of inflow through the manhole by installation of manhole covers. There are 1700 manholes that are identified to be sealed. The third and largest component of this project is the relining of the sanitary sewers and laterals with is-situ liner. This will reduce infiltration, improve capacity and structural integrity of the existing pipe and extend the pipe life expectancy in all critical areas identified in the study. This project will reduce impact on the environment by using green resins in in-situ lining and utilizing trenchless technology methods. Reducing inflow and infiltration will reduce sewage treatment volumes and will therefore reduce energy usage in sewage treatment. The total cost for this project is $31,926,000. Four additional staff will be hired for this project namely two project managers, one inspector and one technician. Town will also hire consultant and contractors to deliver this program. Estimated number of jobs created under this project is 355.

Project	Cost	Internal Jobs Created	External Jobs Created
Erosion and Flood Protection	$ 5 M		55
Stormwater Flood Remediation Program	$ 40 M	2	444
Sanitary Sewer Replacement	$ 5.58 M	2	62
Inflow and Infiltration Reduction Program	$ 31.926M	4	355
TOTAL	$ 82.506M	8	916