On this page:
1. Project Updates
2. Public Consultation
3. Related Documents
The Town is completing this Class Environmental Assessment to evaluate and select the preferred solution to address the Town’s water storage and water supply in the general area east of Wards Road to Grey Road 21. This includes Pressure Zones 1 East, 4 (a, b, c, d) and 5.
Storage
At build-out, approximately 8,300 m3 of storage is required in Zone 4. There is currently 5,000 m3 of built storage that serves that pressure zone, leaving a deficit of at least 3,300 m3.
Supply
In the 20-year horizon build-out scenario, the projected supply is not adequate. Historically, the Town’s water system has been set up to transfer water from pressure zones in the west, to pressure zones in the east through the Arrowhead Booster Pumping Station. The current water system is long and lacks looping and redundancy. It is reliant on the Thornbury Water Treatment Plant and a supply from the Town of Collingwood via the Mountain Road Booster Pumping Station.
Preliminary Preferred Alternative
The preliminary preferred alternative identified through the study includes the following:
- Construct new water treatment plant in Craigleith with 7,133 m3/day capacity
- Upgrade Thornbury Water Treatment Plant capacity to 18,165 m3/day
- Construct new 5,000 m3 at-grade reservoir in Craigleith
- Construct new 285 L/s booster pumping station in Craigleith and decommission existing Arrowhead Road Booster Pumping Station
- Twin watermain from new water treatment plant and reservoir to Happy Valley Reservoir
- Twin watermain from Happy Valley Reservoir to east limits of pressure zone 4
This alternative has been endorsed in principle by Town Council. Members of the public are invited to share their comments and thoughts with the project team by emailing icpc@thebluemountains.ca.
Why Now?
To evaluate solutions to the Town's storage and supply deficiencies in the East Pressure Zones.
Project Updates
July 4, 2024 - Sampling program for proposed water intake
The Town’s consultant has engaged Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Limited to complete a water quality testing program for the Water Treatment Plant identified in the preliminary preferred alternative. Three potential locations have been identified for the intake pipe. During four periods throughout the year, samples will be taken at points 200m, 600m and 1,000m offshore at each potential intake pipe location. Two sampling events will be completed following storm events, one sampling event will be completed during spring snow melt and the final sampling event will be completed on a typical calm summer day. Results will be used to inform the assessment of alternatives and to establish necessary treatment technologies for the proposed treatment facility.
Town Water Pressure Zone Map
Click to view