On this page:
1. Project Updates
2. Staff Reports & Council Decisions
3. Public Meetings & Information Centres
4. Map of Project Area
5. Progress Photos
6. Quarterly Progress Reports
7. Frequently Asked Questions
8. Related Documents
The Town of the Blue Mountains is extending wastewater servicing along Tyrolean Lane and Birch View Trail. In addition, the existing watermain infrastructure along Tyrolean Lane, Kandahar Lane, Arlberg Crescent and Birch View Trail will also be replaced to address aging infrastructure and ensure the reliability of the distribution system. Project budget was approved by Town Council in 2020 budget.
The project will include:
In late November 2020 the Town awarded the contract for the completion of the detailed engineering design and contract administration to WT Infrastructure Solutions Inc. Due to unknown factors regarding potential future developments on Tyrolean Lane as of April 2022, construction will proceed in two phases.
Why Now?
As a part of the Town's Water and Wastewater Servicing Extension Plan, Birch View Trail and Tyrolean Lane have been identified for wastewater servicing.
A Staff Report is scheduled to be presented to Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, May 20 to provide an update on anticipated schedule for the the Tyrolean Lane Watermain Replacement and Wastewater Servicing project. Additional details can be found in the "Staff Reports & Council Decisions" section of this page.
Staff Report CFS.25.014 was presented to Committee of the Whole on Monday, March 17. The report provided an overview of the Public Information Centre held on Thursday, March 6, and requested Council direction to prepare By-laws to impose the capital charges for Drake's Path, Price's Development and Birch View Trail using the Infrastructure Ontario interest rates as of March 12, 2025. Committee voted in favour of the staff recommendations, and this direction was adopted by Council at their meeting on Monday, March 24. The Town's Finance Department will be sending out the Payment Election Forms to benefitting property owners before the end of the month.
Presentation of the report begins at the 3:55:55 mark of the Committee meeting recording.
Staff Report CFS.25.014 is scheduled to be presented to Committee of the Whole on Monday, March 17. The report provides an overview of the Public Information Centre held on Thursday, March 6, and requests Council direction to prepare By-laws to impose the capital charges for Drake's Path, Price's Development and Birch View Trail using the Infrastructure Ontario interest rates as of March 12, 2025.
The presentation deck and recording of the Public Information Centre held on March 6, 2025 are now available to view in the Public Meetings and Information Centres section below.
The Public Information Centre included a presentation of the background and cost breakdowns on each project, as well as the proposed repayment options that would be presented to Council. A follow-up Staff Report with the draft repayment by-laws is scheduled to be taken to Committee of the Whole on Monday, March 17.
Staff have finalized a date for the Public Information Centre (PIC) regarding the capital charges levied to benefitting properties on Drake's Path, Birch View Trail and Price's Development. This PIC will be held virtually on Thursday, March 6, 2025 beginning at 2:00 p.m. to present an overview of the proposed payment options. The meeting will include a public comment and question period. All those interested in the project are invited to attend. Pre-registration is required.
Prior to the enactment of a by-law to impose the capital charges for use of the Town's sanitary sewer system, Council has directed staff to schedule a Public Information Centre to provide additional information to benefitting property owners. The Public Information Centre is expected to be held in Q1 of 2025. Details will be released and benefitting property owners will be notified once the date has been finalized.
A letter detailing the capital sewer charges associated with the wastewater service extension for Birch View Trail was mailed to all property owners. Staff will present a report and draft by-law to Council at the Committee of the Whole meeting on December 9, 2024.
With the passing of the 2023 Town Budget, construction of Phase 2 of the Tyrolean Village Watermain Replacement and Wastewater Servicing project has been postponed indefinitely. The Town will be completing the detailed engineering process for the area, but the project will not be tendered for construction until more details are known regarding the outstanding planning and development aspects of the project area.
Phase 1 construction of the project was completed in November of last year, and is currently in the warranty phase. The Town has completed the detailed engineering of Phase 2 which includes portions of Tyrolean Lane, Kandahar Lane and Arlberg Crescent. However, tendering for construction of Phase 2 has been postponed until further notice. Town Council will be reviewing the direction for Phase 2 construction through the 2023 Town Budget process. The public can participate in the budget process through a series of special meetings from February 1-6, 2023.
The Town expects the Project Engineer to issue the notice of Substantial Performance within the next week. This means the construction contract requirements have been fulfilled, and property owners will be able to connect to the new sewer.
A letter will be mailed to property owners with more information regarding connecting to the new sanitary sewer line. A copy of this letter has also been linked below for reference.
Water service will be interrupted to all residents on Birch View Trail north of Arlberg Crescent, and on Arlberg Crescent east of Birch View Trail at points throughout the week to allow SMRS Construction to complete the watermain tie-in process.
Residents should prepare by storing potable water and filling bathtubs as necessary to allow for flushing of toilets.
SMRS Construction is planning to excavate at the intersection of Arlberg Crescent and Birch View Trail on Wednesday, October 5 and Thursday, October 6 in order to connect to the existing sanitary sewer and watermain installation. Access to Birch View Trail will be limited throughout the day and delays are expected. SMRS Construction will restore the road and access at the end of each day. Residents on Arlberg Crescent are asked to avoid the primary construction zone by using Kellie's Way and Brooker Boulevard to access their properties.
Over the last two weeks, SMRS Construction has completed select tree clearing and begun installation of the new sanitary forcemain. Upcoming work includes completing the forcemain installation and commencing with the gravity sewer and watermain installation.
SMRS Construction plans to begin mobilization the week of August 29. This will include installation of tree protection, and transfer and staging of materials at the site. Construction is scheduled to begin the week of September 5.
SMRS Construction has provided the Town with their schedule and plans to mobilize to the site the week of September 5, 2022. Initial work will include the installation of signage, silt fencing and tree protection.
The Town has issued the Construction Notice for the Birch View Trail Watermain Replacement and Wastewater Servicing. Construction is anticipated to begin in early August 2022. Property owners will be receiving additional mailed notice.
Staff Report CSOPS.22.040 was presented to Committee of the Whole for their information and to direct staff to proceed with construction of Phase One Birch View Trail watermain replacement and wastewater extension. The report provides an overview of the construction tender costs in relation to the Town's Affordability Policy, a summary of property owner support to proceed with construction at the tendered costs, and a motion for Council to direct staff to proceed to construction.
The Committee of the Whole voted in favour, and the motion minutes are scheduled to be adopted by Town Council at the June 6, 2022 Council Meeting. More details regarding the construction timeline and impacts will be sent to residents closer to the beginning of construction.
A letter will be mailed to benefitting property owners within the boundaries of Phase 1 of the Tyrolean Village Watermain Replacement and Wastewater Servicing Project. Owners are asked to review this letter carefully as it provides details on the costs of repayment for the wastewater extension portion of the project. Bids for construction have been received, and the annual household cost of repayment is between 5-10% of the median after-tax single household income. In this situation, the Town's Affordability Policy requires owners to provide feedback on whether or not they support the project moving to construction at the tendered costs.
All feedback must be submitted by Sunday, May 15, 2022. This feedback will be attached to Staff Report CSOPS.22.040 which will be presented to Committee of the Whole on May 31, 2022 for consideration.
A Staff Report was presented to Town Council on April 12, 2022 as a follow-up to the report presented to Committee of the Whole on March 29, 2022. Council accepted the report and directed staff to proceed with splitting the project into two phases of construction – as outlined in the March 29, 2022 report, and tendering the first phase for construction. Residents in the project area will receive a direct letter from the Town in the coming weeks informing them of these changes.
If the annual household cost of extending services on Birch View Trail is greater than the 5% threshold outlined in the Town’s Affordability Policy, staff will provide a further report outlining the tendered costs prior to awarding the construction contract.
A Staff Report was presented to Committee of the Whole with a summary of findings from the Public Information Centre held on December 2, 2021.
The report requested Council to direct staff to split the project into two phases of construction. Phase One consisting of Birch View Trail Watermain Replacement and Wastewater Servicing Extension to be constructed in 2022, and Phase Two consisting of Tyrolean Lane Watermain Replacement and Wastewater Servicing Extension to be constructed in 2023.
Committee of the Whole accepted the report, and directed staff to provide a supplementary report directly to the April 11, 2022 Town Council Meeting that provides clear direction on the number of Equivalent Residential Units (ERU) in all existing properties and any for which a planning application has been received, an outline of the impact future Development Charges may have on affordability, estimates of the increased costs of doing the project in two phases, and on the ability to adjust the Local Improvement Charge retroactively.
WT Infrastructure will be placing wooden stake(s) on the frontage of each property within the project area on December 9-10, 2021 to indicate the proposed location of each property's new water and sanitary services.
If residents have any concerns with the proposed service locations they can contact WT Infrastructure at 519-400-6701 or info@wtinfrastructure.ca.
Additionally, WT Infrastructure requires all property owners to provide more information about the location of their existing septic tank and well in relation to their homes.
Please download and complete the Owner-Requested Service Location Form linked below. Completed forms can be sent to icpc@thebluemountains.ca.
Owner-Requested Service Location Form
A virtual Public Information Centre has been scheduled for Thursday, December 2, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Registration is now available.
A letter was distributed to residents informing them of upcoming construction activity on Birch View Trail, north of Arlberg Crescent.
A virtual Public Information Centre has been scheduled for May 6, 2021 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
SMC Geomatics will be working on topographic surveys March 25-31, 2021 from 9am to 5pm daily in the following locations:
Kandahar Lane: Arlberg Crescent to Tyrolean Lane
Tyrolean Lane: Arlberg Crescent to Kandahar Lane
A letter was distributed to residents letting them know about the background of the project and what work would be completed.
Staff Report OPS.25.020 was presented to Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, May 20. The report includes an overview of the project and background, and requests Council direction to include the project in the Town's 2028 Capital Budget for consideration. The report also requests that Council direct staff to evaluate the integration of wastewater servicing, watermain replacement and urbanization work for Tyrolean Lane and Kandahar Lane as a consolidated project delivery approach. Committee voted in favour of the staff recommendations, and this motion was adopted by Council at its meeting on Monday, June 2.
Presentation of the report begins at the 43:20 mark of the Committee meeting recording.
Staff Report CSOPS.22.040 was presented to Committee of the Whole on May 31, 2022. The report outlined the tendered costs and affordability for construction of Phase 1 of the project, and included a summary of the comments received from benefitting property owners regarding the costs. Committee voted to direct staff to proceed with the construction of Phase 1 on Birch View Trail.
Presentation of the report begins at the 1:44:00 mark of the meeting recording.
Staff Report CSOPS.22.009 was presented to Committee of the Whole on March 29, 2022. The report included a summary of findings from the Public Information Centre held on December 2, 2021, and requested Council direction to split the project into two phases of construction. Committee accepted the report, and directed staff to provide a supplementary report directly to the April 11, 2022 Council Meeting that provides clear direction on the number of Equivalent Residential Units (ERU) in all existing properties and any for which a planning application has been received, an outline of the impact future Development Charges may have on affordability, estimates of the increased costs of doing the project in two phases, and on the ability to adjust the Local Improvement Charge retroactively.
Presentation of the report begins at 3:59:40 mark of the Committee meeting recording.
View Committee Meeting Recording
Staff Report CSOPS.22.042 was presented to Council on April 12, 2022. The report included the information requested by Committee of the Whole at their meeting on March 29. Council accepted the report and directed staff to proceed with splitting the project into two phases of construction – as outlined in the March 29, 2022 report, and tendering the first phase for construction.
Presentation of the report begins at the 6:00:45 mark of the Council meeting recording.
Staff Report CSOPS.21.041 was included on the Consent Agenda of the Committee of the Whole meeting on June 15, 2021. The report included an overview of the Public Information Centre held on May 6, 2021, and a summary of the comments, questions and concerns heard from the public. Committee received the report for information purposes.
This Public Information Centre is being held to provide more information to benefitting properties about the proposed payment plan options for the wastewater servicing capital charges.
| Q1 2023 | Project Scope: Within scope Notes: Project has been placed on indefinite hold pending answers to the unresolved planning and development aspects within the project area. |
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| Q4 2022 | Project Scope: Within scope Notes: Phase 1 construction is complete and has entered the warranty period. |
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| Q3 2022 | Project Scope: Within scope Project Schedule: On revised schedule Project Budget: Within budget |
| Q2 2022 | Project Scope: Within scope Project Schedule: On revised schedule Project Budget: Within budget |
| Q1 2022 | Project Scope: Within scope Notes: Construction schedule has been adjusted in accordance with project phasing. |
Due to unknown factors regarding potential future developments on Tyrolean Lane as of April 2022, the project was split into two phases. The total wastewater servicing cost for Phase 1, including engineering services, is $902,168.86. The Town has determined there to be a total of 25 equivalent residential units within this phase, which puts the cost per equivalent unit at $31,109.27. Each equivalent unit is subject to an additional capital charge of $5,322, for a total of $36,431.27 per equivalent unit. This cost will be levied back to the property owners over a 25-year term at the current cost of borrowing when the repayment by-law is enacted. Previous estimates had the cost of borrowing at 4.40%, which was the Town's interest rate when the work was approved in consideration of the Affordability Policy.
Costs to residents within the boundaries of Phase 2 of the project will not be known until that work has been tendered for construction. To be notified of future project updates, please subscribe to the project email list using the link on this page.
Once the project is complete and the full warranty period has passed, the Town's Finance Department will send a report and by-law to Council which will include financing options. Please note that Council needs to approve any financing options before they can be offered. The homeowner can pay off the outstanding balance in full at any time to avoid future interest payments. If the property transfers ownership, the full loan is due with that transfer from the current homeowner.
Property owners will be notified in writing when they are able to connect to the new sewer. Prior to connecting, owners are required to obtain a Site Servicing Permit from the Town’s Building Department. This permit allows for the sewer connection and the septic decommissioning. Once the owner has obtained this permit, they may contact a contractor to complete your connection. The Town does not maintain or provide a list of qualified contractors for this type of work. Prior to connection, the contractor must contact Ontario 1 Call to obtain locates for the property. Ontario 1 Call can be contacted at 1-800-400-2255 or on the web at https://www.ontarioonecall.ca/
For more information, please contact:
Town of The Blue Mountains
Building Department
(519) 599-3131 ext. 239
Once Substantial Performance has been reached, property owners will have 11 months to connect to the system before the Town will begin to bill for a bi-monthly Unconnected Sewer Rate fee as defined in the current Water Charges and Sewer Charges By-law.
For more information regarding this fee, please contact:
Town of The Blue Mountains
General Inquiries - Water and Wastewater Billing & Accounts
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