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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWD-62-87 COUNCIL MEETING December 14, 1987 WD-62-87 TOWN OF NEWCASTLE FILE #: REPORT #3 File # Res. # By-Law # PETITION FOR THE EXTENSION OF A WATERMAIN ON REGIONAL ROAD 17 NORTHERLY FROM NEWCASTLE VILLAGE RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended: 1. That the Region of Durham be requested to make provision in its 1988 Budget for the installation of a watermain on Regional Road 17 northerly from the existing watermain (the north limit of the Newcastle Village Urban Area) for a distance of approximately 1,7-20- feet; and, /1226 2. That the Region of Durham Planning Department be requested to re-evaluate the Town's application for an amendment to the Durham Regional official Plan (File 86-13/D) in view of the January 1986 Report of the Ministry of Environment, the lack of an alternative solution for a safe water supply and the issue of public health and welfare. M Page 2 Report WD-62-87 1.0 BACKGROUND 1.1 On January 13, 1986, Council passed the following resolution: "That Report PD-3-86 be received; and, That the Regional Municipality of Durham be requested to amend the Durham Regional Official Plan to permit the extension of an existing watermain located on Regional Road No. 17, Town of Newcastle, as requested by a petition of the residents; and, That the attached proposed Official Plan Amendment be forwarded to the Region of Durham for their consideration." 1.2 By letter, dated March 25, 1986, the Region advised the Town that at their meeting held on March 4, 1986, the Works Committee decided to take no action on the Town's request to extend the watermain on Regional Road 17. 1.3 On April 14, 1987, the Commissioner of Planning for Durham Region i submitted Report No. 87-79 to Planning Committee. This report made the following recommendations: 1. That the request of the Town of Newcastle to amend the Durham Regional Official Plan, File 86-13/D be denied; and, 2. That a copy of Commissioner's Report No. 87-79 be forwarded to the Council of the Town of Newcastle. . . .3 Page 3 Report WD-62-87 The recommendation was approved by Planning Committee. On April 22, 1987, Council referred the matter back to Planning Committee. 1.4 On December 7, 1987, Council received another petition from Mrs. R. Bonsma to have the watermain extended on Regional Road 17. 2.0 COSTS 2.1 The watermain extension would require 1,620 feet (494m) of watermain and a booster pumping station to provide adequate water pressure for domestic use. 2.2 The estimated cost (April 1987) for the extension and the pumping station is $187,000. 2.3 The owners' share, under the Regional frontage charge policy (April, 1987) would be $35,800. 2.4 The balance of the cost $151,200., would be charged to the Region's user rate. 3.0 PROPERTIES SERVICED 3.1 The watermain extension would provide service for up to thirty existing properties on the west and east sides of Regional Road 17. . . .4 Page 4 Report WD-62-87 4.0 MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT REPORT 4.1 On January 15, 1986, the Town received a copy of a report prepared by Mr. R. Hodgins of the Ministry of the Environment. 4.2 The report deals with a survey which the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Transportation and Communications carried out on seven of the wells on Regional Road 17. 4.3 Mr. Hodgins' report can be summarized as follows: 1. The acquifers into which the wells penetrate have high sodium and nitrate levels; 2. All of the wells sampled have water of a poor quality. The nitrate and chloride levels differ in the various wells but some of the wells are severely contaminated. 3. At the end of his report, Mr. Hodgins makes the following statement: Existing technology in the water treatment field is probably incapable of effectively treating the worst of these well supplies and deeper penetration of the bedrock would likely only result in a further deterioration from the present poor quality. Considering the historical water quantity problems in this area, the only reasonable solution to resolve both the quality and quantity problems would appear to be the extension of the municipal service to include these homes. The municipal service would provide a reliable potable supply and, the benefits derived would definitely outweigh the installation charge. . . .5 Page 5 Report WD-62-87 5.0 CONCLUSIONS 5.1 The wells on Regional Road 17 are contaminated, some severely so. 5.2 Existing technology in the water treatment field is probably incapable of effectively treating the worst of these well supplies. 5.3 Since the acquifers are contaminated, the homeowners cannot solve their problem by drilling new wells. 5.4 The only feasible solution to the problem, in spite of the relatively high costs, is to extend the watermain. 6.0 RECOMMENDATION 6.1 That the Region be requested to make provision in the 1988 Budget for the extension of the watermain on Regional Road 17 from the existing watermain northerly for approximately 1,620 feet. Respectfully submitted, Recommended for presentation to the Committee, Ef, ive Officer.