HomeMy WebLinkAboutPSD-024-15 Claringtoll
Planning Services
Report
If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Municipal
Clerk at 905-623-3379 ext. 2102.
Report To: General Purpose and Administration Committee
Date of Meeting: April 20, 2015
Report Number: PSD-024-15 Resolution: G pora(os-b
File Number: PLN 26.14.1 By-law Number:
Report Subject: Proposal for a Rotosonic Monitoring Site at the
Hydro One, Clarington Transformer Station
Recommendations:
1. That Report PSD-024-15 be received;
2. That Council Resolution # C-172-14 (Attachment 3) granting G360 Group access to
Townline Road for the purpose of a deep borehole and providing a grant of$25,000 to the
University of Guelph be rescinded;
3. That the Municipality of Clarington provide up to $25,000 to fund the joint proposal of
Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority, University of Guelph and McMaster University
(G360 Group) for their proposal "Hydrogeological Assessment of the South Slope of the
Oak Ridges Moraine" dated April 2, 2015 (Attachment 1);
4. That the project be funded with a transfer from the 2013 Donations Account to the
Consulting Reserve;
5. That Hydro One be requested to provide site access for the additional rotosonic borehole
and long term monitoring activities as outlined in the proposal in Attachment 1; and
6. That all interested parties listed in Report PSD-024-15 and any delegations be advised of
Council's decision.
Municipality of Clarington
Report PSD-024-15 Page 2
Report Overview
In September, 2014, Council approved the road use agreement with Hydro One for the
Clarington Transformer Station contingent on the drilling of a deep monitoring well. The drilling
was completed in December 2014 at the expense of Hydro One, with researchers from G360
Group at the University of Guelph working cooperatively on-site to obtain the necessary
samples and logging for scientific research. G360 Group is proposing to proceed with the
second phase of the project which is the installation of a rotosonic monitoring well at the same
location. It is recommended in this report that since Hydro One has completed the deep
borehole the funds originally set aside for it be utilized for this additional work.
1 . Background
1.1 Clarington Council and staff have been very involved with the proposed Clarington Hydro
Transformer since March of 2012 including public information meetings, the
Environmental Study Report review, and numerous discussions. The Minister of
Environment approved the project in January of 2014.
1.2 To address ongoing concerns from community members and residents, Hydro One
proposed to Clarington to fund a peer review of their Surface and Groundwater
monitoring program. Council accepted this offer at their meeting of June 16, 2014 by
Resolution C-267-14. The peer review consultant, Mr. Steven Usher of SLR Consulting
(Canada) Ltd. was retained in accordance with the Purchasing By-law and has been
working with the residents, staff and Hydro One consultants since October.
1.3 Another major development has been the deep monitoring well required by the road use
agreement which was drilled to bedrock (beyond the Thorncliffe Aquifer) in December
2014. The hydrogeologists (CLOCA, G360 Group, Stantec, SLR) jointly agreed that the
MW-15 site on Hydro One property was the most relevant location for this borehole and
monitoring well. The MW5-14 site already has monitors at 4 metres, 7 metres and 40
metres; the deep borehole monitor at 112 metres and another monitor at 52 metres were
a result of drilling the deep borehole. This provides multi-level monitoring (or a nested
cluster of boreholes and monitors).
2. What has been learned from the Deep Borehole
2.1 The December 2014 drilling program involved drilling and coring a borehole to and into
the shale bedrock. A continuous core of the sediment column was obtained from ground
surface to approximately 2 m into the bedrock for a total depth of 129.5 m. Borehole
gamma logging was conducted at this location to characterize the soils to a depth of
approximately 52 m. The field investigative team were on site daily during drilling to log
and sample the core and provide drill crew oversight. Hydro One on-site staff provided
assistance and logistical support.
Municipality of Clarington
Report PSD-024-15 Page 3
Figure 1 — Monitoring Wells on Hydro One Clarington Transformer Site
l
C
alai
e
I�. SC. ,1
\�4 1 Ln
1� \
s i
Municipality of Clarington
Report PSD-024-15 Page 4
2.2. Drilling of the deep borehole confirmed the absence of a shallow sand lens at location
MW5-14 which to the east hosts local wells. It also showed that the dense aquitard soils
extended down some 76 m to the Thorncliffe Aquifer where several local wells draw their
water. An intermediate layer of sand was however found in the aquitard at 52 m, and is
consistent with the depths of a second grouping of local wells. A groundwater monitoring
well was placed in this layer. The borehole was extended into bedrock, found (as
predicted by CAMC-YPDT) at about 129.5 m depth.
Figure 2: Site Conceptual Geologic Model
'
��,YV4I4 i
- Z
' s • _ ^ ,�y
tog
iptNNi
A'1ACKINAW(?)
EIP HALE NEWMARKET
D nu
tpCm —
TN0DU�ERE ?-
SCARBOROUGH AQUIf PR
SHALE.LIMESTONE -
r _------
Includes deep hole information, Jan. 2015
global environmental solutions SLR"O
2.3 Five 2-inch diameter piezometers have been installed. Hydro One has incorporated four
of the five piezometers (A to D) into their site monitoring program (2015-2019) that will
include measuring water levels and groundwater quality analyses. The deep piezometer
(E) is not part of the currently proposed Hydro One monitoring program. It is the
hydrogeologists recommendation that these five piezometers be monitored in conjunction
with each other to ensure a consistent and useful dataset. Ideally the deep piezometer
(E) should be incorporated into the Hydro One monitoring program or another party
identified to monitor this piezometer. Given the positive interactive situation between all
parties that was established during the December 2014 field investigations, a suitable
arrangement can be established whereby all five piezometers at MW5-14 can be
cooperatively monitored.
Municipality of Clarington
Report PSD-024-15 Page 5
FIGURE 3: Characterization of the site from Deep Borehole
HydroOne Clarington: MWS-14
Geology 2" PVC piezometers Formation
Estimated Actual A B (s) C (1) D E (DRAFT)
Weathered_ -----
-2
-5 ------- _Drm-wsand b ds--- ----__ ----- --------------------------- -2
2
Halton Till
(HT) Dm
-15 - -42
-62
-25 -- _.. - -82
-102
-35 - -
-122
Lower
-45 -142
Newmarket
Till(LNt) -162
---- -I
-55 177'-Diam ict(Dm)-w beds of fsa&d -182
-202 7
-222 r
o �
-75 - _ - - _ - - -242 0
-------- ---------------------------------------------------------- ----------------
250'-Sand(f,m,c)&si cl layers
Thorncliffe (0.2'to 2.5'thick) -262
-85 Fm.(TF)
280'-Sand(f,m,c)-layered � -282
-302
-95
�- -322
330'-Sand(f gr)with Silt
-105 __ . _ -342
-------------35--1-'-- --- --
---------------------------------------------Dm ----------------
-------- ---------- ------- --- ----- -------------- ----- - -- -362
-115 -367M,
-- - - - -
Sunnybrook -382
Drift(Su) j
Scarborough -402
-125 Fm.(ScJ
419.2'to 425'-Shale -422
-135 -442
Municipality of Clarington
Report PSD-024-15 Page 6
3. Rotosonic Proposal
3.1 G360 Group from the University of Guelph and other participating hydrogeologists are
proposing to add a multilevel monitoring well installed in a borehole drilled by rotosonic
methods at MW-15. It would have state of art multi-level monitoring equipment. It would
be drilled using a different methodology than the deep borehole providing additional
scientific data (Attachment 1).
3.2 Hydro One is willing to entertain the proposal for the rotosonic borehole and multilevel
installation (Attachment 1). Central Lake Ontario Conservation is willing to sign a
Memorandum of Understanding for this well and monitoring of the deep piezometer (E)
for the longer term (beyond 2019). The Conservation Authority have indicated that they
would be willing to provide for the long term care, maintenance, monitoring and
decommissioning of the multilevel rotosonic well providing that funding is made available
for these future tasks (Attachment 2). The proposal is to maintain these piezometers for
the long term so that as much scientific data as possible is obtained.
4. Council Direction
4.1 Council at its meeting of April 28, 2014 passed Resolution #C-172-14 (Attachment 3)
which granted the University of Guelph G360 Group permission to access a portion of
Townline Road for the purpose of undertaking an independent long term groundwater
monitoring assessment in the vicinity of the proposed Clarington Transformer Station in
accordance with their proposal dated April 27, 2014.
4.2 The proposal outlined two phases. The first was a deep borehole/monitoring well, drilled
to at least the depth of the Thorncliffe Aquifer; the second phase was for a rotosonically
installed multi-level monitoring well. The first phase of this proposal has been addressed
by Resolution #C-336-14 (Attachment 4) which granted Hydro One permission to
exclusively use and improve Townline Road to enter the site providing that they drill a
deep monitoring well to at least the Thorncliffe Aquifer.
4.3 Council approved #C-267-14 accepting the offer from Hydro One to fund a peer review
consultant to assist Staff and the community in reviewing and understanding the
hydrogeological information regarding the site. Council received a presentation from Mr.
Usher, the peer review consultant on December 15, 2014; which included an explanation
of the conceptual model (Figure 2) of how ground water flows through and below the site.
4.4 Council has requested funding and other in-kind support from the Region of Durham, City
of Oshawa, the Trent Conservation Coalition Source Protection Committee and the Credit
Valley, Toronto and Region and Central Lake Ontario Source Protection Committee for
the development of the monitoring wells and ongoing monitoring and maintenance. To
date responses while supportive of the concept have not provided additional funding.
Municipality of Clarington
Report PSD-024-15 Page 7
5. Monitoring and Maintenance
5.1. Deep Monitoring Well
The deep monitoring well cluster (5 boreholes at various depths) is located at MW5-14 on
the Hydro One site. The Ground and Surface Water Monitoring Program for the site as
approved by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change in June of 2014, includes
the requirement to monitor ground and surface water for the duration of the construction
and at least two years after the completion (estimated as five years duration from
approval in January of 2014 to 2019).
When Hydro One completes the monitoring program as required by the Ministry they
typically decommission all of the monitoring wells on site by removing the monitoring
equipment, backfilling and sealing the boreholes. In the case of the deep cluster it is the
desire of the Oak Ridges Moraine Hydrology Program (YPDT-CAMC) [a coalition of York,
Peel, Durham and Toronto Conservation Authorities and Regional Governments] to
maintain the cluster for long term scientific research and knowledge.
The decommissioning of the deep cluster of boreholes will be the responsibility of Hydro
One as the property owner; it is a requirement under Regulation 903 of the Ontario Water
Resources Act. Arrangements to address this requirement can be articulated in the
Memorandum of Understanding.
5.2. Rotosonic Borehole
The proposal (Attachment 1) is to locate the rotosonic borehole at MW5-14 on the Hydro
One site. Hydro One will have to review the proposal and ensure that it meets their
requirements and can be accommodated within the schedule and construction works that
will be occurring in close proximity to MW5-14. The proposal attempts to address the
numerous issues that would affect this decision, from how the contractor will be retained
and paid to Worker's Compensation for the researchers.
5.3. Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance
A Memorandum of Understanding with regard to the long term monitoring and
maintenance will have to be entered into with Hydro One to retain the cluster. Central
Lake Ontario Conservation has agreed to enter into the Memorandum of Understanding
to maintain and monitor this well cluster. The Conservation Authority supports YPDT-
CAMC, who in turn obtain their funding through the regional governments.
The researchers from G360 Group and the staff of YPDT-CAMC will have to work with
and meet Hydro One's requirements to access the site. The requirements will be outlined
in the Memorandum of Understanding.
6. Concurrence
Not applicable.
Municipality of Clarington
Report PSD-02415 Page 8
7. Conclusion
Requiring Hydro One to drill the deep hole has provided an opportunity to better
understand water resource management for the eastern portion of the Oak Ridges
Moraine. This new proposal provides the opportunity to reallocate the funds for Phase 1 to
work contemplated in Phase 2 of the original proposal and for longer term hydrogeological
research. As stated by Steve Holysh and Dr. Gerber in their letter:
"While much water related information exists across the Oak Ridges Moraine, the
quality is quite variable. The presence of state-of-the-art, groundwater monitoring
infrastructure is largely non-existent. The Hydro One Clarington transformer station
site contains a large thickness of glacial till deposits that protect both shallow and deep
aquifer systems. The proposed[rotosonic hole and]monitoring will provide valuable
information regarding groundwater flow through these till deposits that can be applied
across much of south-central Ontario...
The proposal to Hydro One...seeks to install high quality groundwater monitoring
infrastructure at a location on the Moraine (Clarington). Monitoring at the site would
generate research-level hydrogeological information and knowledge ultimately leading
to a better understanding of aquifer(water supply) vulnerability. This site will fill a large
gap relating to the paucity of information relating to how groundwater flows through till
deposits associated with the Moraine..."
8. Strategic Plan Application
Not applicable.
Submitted by: Reviewed by: �'%`
Davi . Crome, MCIP, RPP Franklin Wu,
Director of Planning Services Chief Administrative Officer
Staff Contact: Faye Langmaid, Manager of Special Projects, 905-623-3379 ext. 2407 or
flangmaid(Dclarington.net
Attachments:
Attachment 1 — Proposal dated April 2, 2015 from Group 360
Attachment 2 - CLOCA letter dated April 7, 2015
Attachment 3 — Council Resolution #C-172-14
Attachment 4 — Council Resolution #C-336-14
The following is a list of the interested parties to be notified of Council's decision:
Brad Bowness, Hydro One
Clint Cole, Enniskillen Environmental Association
Drs. John Cherry and Beth Parker, Group 360, University of Guelph
Gayle, Soo-Chan, CLOCA
Dr. Rick Gerber, YPDT-CAMC
Steven Usher, SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd
DJC/FL/sn
Attachment I to
Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-024-15
Hydrogeological Assessment of the South
Slope of the Oak Ridges Moraine, Clarington,
Ontario
(Hydro One Clarington Transformer Station - MW5-14)
Proposal
April 02.. 2015
Study Team
University of Guelph, G360
Beth Parker, PhD -Director, G360 Centre for Applied Groundwater Research
John Cherry, PhD, P.Eng -Associate Director-, G360 Centre for Applied Groundwater
Research;
- Directar, University Consortium for Field-Focused
Groundwater Contaminabco Research
Emnianuelle Arnaud, PhD
Jana Lpvison, PhD, EIT
Tara Harvey, Graduate Student
McMaster University
Jarr s Smith, PhD
Sidney DLtqqan, Graduate Student
K&;'Alhellan, Graduate Student
Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority
Richard Gerber.. Phil), P..Geo. (Oak Ridges Moraine CTound.'water Program 'PDT-CAMC)
Proposal: Detailed Hydrogeological Assessment, Oak Ridges Moraine, Clarington, Ontario
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................ 3
1.1 Background...................................................................................................................3
1.2 Current Status...............................................................................................................5
1.3 Proposed Long-Term Monitoring ..................................................................................8
1.4 Next Steps.....................................................................................................................8
2. TASKS, METHODOLOGY & REPORTING................................. 10
2.1 Infrastructure: Rotosonic and modular multi-level system........................................... 10
2.2 Site Access ................................................................................................................. 11
2.3 Reporting Structure..................................................................................................... 12
3. DELIVERABLES.......................................................................... 12
3.1 Short-Term—Years 1-5 .............................................................................................. 12
3.2 Long-Term Monitoring (after 5 years; >2019) ............................................................. 13
4. FINANCIAL, LEGAL & SCHEDULE............................................ 13
5. SUMMARY................................................................................... 14
6. REFERENCES............................................................................. 16
APPENDIX A: Rotosonic Borehole Quote.................................... 17
APPENDIX B: Reference Letters................................................... 18
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Hydro One Clarington Transformer station location with approximate project area
shown as black line (Image: Google Earth).................................................................3
Figure 2: Project site plan (Figure from Stantec, 2014). .........................................................6
Figure 3: Piezometers installed at Hydro One Clarington transformer station Site MW5-14. .7
Figure 4: Proposed interaction and information/data sharing structure. ............................... 12
April 02, 2015 Hydro One monitoring site MW5-14 Page 2 of 18
Proposal: Detailed Hydrogeological Assessment, Oak Ridges Moraine, Clarington, Ontario
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
Hydro One Networks Inc. is constructing a transformer station located in the Municipality of
Clarington (Figure 1). This project was approved by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment
and Climate Change (MOECC) following a Class Environmental Assessment (EA) on
January 2nd, 2014 subject to six conditions. Two conditions relative to this proposal include
the preparation and implementation of a Surface Water and Groundwater Monitoring Plan
and the establishment of a Community Liaison Committee (CLC) to disseminate and
exchange information between Hydro One and members of the public. The CLC first met on
June 5, 2014 and is expected to meet through the detailed design and construction phases
of the project. In 2014, Clarington, using funds provided by Hydro One, hired a
hydrogeological consultant (Steven Usher, SLR Consulting Inc.) to assist with its' review,
planning and administrative duties and to provide interpretive support to Council, their
constituents and staff in the understanding of technical matters associated with pre and post
development conditions at the site. Hydro One's monitoring requirements and CLC duties
must extend through 2015 to 2019 as a condition of the EA approval. An opportunity exists
for all parties to make use of the detailed information at this site in the Oak Ridges Moraine
(ORM) planning area to better understand the flow systems associated with the Moraine.
N\
• �\ •� '. tip '
? 4i
0 0 B 0
1` J3
7
�r.
1
Figure 1: Hydro One Clarington Transformer station location with approximate project area
shown as black line (Image: Google Earth).
April 02, 2015 Hydro One monitoring site MW5-14 Page 3 of 18
Proposal: Detailed Hydrogeological Assessment, Oak Ridges Moraine, Clarington, Ontario
The proposed construction of the Hydro One Clarington Transformer Station has and
continues to experience controversy. A group of local home owners known as the
Enniskillen Environmental Association (EEA) have historically expressed and still have
concerns relating to the project and the safety of the local water resources. Researchers
from the University of Guelph (UofG; Beth Parker, Jana Levison and John Cherry) have
provided comments (Cherry et al., 2013) on behalf of the EEA during and subsequent to the
Environmental Assessment process. The Regional Municipality of Durham and the Central
Lake Ontario Conservation Authority have also provided review and comment throughout
the Environmental Assessment process.
The YPDT-CAMC groundwater initiative commenced in 2001 to provide assistance to four
Municipalities and their nine Conservation Authority partners with tools and products to
better understand and manage their groundwater resources. Among other things, the team
of hydrogeological experts developed a shared populated hydrological database, a
geological model, and several numerical models. This work has served the agencies in their
business needs and supported major aquifer monitoring decisions. Dr. Rick Gerber is a
member of the YPDT-CAMC team.
Many gaps exist in the technical coverage of the ORM area and it is important to
progressively close these gaps to strengthen the overall understanding. Over the last
decade, UofG researchers and the YPDT-CAMC team have had informal discussions
regarding groundwater monitoring infrastructure and possible future collaboration to begin
filling these gaps, largely facilitated through their shared interest in aquitard hydrogeology.
Aquitards are lower permeability deposits such as clay or dense till (deposited by glaciers)
soil units but also extending to rock units (e.g. shale, limestone). While monitoring exists for
the majority of major aquifers in the Province, there is limited monitoring of these lower
permeability aquitards which are considered contaminant barriers to many of the municipally
utilized confined aquifer systems. Understanding the efficacy of these barriers is key to
adequately assessing vulnerability of deeper municipal drinking water supplies.
Collaborative efforts discussed included upgrading the quality of groundwater monitoring
infrastructure for regional investigations associated with the Oak Ridges Moraine.
Over the last year, Dr. John Cherry has had discussions with the EEA and Municipality of
Clarington regarding the need for enhanced site characterization and groundwater
monitoring relative to the transformer station and also related to the protection and
understanding of the Oak Ridges Moraine in general. Following the EA approval of the
Hydro One project by the MOECC (January 2014), UofG approached the YDPT-CAMC team
(Rick Gerber)to possibly collaborate on establishing a high-quality monitoring site in the
Clarington area. Given the high cost of installing such infrastructure as well as the local
concerns, it was decided that if the opportunity to collect high-quality hydrogeological
information (long-term) proved to be feasible then this possibility should be explored. Such
information is deemed to be useful to both local undertakings and also to the regional
analysis of the Oak Ridges Moraine being conducted by the Oak Ridges Moraine
Groundwater Program.
On October 2, 2014 the Municipality of Clarington provided road allowance access to Hydro
One to construct a road into their Clarington Transformer site. Part of the road easement
agreement included a condition that Hydro One amend the site groundwater monitoring
program to include deep drilling to collect geologic information along with the installation of a
deep monitoring well, and that Drs. Rick Gerber and John Cherry be invited to participate.
The information generated is also to be shared with the Municipality of Clarington, CLOCA,
the EEA and the CLC. This deep drilling program was conducted in December 2014 with
further details included in the next section (1.2 Current Status).
April 02, 2015 Hydro One monitoring site MW5-14 Page 4 of 18
Proposal: Detailed Hydrogeological Assessment, Oak Ridges Moraine, Clarington, Ontario
This proposal relates to leveraging the effort and cost that has already been expended by
Hydro One for water resource investigations at the site. The aim of the proposed work is to
enhance and maintain long-term (following Hydro One monitoring EA obligations) the
existing groundwater monitoring infrastructure that has been installed at site MW5-14. The
proposal outlines the components deemed necessary to turn this location into a high-quality,
long-term groundwater monitoring location. The two main components relate to:
• Drilling a cored borehole by the Rotosonic method for the purposes of the installation
of a mutli-level groundwater monitoring device; and
• Obtaining legal access to this location (MW5-14) in perpetuity.
s
1.2 Current Status
Construction of the Clarington Transformer Station is awaiting approval of a Permit To Take
Water(PTTW) application submitted to the MOECC. The existing monitoring network,
including other site investigation locations, is shown on Figure 2. All on-site investigation
boreholes terminated at depths less than 16 m beneath the ground surface (mbgs) with the
exception of site MW5-14 (Figure 3) where a borehole was drilled to 40 mbgs. This location
already had 2 piezometers installed by Hydro One as part of their site Monitoring Plan. This
is the site that was chosen for the deep groundwater exploration program (conducted during
December 2014) as directed in the road easement agreement.
The December 2014 drilling program involved drilling and coring a borehole to and into the
shale bedrock. A continuous core of the sediment column was obtained from ground
surface to approximately 2 m into the bedrock for a total depth of 129.5 m. Borehole gamma
logging was conducted at this location to characterize the soils to a depth of approximately
52 m. The field investigative team included individuals from Stantec Consulting (Brant Gill,
Natalie Spina), SLR Consulting Inc. (Steve Usher), University of Guelph (Emmanuelle
Arnaud, Tara Harvey) McMaster University (Sydney Duggan, Kelly Whelan), and the Oak
Ridges Moraine Groundwater Program (Rick Gerber). Natalie Spina, Emmanuelle Arnaud,
Tara Harvey, Sydney Duggan and Kelly Whelan were on site daily during drilling to log and
sample the core and provide drill crew oversight. Hydro One on-site staff, under the
direction of Jeff Cridland, provided assistance and logistical support.
A summary of the current groundwater monitors installed at MW5-14 is included in Figure 3.
Five 2-inch diameter piezometers have been installed labelled here from shallowest to
deepest as A to E. Hydro One has incorporated four of the five piezometers (A to D) into
their site monitoring program (2015-2019) that will include measuring water levels and
groundwater quality analyses. The deep piezometer(E) is not part of the currently proposed
Hydro One monitoring program. It is our recommendation that these five piezometers be
monitored in conjunction with each other to ensure a consistent and useful dataset. This
situation needs to be rectified as the monitor should not be left idle for the next five years.
Ideally the deep piezometer (E) should be incorporated into the Hydro One monitoring
program or another party identified to monitor this piezometer. Given the positive interactive
situation between all parties that was established for the December 2014 field investigations,
we are hopeful that a suitable arrangement can be established whereby all five piezometers
at MW5-14 can be cooperatively monitored.
April 02, 2015 Hydro One monitoring site MW5-14 Page 5 of 18
Stantec
Legend
BH1212 + Monitoring Well fslo,t—,20131
% N Test Pit(Stantec,20131
...... H2 I # Surface Water Monitoring(Stantec,20131
............
Welland BH11-1' 5 TP3'e14 ® Monitoring Well lEXP,2012)
M I I I
LISH3 Monitoring Well 2012)-
BH9 12 Abandoned
E. Borehole(Insp�-Sol,20121
_I4FDM14 o Borehole(EXP,20121
MD��2 G SH5 Topographic Cwfour(MAMSt)
Project Area
Station Site
r–BA13-12
8H8 12 BH1 MW7-14 Welland
EM 2A 9TP1-14 DdAng Power Feature
r BH7 12 New Inf.0-1w.
OGH713
eOH7A D"70
It I
Ej UH7C %
D P 3-14* Ha MLVJ�3 SH11 %%
EGH6-2
+MW6 lk –5H8
JF:8H5-I 2 r-BHI-12
Notes
BH2�12 IM V.—!I,,
&BH4-12
�ed IIt.1A i�.4,1 ..1-
r__by (..stud H&!.w
-SH3-12 DP� �4y=_Otn.*fAWL13
Cat-gory 3 FITTW
BH9 Hyd
rogaolugK:Assessn.W.nt Report
ringtcn,Ontario
2
Project Site Plan
Figure 2:Project site plan(Figure from Stantec,2014).
Proposal: Detailed Hydrogeological Assessment, Oak Ridges Moraine, Clarington, Ontario
HydroOne Clarington: MW5-14
Geology 2" PVC pezometers Formation
Estimated Actual A B (s) C (i) D E (DRAFT)
-2
Weathered Dm w sand beds
-5 ------------ -------------------------------- -------- ------------------------------
Halton Till
Dm -22
(HT) -42
-15 - - _.. - .............. -- _...
-62
-25 - - - - - ------ ------ - . ---- -- --- __ ------- --------- 82
-102
-122
Lower -142
-45 Newmarket - - .... .....-.. .- --- -- ----------------------- - ------- -- -
Till(LNq �- -162
-------- ------------------------------------- ------- -----
-Sanctjf=mj --'---
5 177-Diam ict(Drri)-w beds o"sa&cl - -182
-202 ao
- ----- - - - - --- -- ------- -- -
a - -222 t
-242 in
-------- - ---------------- -- ----- ----------------------------- --------------
250'-Sand(f,m,c) si cl layers
Fm.(TF) t Thorncliffe (0.2'to 2.5'thick) -262
-85 - - - - - - - - -
jL
280'-Sand (f,m -282,c}-layered
T -302
-95 - - - -- - - -
- -322
330'-Sand(f gr)with Silt
-105 - - ...-. - -342
-------- ----------------------------------------------------------
351'-Dm ----------------
---- --- - -------------- ------ --------- --- ------ ---- ------
-362
-115 367.4'
Sunnybrook -- _ _ - ._.__.- - -382
Drift(SU) -1,
Scarborough i- -402
-125 Frn.(SC)
LI 419.2'to 425'-Shale - -422
-135 = _._...... _ -- -- -442
---- -
Figure 3:Piezometers installed at Hydro One Clarington transformer station Site MW5-14.
April 02, 2015 Hydro One monitoring site MW5-14 Page 7 of 18
Proposal: Detailed Hydrogeological Assessment, Oak Ridges Moraine, Clarington, Ontario
1.3 Proposed Long-Term Monitoring
The Oak Ridges Moraine Groundwater Program has been opportunistic in establishing
higher-quality groundwater monitoring locations in various hydrogeologic settings within their
study area, which encompasses much of south-central Ontario. Most of these locations are
situated within the western half of the Oak Ridges Moraine (ORM). The Program's
monitoring locations are seen as complimentary to groundwater monitoring being conducted
by municipalities (associated with municipal supply well fields) and ambient groundwater
conditions monitored by the Provincial Groundwater Monitoring Network (PGMN; conducted
by the MOECC and Conservation Authorities). As mentioned previously, this proposal is an
attempt to leverage the effort and cost that has already been expended through Hydro One
investigations at the site, and establish a high-quality, long-term groundwater monitoring
location at MW5-14.
A high quality, long-term groundwater monitoring site in the proposed geologic setting
generally includes the following, some of which has already been accomplished:
a) Continuous core of the sediments above bedrock and confirmation of the bedrock rock
type. This is usually cored using mud rotary techniques because PQ-sized core
generally provides the best quality soil and rock samples and the highest likelihood of
drilling to a greater depth;
b) Installations of monitoring wells and multi-level sampling ports at various depths within
the geologic profile to establish vertical groundwater flow interaction between the
various soil and rock units encountered. This interaction is analysed utilizing water
levels, chemistry and physical testing (e.g. pumping tests). Ideally, at least one of the
monitoring wells should be 2.5" diameter or greater, and installed at or near the bottom
of the deepest borehole, to allow for the largest number of geophysical tools to be
sent down the borehole for geophysical logging; and
c) Access (physical and legal) to the monitoring site in perpetuity to collect
hydrogeological information.
At monitoring site MW5-14, Hydro One has already facilitated and completed the most costly
items outlined in a) and part of b) above. For a relatively small further outlay of effort (and
funds) it is anticipated that a high-quality monitoring facility can be established at MW5-14
that will assist the understanding of the regional groundwater flow system. Information
generated from such a facility is also expected to benefit more site specific investigations
conducted in similar hydrogeologic settings. The proposed further outlay to transform site
MW5-14 (situated on Hydro One property) is described below with any new funding coming
from agencies other than Hydro One.
1.4 Next Steps
The above work has provided a basic framework for understanding the geologic profile at
this site. Five ground water monitors provide spot measurements of conditions at those
intervals. The drilling however identified both thick continuous units of similar properties,
and also considerable lengths of variable conditions. For example the Newmarket Till below
MW5-14-D (Figure 3) is a mixture of diamict, and fine-grained sand lenses, and silt lenses
which are characterized by contrasting geologic and hydraulic properties.
April 02, 2015 Hydro One monitoring site MW5-14 Page 8 of 18
Proposal: Detailed Hydrogeological Assessment, Oak Ridges Moraine, Clarington, Ontario
The next step, proposed here, is to complete the existing infrastructure with detailed
instrumentation capable of long-term groundwater monitoring and designed to examine
these hydrogeological nuances. This is detailed in Section 2, below.
Specifically, the objectives of the proposed long-term groundwater monitoring program are
to:
• Fill existing knowledge and data gaps;
• Comparison of different field methods including groundwater monitoring construction
and exploration methods (e.g. conventional mud rotary coring versus Rotosonic
coring);
• Understand the continuity and integrity of the till deposits (aquitards) to be applied
both locally and regionally;
• These aquitards are the protective layers for aquifers utilized by both private and
municipal well supplies;
• Understand the regional continuity of aquifers for potential future water supply; and
• Validation of the current geological and hydrogeological understanding being applied
to municipal groundwater infrastructure on a regional basis.
April 02, 2015 Hydro One monitoring site MW5-14 Page 9 of 18
Proposal: Detailed Hydrogeological Assessment, Oak Ridges Moraine, Clarington, Ontario
2. TASKS, METHODOLOGY & REPORTING
The proposed tasks for future work at site MW5-14 to transform and complete the existing
infrastructure to a high-quality, long-term groundwater monitoring facility includes:
• Drilling a Rotosonic borehole with associated installation of multiple groundwater
sampling ports within that borehole (Infrastructure); and
• Provision of access by Hydro One to U of Guelph/YPDT-CAMC staff in perpetuity (Site
Access).
2.1 Infrastructure: Rotosonic and modular multi-level system
Complex hydrogeologic settings often exhibit large changes in hydraulic properties and
three-dimensional groundwater flow patterns over short distances. The problem can be
further exacerbated within aquitards (e.g. glacial till) by the presence of fractures and/or
sand seams and the fact that conventional piezometers can take months to years to provide
useful information. Conventional piezometers also contain casing joints which can leak,
further complicating results. The Lower Newmarket till is situated beneath site MW5-14 and
is found throughout much of the ORM study area. This unit controls the flow of groundwater
between the shallow groundwater flow system and the deep groundwater flow system,
thereby acting as the protective layer for the deep aquifers used for private and municipal
water supply. The Lower Newmarket till and other geologic units encountered on site are
characterized as exhibiting subtle yet important changes in hydraulic properties over short
distances. This type of setting requires more detailed monitoring to fully understand the
details of groundwater flow paths.
The proposal is for a Rotosonic borehole to be drilled at MW5-14. This drilling method
vibrates a drill casing to depth while collecting a continuous core sample. The key
characteristic of this drilling method is that a drill fluid is not needed for borehole control or as
a drill bit coolant. This minimizes the possibility of drill fluid subsurface contamination which
can take months to years to remove or naturally dissipate. A modular multi-level system
adapted for high resolution monitoring of hydraulic head and ground water quality will be
installed within the borehole. The system accommodates up to 15 monitoring intervals within
one hole and can be used to monitor overburden and/or bedrock to depths of interest at
MW5-14. Detailed vertical monitoring provides important information on hydraulic head and
groundwater quality distributions that are missed with fewer monitoring intervals. The
monitoring system offers unique advantages where detailed monitoring in heterogeneous
settings is needed to assess and understand groundwater flow and possible contaminant
migration. Even with the availability of core logs prior to installation of multi-level systems,
most of the specific depths at which the highest head differentials occur often cannot be
anticipated from detailed visual inspection of the core, indicating the essential and unique
role of the high-resolution head monitoring (Parker et al., 2006).
Advantages of the proposed Rotosonic drilling method and installation of multi-level
monitoring system include:
• Unified, holistic understanding of the hydrologic system including both aquitards (e.g.
till, silt) and aquifers (e.g. sand). The existing conventional monitors are screened in
aquifers with the exception of monitor MW5-14C;
April 02, 2015 Hydro One monitoring site MW5-14 Page 10 of 18
Proposal: Detailed Hydrogeological Assessment, Oak Ridges Moraine, Clarington, Ontario
• Comprehensive understanding of groundwater hydraulic gradients resulting in an
improved appreciation of vertical flow though the stratigraphic profile and of the
integrity of the till as a protective barrier for deeper aquifer systems;
• Improved understanding of the hydraulic properties of the encountered till units which
will be useful to the ORM Groundwater Program. These data are not achievable from
conventional borehole monitoring;
• Multi-level sample ports are smaller volume than conventional piezometer installations
thereby allowing for quicker response times within aquitards; and
• The Rotosonic drilling method is reported to be fast with uncontaminated samples (no
drill mud) and no downhole sample contamination with the result being that the
integrity of soil and groundwater samples is greatly increased.
One of the research objectives of selecting this location (MW5-14) is that different drilling
methods (PQ mud rotary versus Rotosonic) can be compared including costs, timing of
completion, quality of samples obtained and quality of groundwater monitoring installations
achieved. Another ancillary benefit is the training of students in advanced hydrogeologic
techniques.
A drilling contractor will drill the Rotosonic borehole. The multi-level monitoring system will
be installed in the borehole by the drilling contractor and UoG technicians supervised by
Beth Parker and John Cherry, in collaboration with Rick Gerber. It is understood that the
drilling contract would have to be administered by HydroOne because of Ministry of Labour
and 3rd party liability issues. The logging of the Rotosonic core would be done by UoG and
McMaster University personnel who logged the core from the borehole to bedrock that was
drilled in December 2014.
All on-site work will follow the safety and logistical procedures that were established during
the December 2014 drilling program, led by Hydro One's Jeff Cridland. All potential site
visitors from the University of Guelph, McMaster University and CLOCA (Rick Gerber) are
covered under Worker's Compensation.
2.2 Site Access
The groundwater monitoring infrastructure at MW5-14 consists of 5 conventional 2 inch
diameter PVC piezometers. Hydro One plans on monitoring only 4 of these (A-D) as part of
their EA required monitoring program for the period 2015-2019. It is assumed that Hydro
One plans on decommissioning all 5 piezometers when their monitoring obligations have
been satisfied.
Given that MW5-14 consists of 5 groundwater monitors, all 5 should be actively monitored
including MW5-14E. We (YPDT-CAMC, UofG) require formal permission to access this site
through 2019 to ensure that all 5 monitors are actively monitored if Hydro One is unwilling to
do so.
We request site access permission to install the groundwater monitoring infrastructure
detailed in Section 2.1. The installation of this further groundwater monitoring infrastructure
will upgrade this site to a high-quality groundwater monitoring facility to be utilized for both
regional and local hydrogeologic investigations in the long term.
Given the outlay of funds to install the current monitoring infrastructure and the proposed
outlay of funds to upgrade the facility, it would be a lost opportunity to decommission this site
after Hydro One is finished their monitoring requirements in 2019. We request permission to
April 02, 2015 Hydro One monitoring site MW5-14 Page 11 of 18
Proposal: Detailed Hydrogeological Assessment, Oak Ridges Moraine, Clarington, Ontario
access site MW5-14 in perpetuity to continue collecting valuable groundwater information as
outlined in Section 1.4 above. A legal entity is needed should any of this groundwater
monitoring infrastructure cease to be used at some point in the future and to provide for
maintenance of the piezometers in the long-term. The legal entity is responsible for
decommissioning should this prove to be necessary. Central Lake Ontario Conservation
Authority has agreed to be the legal entity for this proposed long-term, high-quality
groundwater monitoring facility at MW5-14. Further details are provided below.
2.3 Reporting Structure
The proposed reporting structure is summarized in Figure 4. It is anticipated that a
streamlined interaction and reporting protocol will be optimal given the different entities that
are involved including the proposal team, local government and Hydro One.
Proposed Interaction Structure
Long-term groundwater monitoring site MW544
Hydro One (Owner)
C I a ri ngton Tra nsform er Station -;
G ite MIN5-14 i
r
r
r
r
r
r
Designated tiaisIn
r
RickGefbel - _-- w
r
Centra I Lake Ontario Conservation
Authority(CLOCA,Legal Entity)
hol u n i ci pa limy of C I arington
>, UniversityofGuelphG36D En n1 skiIlenEnvironmentaIAssoc.
B.Parker,J.Cherry,E.Arnaud
McMaster Unrwersity
lamesSmith
Rick Gerber 1Fayeiungmaid
Figure 4: Proposed interaction and information/data sharing structure.
3. DELIVERABLES
3.1 Short-Term —Years 1-5
Hydro One is conducting an on-site monitoring program for the approximate period 2015-
2019 to satisfy MOECC requirements. It is preferred that the Hydro One monitoring program
April 02, 2015 Hydro One monitoring site MW5-14 Page 12 of 18
Proposal: Detailed Hydrogeological Assessment, Oak Ridges Moraine, Clarington, Ontario
includes all 5 piezometers at MW5-14. Until this issue is resolved it is unclear what, if
anything, other parties will be asking to complete. It would be prudent for all 5 piezometers
to be monitored for the period 2015-2019. We look forward to further discussion towards
resolving this issue.
3.2 Long-Term Monitoring (after 5 years; >2019)
The long-term monitoring goals at MW5-14 will be to continue the monitoring program
conducted by Hydro One for the period 2015-2019. It is assumed that the ultimate
groundwater monitoring infrastructure at MW5-14 will include the current 5 groundwater
monitors plus multi-level monitoring probes installed within a Rotosonic borehole. It is
anticipated that transducers with dataloggers will be installed in select piezometers collecting
data at regular intervals (hourly), and that manual measurements (monthly) will also be
conducted. Groundwater sampling and analysis will be conducted (annually) along with
physical aquifer/aquitard testing. These data will be shared with the various interested
stakeholders regarding water resources associated with the Oak Ridges Moraine.
Information will be disseminated through publication in University theses, scientific journals,
public lectures and talks at conferences, as well as through the YPDT-CAMC web site
(www.oa kridgeswater.ca).
4. FINANCIAL, LEGAL & SCHEDULE
The following lays the groundwork for the suggested logistics and details. Letters of
Reference outlining pertinent details are included in Appendix B. Subsequent discussions
with all parties, particularly Hydro One, will refine these details.
1) Legal Entity- CLOCA has agreed to be legally responsible for the groundwater
monitoring infrastructure at site MW5-14 subsequent to 2019 for the boreholes that
Hydro One must monitor as a condition of the EA. They will do this as well for the
proposed detailed multi-level monitoring installation in the Rotosonic borehole
immediately upon completion. This also means the arrangement and completion of
the decommissioning of all boreholes at some point in the future (> 2019) should this
become necessary;
a. It is requested that Hydro One transfer decommissioning funds to CLOCA for
the existing borehole cluster(5 piezometers A through E) at site MW5-14.
The anticipated cost is expected to be on the order of$10,000 assuming
$2000.00 per piezometer;
b. CLOCA will also be responsible for the decommissioning of the additional
Rotosonic borehole at some time in the future (this borehole is not under the
EA approval conditions and the construction costs are not being funded by
Hydro One);
c. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be prepared between CLOCA
and Hydro One.
2) RotoSonic Drilling— Rotosonic drilling and multi-level piezometer installation will be
supervised by the University of Guelph. Funding sources and logistics for this
includes:
a. Municipality of Clarington $25,000 -To be transferred to Hydro One to pay for
the preferred Rotosonic driller. A quote from Choice Sonic Drilling is included
as Appendix A;
April 02, 2015 Hydro One monitoring site MW5-14 Page 13 of 18
Proposal: betailed Hydrogeological Assessment, Oak Ridges Moraine, Clarington, Ontario
b. EEA $5,000 to John Cherry—This will be used by UofG to purchase a
Waterloo System multi-level installation to be installed within the Rotosonic
borehole;
c. John Cherry NSERC— Should Rotosonic drilling (2a) cost more than $25,000
then an invoice will be sent by Hydro One to John Cherry to cover the
remainder;
d. John Cherry NSERC—Should the purchase of multi-level piezometers cost
more than $5,000 then John Cherry will pay for the remainder;
e. This task can be completed at any time subject to driller availability. Time is
not expected to lower drilling costs so ideally the sooner the better. Also
given that groundwater trends can take long periods of time to develop (e.g.
decades), a longer monitoring data set is preferable; and
f. University of Guelph and McMaster University researchers will make regular
visits to site to measure water levels, or take groundwater samples, or
conduct hydrogeological testing (under the supervision of YPDT-CAMC staff).
3) Long-term Monitoring(> 2019)—The key components of this task will be site
access from Hydro One which will be outlined in the MOU with the legal entity
(CLOCA) and the existence of a decommissioning fund as outlined in 1 above. Other
items include:
a. YPDT-CAMC staff(employees of CLOCA) will make regular(monthly) visits
to the site to measure water levels, or take groundwater samples, or conduct
hydrogeological testing subject to Hydro One schedules and health and
safety requirements;
b. University of Guelph and McMaster University researchers will make regular
visits to site to measure water levels, or take groundwater samples, or
conduct hydrogeological testing (under the supervision of YPDT-CAMC staff);
c. Annual maintenance costs are estimated at $1000/year. CLOCA will prepare
a capital budget submission for FY 2016 and ongoing to cover these costs.
Alternatively, the Oak Ridges Moraine Groundwater Program (YPDT-CAMC)
program could cover these costs should the partners agree; and
d. Laboratory analysis (e.g. chemistry, isotopes)will be conducted
opportunistically as funding is available.
5. SUMMARY
The following provides a summary of the relative events and requests contained within this
proposal for Hydro One's consideration:
1) Hydro One has established a monitoring network for the Clarington Transformer
station location in response to MOECC project approval requirements. It is
anticipated that this monitoring program will extend through the period 2015 to 2019;
2) Hydro One conducted deep groundwater exploration tasks at site MW5-14 during
December 2014 in response to conditions attached to their road easement
agreement with the Municipality of Clarington. This exploration was conducted in
concert with CLOCA, YPDT-CAMC, University of Guelph, McMaster University,
Municipality of Clarington, and CLC (SLR Consulting) representatives;
3) Monitoring site MW5-14 now contains 5 groundwater monitors (piezometers)
installed at various depths. It is unclear if Hydro One will monitor all 5 of these
monitors for their monitoring period 2015 to 2019;
April 02, 2015 Hydro One monitoring site MW5-14 Page 14 of 18
Proposal: Detailed Hydrogeological Assessment, Oak Ridges Moraine, Clarington, Ontario
4) Given Hydro One's current groundwater related site expenditures at MW5-14 if would
seem prudent to monitor all 5 piezometers at MW5-14 for the 2015-2019 monitoring
period;
5) Permission is requested to augment monitoring capabilities at site MW5-14 by drilling
a Rotosonic borehole and installing the associated multi-level groundwater
monitoring system;
6) We hope to work out a mutually agreeable solution to enable monitoring to occur at
all 5 monitors at MW5-14 plus the installed multi-level monitoring system through the
period 2015 to 2019;
7) From a technical perspective (and to better capitalize on the Hydro One expenditure
to date) it would be preferred that Hydro One permit the continuation of groundwater
monitoring at site MW5-14 post-2019. The alternative would be to decommission this
location in 2019 when Hydro One has fulfilled their MOECC monitoring requirements.
No additional costs would incur to Hydro One as a result of longer term monitoring;
8) Post-2019 we request permission to access the groundwater monitoring facilities at
site MW5-14 in perpetuity with CLOCA acting as the legal entity; and finally
9) No direct cost or funding is requested from Hydro One except for transfer of funds
that would have been spent decommissioning the five MW5-14 piezometers A-E to
CLOCK These funds will be held by CLOCA for decommissioning at a later date
should this be deemed necessary at some point in the future (>2019).
We thank you for your consideration of this proposal and we look forward to a successful
collaboration in establishing a high-quality, long-term groundwater monitoring facility at site
MW5-14. The water resource information generated at this site is anticipated to benefit both
regional and local investigations across south-central Ontario.
Sincerely,
�
\ 'e-
Dr. Beth Parker Dr. John Cherry
University of Guelph, G360 Group University of Guelph, G360 Group
Dr. James Smith
McMaster University
/Ink
Dr. Richard Gerber
Oak Ridges Moraine Groundwater Program (YPDT-CAMC)
416-737-1550
April 02, 2015 Hydro One monitoring site MW5-14 Page 15 of 18
Proposal: Detailed Hydrogeological Assessment, Oak Ridges Moraine,Clarington, Ontario
6. REFERENCES
Cherry, J.A., B. Parker and J. Levison. 2013. Independent Review, Hydrogeological
Concerns for the Clarington Transformer Station Class Environmental Assessment Draft
Environmental Study Report. Prepared for the Enniskillen Environmental Association.
July 31.
Hydro One. 2012. Clarington transformer station class environmental assessment draft
environmental study report. Report Number: 590-CLEA-12-11. Environmental Services
and Approvals, Hydro One Networks Inc. Toronto, Ontario.
Parker, B.L., J.A. Cherry and B.J. Swanson. A multi-level system for high-resolution
monitoring in rotasonic boreholes. Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation, 26(4), 57-
73.
Stantec Consulting Ltd. 2013. Hydrogeologic & hydrologic assessment report Clarington
transformer station, 1609-60745. Prepared for Hydro One Networks Inc., Stantec
Consulting Ltd., Kitchener, Ontario, 102 pp.
Stantec Consulting Ltd. 2014. Pre-Station Construction Groundwater and Surface Water
Baseline Conditions Report, Hydro One— Clarington Transformer Station. November 18,
82pp.
April 02, 2015 Hydro One monitoring site MW5-14 Page 16 of 18
Proposal: Detailed Hydrogeological Assessment, Oak Ridges Moraine,Clarington, Ontario
APPENDIX A: Rotosonic Borehole Quote
April 02, 2015 Hydro One monitoring site MW5-14 Page 17 of 18
i
� HOtCE
THE ONLY IN SONIC DRILLING Project SONICGRILLINGLTD
Proposal,
Choice Sonic Drilling Ltd. Quote No: 171
72 Main st, Mount Albert Customer Name: John Cheery
Ont, LOG 1 MO Client Contact:
Tel:647-527-3745 Project No 0: Concession 7&8
choicesonicdrilling.com Contract Name:
Scope of work
Drilling one BH's to approximately 200 feet, it will be turned into a multi level piezometer upon BH's final depth. All BH's will be drilled using
Sonic technology and will produce a continuous core sample of 4.5"to depth of hole. All wells will be to MOE specifications. Materials would be
supplied by client.
Start date from: 01-Sep-14 Finish date to: 01-Oct-14
DESCRIPTION UOM QUANTITY RATE EXTENDED RATE
Mob/Demob to site I I
Perdiem for crew I
Hourly rate for Sonic Rig, Box truck I
Tooling Charge 4"x 6"Drilling1
8"override tooling charge if needed I
Water delivery to site with rental of water cubes I
Decommission of BH"s routed to surface I
Flush well protector or stick up well protectors I
Total 1 18,140.00
Hourly drill rate includes loading, moving,drilling, installing, testing , development and clean up.
All utilities will be cleared by client prior to drill's arrival
Discreet sampling materials,testing equipment and all water samples will be the responsibility of the client.
Water used for drilling can either be supplied on site or can delivered for an extra cost
Drill cuttings and waste water caused by drill will be handled by client.
I
I
Page 1 of 1
Proposal: Detailed Hydrogeological Assessment, Oak Ridges Moraine, Clarington, Ontario
APPENDIX B: Reference Letters
Reference letters from:
1. Central Lake Ontario Conservation Authority;
2. Oak Ridges Moraine Groundwater Program (YPDT-CAMC);
3. University of Guelph; and
4. McMaster University.
April 02, 2015 Hydro One monitoring site MW5-14 Page 18 of 18
MITORONTO
Caasc,vabaa Rutha has
York Region _ fdara;na Caatftfaa
Oak Ridges Moraine Groundwater Program (YPDT-CAMC)
March 30, 2015
Faye Langmaid
Manager of Special Projects, Municipality of Clarington
Planning Services Department
40 Temperance Street
Bowmanville, ON L1C 3A6
905-623-3379, ext. 2407
Re: Hydrogeological Assessment of the South Slope of the Oak Ridges Moraine,
Clarington, Ontario— proposal to Hydro One.
Dear Ms. Langmaid;
The Oak Ridges Moraine Groundwater Program was established in 2001 by four
municipalities (Peel, York and Durham Regions, City of Toronto) and nine conservation
authority partners situated within south-central Ontario across the extent of the Oak Ridges
Moraine. Program staff also work closely with the Ontario Geological Survey, the Ontario
Ministry of the Environment, the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Geological
Survey of Canada. Projects with researchers at Canadian Universities are also on-going
(e.g. University of Waterloo, Trent University). The goal of this collaborative effort is to
establish science-based, responsible water resource management. The premise of the
Program is that sound technical understanding leads to more effective water resource
planning and policy. This is seen as vital in regards to the Oak Ridges Moraine given its
importance in influencing water supply and ecosystem health within much of south-central
Ontario.
One of the key components of any hydrogeologic analysis is the availability of long-term, high
quality monitoring information. While much water related information exists across the Oak
Ridges Moraine, the quality is quite variable. The presence of state-of-the-art, groundwater
monitoring infrastructure is largely non-existent. The Hydro One Clarington transformer
station site contains a large thickness of glacial till deposits that protect both shallow and
deep aquifer systems. The proposed monitoring will provide valuable information regarding
groundwater flow through these till deposits that can be applied across much of south-central
Ontario. The locations of higher quality monitoring locations are shown on the attached
Figure 1. Higher quality sites include the presence of a carefully logged soil core extending
from ground surface to bedrock and the installation of 3 or more monitoring wells at various
depths. To date, the higher quality monitoring stations shown have been largely installed
over narrow geologic structures (e.g. tunnel channels) where the till deposits have been
partially or completely eroded.
The proposal to Hydro One referenced above seeks to install high quality groundwater
monitoring infrastructure at a location on the Moraine (Clarington). Monitoring at the site
would generate research-level hydrogeological information and knowledge ultimately leading
to a better understanding of aquifer (water supply) vulnerability. This site will fill a large gap
101 Exchange Avenue, Vaughan, ON, Canada, L4K 5R6
www.oakridgeswater.ca
Hydrogeological Assessment of the South Slope of the Oak Ridges Moraine,
Clarington, Ontario (Hydro One Transformer Station MW5-14) - proposal
relating to the paucity of information relating to how groundwater flows through till deposits
associated with the Moraine. We fully support the proposed project as its intent is viewed as
significantly enhancing our Program objectives.
We have developed significant hydrogeologic expertise related to the flow systems
associated with the Oak Ridges Moraine. We expect that we will work closely with the study
team to convey our knowledge, particularly in placing the local findings into the regional
context that we have developed. Other in-kind contributions are possible, for example one
opportunity may include collecting samples from the monitoring infrastructure and having
them analysed as part of our on-going isotope study being conducted with researchers from
the University of Waterloo.
We look forward to developing a successful collaboration with Hydro One as outlined in the
proposal. We also look forward to working with world-class researchers in enhancing our
understanding of the hydrogeology of the Oak Ridges Moraine. Finally, we fully welcome the
long-needed establishment of state-of-the-art-monitoring facilities along the Oak Ridges
Moraine.
Sincerely,
Steve Holysh, P.Geo.
Hydrogeologist and Co-Manager
Oak Ridges Moraine Hydrogeology Program (YPDT-CAMC)
sholysh @trca.on.ca; 416-661-6600 x5588
AJJU
Richard Gerber, Ph.D., P.Geo.
Hydrogeologist and Co-Manager
Oak Ridges Moraine Hydrogeology Program (YPDT-CAMC)
rgerber @trca.on.ca; 416-661-6600 x5589
March 30, 2015 ORM Groundwater Program (YPDT-CAMC) Page 2 of 3
Hydrogeological Assessment of the South Slope of the Oak Ridges Moraine,
Clarington, Ontario (Hydro One Transformer Station MW5-14) - proposal
e
E _
GEORG— _
aAY
KE
SiMCOE
s
Nti
—
5 "� :-. � r
Z Jr r
HydroOne MW5-14
r
At
j j
a S
wcc
ontnRio
607000 650000 700000 750000
EasL•ng
Legend
Ground Surface(V1.5;100m v4 grid)-masl - ORM Planning boundary Map Scale In metres(1:1026616)
ssu'0 - Edge of Niagara Fscarpment - -- ---
Tunnel Channel Zones(v3;Oct2OO7) - Municipal&CA boundary 0 20000 40000 60000
-- - --- - � Projection:UTM NAD83 Zone17
Interpreted tunnel channel Date(d/m/y): 1 1103/2 01 5
YPDT-CAMC-core+3 or more piezomete
Figure 1: Higher quality monitoring locations in the Oak Ridges Moraine study area. Higher
quality locations include the presence of a carefully logged core to bedrock along with the
installation of 3 or more monitoring wells at variable depths.
March 30, 2015 ORM Groundwater Program (YPDT-CAMC) Page 3 of 3
Attachment 2 to
Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-024-15
100'fling Avertie
Ohlf.1 H-M
Cettt.t'ct! Os.°av e, On ario
Like Otit'ario r'Kr®(9M)57$-014 1
CC7T1.St'!'L'CIu 1;)1l
Fax 19051 57MM
';Wo. 'J m Fa cbc3 con
-Eilnjil. rnali(icicca com
7th ,April, 2015
CLOCA WS gale: JP557`8
Attention Faye Langmaid
Manager of Special Projects
Municipaiity of Clarington
Planning Services Department
40 Temperance Street
Bowmanville, ON L1 C 3A6
SUBJECT. Memorandum of Agreement. CLOCA — klydroUine for Ongoing monitoring
and maintenance of Pw W5-]4 cluster of monitortng borchules
This is to advise that CLOCA agrees to enter Into an agreement wth Hydro One (the
property owner) to take on the ongoing monitoring of both the:
• MW5-14 cluster of monitoring boraholes located on the Hydro One
Clarington transformer station site after the 2019 EA stipulated period; and
+ the detailed multilevel proposed rot+osonic borehole immediately upon
completion. CLOCA staff engaged in the planned monitoring work on the
site will be covered under CLOCA's WSIB coverage,
The arrangement will also corner the decommissioning of alJ boreholes at some point in
the future(> 2019)should this become necessary.
This agreement will be conditional upon:
a) Hydro One agrees to transfer decommissioning funds to CLOCA for the
existing borehole cluster (5 piezometers A through E)at site MW5-14.
The anticipated cost is expected to be on the order of$10,000 assuming
$2000.00 per piezometer;
b) CLOCA socyures funding for the maintenance of the existing cluster post
2019; and funding for any maintenance and future decommissioning casts
associated with the rotosonic borehole immediately upon completion. Nate
that the rotosonic borehole is not under the EA approval oonditions and
the construction costs are not being funded by Hydro (one;
c) A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) wiJI be prepared between CLOCA
and Hydro One to outline the details regarding roles and responsibilities,
site acoess and funding arrangements associated with the complete
cluster;
d) As it porlains to the multi-ievel rotosonic borehole, support and approval is
provided by the Municipality of Claringtor and University of Guelph; and
e) The agreement is endnrsed by the CLOCA Board of Direeturs.
5anccr
Chris Darling
ief Ad.r1I inistra'tivc Of iccr
5'CIU&S•.lAI+3¢�y'_rtrc"�+:•��U:S;�}.:L[�
Attachment 3 to
Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-024-15
Council Resolution #C-172-14
Moved by Councillor Novak, seconded by Councillor Hooper
WHEREAS on March 3, 2014 Council resolved to write to Hydro One and request that the
Enniskillen Environmental Association and their consultant, Group 360, be allowed access
to the proposed Clarington Transformer Site to perform an independent hydrological study
and authorized payment of up to $25,000 for the study; and
WHEREAS in its delegation to Council on March 24, 2014, Hydro One stated that it would
not allow Group 360 access to its property for such purpose; and
WHEREAS the Enniskillen Environmental Association has now requested that Council
grant Group 360 permission to use a portion of the unopened Townline Road road
allowance in order to undertake an independent analysis of the potential hydrogeologic
impacts of the proposed Clarington Transformer Station;
WHEREAS Council supports the Association's desire to undertake further research and is
prepared to fund such research to a maximum of$25,000, provided the work is undertaken
outside of the area required for the station access road in order to avoid the significant
additional social, environmental and financial impacts that would be associated with the
relocation of the access road to a location running west off of Langmaid Road; and
WHEREAS the University of Guelph professors Dr. Beth Parker, Dr. Jana Levison and Dr.
John Cherry submitted a proposal dated April 27, 2014 outlining the scope of work for a
research project valued at approximately $250,000
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
1. THAT the University of Guelph Group 360 be granted permission to access that
portion of the Townline Road road allowance north of Part 3 on Plan 40R-28285 for
the purpose of undertaking an independent long term groundwater monitoring
assessment in the vicinity of the proposed Clarington Transformer Station generally
in accordance with the terms of reference provided by Dr. Beth Parker dated April 27,
2014;
2. THAT Council provide the University of Guelph a maximum of$25,000 to fund the
research undertaken by Group 360 within the road allowance; and
3. THAT such research be funded with a transfer from the 2013 Donations Account to the
Consulting Reserve.
CARRIED AS AMENDED LATER IN THE MEETING (See following motions)
Council Resolution #C-173-14
Moved by Councillor Neal, seconded by Councillor Traill
THAT Part 1 the foregoing Resolution #C-172-14 be amended by replacing the words
"north of Part 3 on Plan 40R-28285" with the words "which is within the Oak Ridges
Moraine"; and
THAT a Part 4 be added as follows:
`THAT Hydro One's use of the Townline Road allowance shall not interfere with this
assessment.'
CARRIED LATER IN THE MEETING
Attachment 4 to
Municipality of Clarington Report PSD-024-15
Council Resolution #C-336-14
Moved by Councillor Neal, seconded by Councillor Novak
That Report EGD-020-14 be received;
That the easement be granted on the condition that Hydro One Networks at its cost,
amend the groundwater monitoring program to include multi-level monitoring wells, one
to be drilled down to the Thorncliffe formation as soon as possible;
That Dr. Rick Gerber and Dr. John Cherry be invited to participate; and
THAT the information from the monitoring be shared with the Municipality, the
Enniskillen Environmental Association and the Community Liaison Committee.
CARRIED AS AMENDED LATER IN THE MEETING (See following motions
Council Resolution #C-341-14
Moved by Councillor Neal, seconded by Councillor Novak
THAT the foregoing Resolution #C-336-14 be amended to add the words "at least" prior
to the words "the Thorncliffe formation" and to add the words "or deeper if
recommended by the expert consultants involved" following the word "formation."
"CARRIED LATER IN THE MEETING
The foregoing Resolution #C-341-14 was then put to a vote and CARRIED ON THE
FOLLOWING RECORDED VOTE:
Council Member Yes No Declaration of Absent Pecuniary Interest
Councillor Novak
Councillor Partner
Councillor Traill -\[
Councillor Woo ,\[
Councillor Hooper
Councillor Neal
Mayor Foster,\[
The foregoing Resolution #C-336-14 was then put to a vote and CARRIED AS
AMENDED ON THE FOLLOWING RECORDED VOTE:
Council Member Yes No Declaration of Absent Pecuniary Interest
Councillor Traill
Councillor Woo
Councillor Hooper
Councillor Neal Nf
Councillor Novak
Councillor Partner,,,[
Mayor Foster�