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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWD-44-83 4 CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT R. DUPUIS, P. ENG., DIRECTOR HAMPTON,ONTARIO TEL.(416)263.2231 LOB 1J0 987-5039 REPORT TO THE GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING OF APRIL 18, 1983. REPORT NO.: WD-44-83 SUBJECT: SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT ON CORRESPONDENCE FROM THE REGION OF DURHAM WITH RESPECT TO STORM AND SANITARY SEWER CROSS-CONNECTIONS IN THE BEAU VALLEY ESTATES SUBDIVISION IN BOWMANVILLE RECOMMENDATION: It is respectfully recommended: 1. That in view of the supplementary information contained in this report, the recommendations presented in Report No. WD-40-83, be adopted, i namely: a) That the Region of Durham be advised that the Town of Newcastle is willing to pay its share of the cost of eliminating storm sewer house connections to the sanitary sewers in the Beau Valley Estates Subdivision in Bowmanville; and, b) That the Region be further advised that the Town will only participate in costs at those houses where there is, in fact, a connection of the storm to the sanitary sewer found, rather than on a blanket 50/50 basis; and, i 2 _ c) That the Region be further advised that the Town will pay fifty percent (50%) of the investigative work leading to the program of eliminating the cross-connecting; and, d) That funds to cover the Town' s share of the cost of correcting the cross-connections (about $10,000) and for the investigative work (about $3,000), for the eleven connections involved, be derived from the Lot Levy Reserve Account. BACKGROUND: Report WD-40-83, attached hereto, presents the background and resultant recommendations on this matter. When last considered by the General Purpose and Administration Committee, certain supplementary information was requested, namely: 1 . When was this subdivision constructed and who was responsible for the inspection of the storm and sanitary connections? 2. Is this approach not inconsistent with that being employed in an area of Oshawa where sanitary sewer flooding presently occurs? 3. What is the Region's position in other municipalities with respect to storm sewer connections to sanitary sewers? . . .3 3 - REPORT: In response to the first question, it must be pointed out that the part of the Beau Valley Subdivision in question was constructed by site plan agreement in 1976, according to the terms of a subdivision agreement dated 1972. This creates potential for confusion in that, between 1972 and 1976, the Region was formed, thereby dividing the responsibilities assigned in the agreement. As far as can be determined, the Region was responsible for the storm and sanitary connections to property line with the Town of Newcastle, through its plumbing inspector, responsible for the connections from property line to the house, and the house plumbing. Until the connections are dug up and exposed, it is not possible to determine where the error was made. With respect to the question of consistency in the Region' s approach to this type of problem, there are certain relevant facts to be considered. The connection of basement drains to sanitary sewers in the problem area of Oshawa occurred several years ago, at which time, under the jurisdiction of the City of Oshawa, it was policy to connect basement drains to sanitary sewers. Accordingly, in Oshawa, the connection of storm house connections to sanitary sewers is a matter of policy. In the Beau Valley Estates subdivision, the connection of storm house connections to the sanitary sewers was an error. It was fully the intention in the engineering of the development to have sanitary connections made to sanitary sewers and storm connections made to storm sewers. . . .4 - 4 - Thus, it can be stated that the Region is not being inconsistent; it is merely a matter of constructing connections in accordance with the policy which existed at the time the development occurred. To explain the position of the Region in respect to the connection of basement drains to sanitary sewer, it must be pointed out that the Region, at present, is operating in the absence of a firm policy. In all area municipalities except the City of Oshawa, basement and foundation drains are not allowed to connect to sanitary sewers unless circumstances leave no alternative. This was established as a practice since those municipalities already had such a policy in place at the time the Region was formed. At the time the Region was formed, Oshawa's policy was to connect basement drains to the sanitary sewer and this has remained in force since then. In view of the problems being experienced in Oshawa, the Region is working towards an "across the Region" policy which will not allow basement connections to sanitary sewers. If these efforts are successful , a consistent policy will apply. Further to the above information, the Town must give strong consideration to the fact that sanitary sewerage is emanating from a Town owned storm outfall , a fact which places some onus on the Town to correct the problem. The Region is willing to work towards correcting this problem if the Town takes the same position. . . .5 5 - One other point worth noting is the fact that where, in the past, it became necessary to correct cross-connections of sanitary to storm sewers in other municipalities, an approach similar to that proposed by the Region for Beau Valley Estates was taken. In consideration of the relevant information, it is recommneded that the recommendations in Report WD-40-83, be adopted. Respectfully submitted, R.G. Dupuis, P. Eng., Director of Public Works. GD:jco ( April 12, 1983.