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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWD-53-92 THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWN OF NEWCASTLC REPORT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE File# E_C� Date: JULY 6, 1992 Res. #ZZ4_-_- - 5pz✓ Report#:—ND---5-3---9-2— F i I e #: A-�9 - 3�7 By-Law# Subject: PRIVATE SEWAGE SYSTEMS IN ORONO Recommendations: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report WD-53-92 be received; 2 . THAT no action be taken to carry out a comprehensive study of the private sewage systems in Orono; and 3 . THAT a copy of Report WD-53-92 be forwarded to the Ministry of the Environment, Mr. Gord Mills! M.P.P. , the Region of Durham, and Mr. Wayne King, Orono Business Improvement Association, and that they be advised of Council 's decision. --------------------------------------------------------------- REPORT 1.0 ATTACHMENTS No. 1: Correspondence dated April 17, 1991, from the Ministry of the Environment No. 2 : Minutes of a meeting held on January 30, 1992 No. 3: Correspondence dated March 30, 1992, from Totten Sims Hubicki Associates 2.0 BACKGROUND 2 . 1 In 1990, Council approved a study to examine the private /2 j REPORT NO. : WD-53-92 PAGE 2 sewage systems (septic tanks) in the Hamlet of Orono. The study was completed by our consultants, Totten Sims Hubicki Associates, and application was made to the Ministry of the Environment for a "Sewage Works Project" . 2 .2 At a meeting held on April 29, 1991, Council considered a letter dated April 17, 1991, from Mr. G. K. Boretski of the Ministry of the Environment. In his letter, Mr. Boretski raised several concerns about the report on the private sewage systems in Orono, which accompanied the application for a grant from the Ministry for a sewage works project. In response to the letter, Council passed Resolution #C-259-91: "THAT the correspondence dated April 17, 1991, from G. K. Boretski, Area Supervisor, Abatement East Section, Ministry of the Environment, regarding Report on the Private Sewage Systems in the Hamlet of Orono - Request for MOE Funding, be received for information; THAT the Director of Public Works contact the Ministry of the Environment and arrange a meeting to discuss the various concerns raised in their correspondence; and THAT a copy of the subject correspondence be forwarded to Mr. Wayne King. " 3.0 REVIEW AND COMMENT 3. 1 As directed by Council, a meeting was held on January 30, 1992, with Mr. Boretski from the Ministry of the Environment, and Mr. Baker and Mr. Blakey from Totten Sims Hubicki Associates . 3 .2 In previous studies of this type the Municipality was required only to survey a sample of properties to indicate to the Ministry whether or not there was a problem. If the Ministry . . . /3 REPORT NO. : WD-53-92 PAGE 3 was satisfied that a problem existed, the Ministry would then provide funding for a comprehensive examination of all the properties and for recommendations, with cost estimates, as to solutions to correct the problems . Similar studies, which I have personally been involved with, include the wells in Newtonville, Manchester and Claremont. These studies were funded by the Ministry of the Environment. 3 . 3 The Ministry Has Changed the Rules At the meeting held with Mr. Boretski on January 30, it was revealed that, because of a shortage of funds, the Ministry of the Environment has now changed the rules to require the municipality to carry out the comprehensive study, which in the past was funded and carried out by the Ministry. Because of this change, Mr. Boretski Is comments on the study which was carried out in 1990 were related to the requirements for the comprehensive study. 3.4 Comprehensive Study Totten Sims Hubicki Associates has prepared a work plan, which has been reviewed and approved by the Ministry of the Environment to carry out the comprehensive study. The estimated cost for this study is $60,000 . 3.5 Durham Recrion 1991 Official Plan The 1991 Durham Region Official Plan, which has not yet been approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs has designated Orono as an urban area and as a special study area (Map A5) . Section 8 .2 . 3 of the Plan states: "Urban areas shall be developed on the basis of full municipal services unless otherwise specified in this Plan" . . . .4 REPORT NO. : WD-53-92 PAGE 4 3 . 6 Purpose of Orono Sewage Study The main purpose of the Orono Sewage Study was to prove that the private sewage systems are not operating properly, to provide input into the Durham Official Plan, and to promote the installation of sanitary sewers in Orono. 4.0 CONCLUSIONS 4 . 1 Since the Durham Plan has designated Orono as an Urban Area and a Special Study Area and since the Durham Plan also states that: "Urban areas shall be developed on the basis of full municipal services unless otherwise specified in the Plan" , the decision as to whether or not sanitary sewers will be extended to Orono will be based on feasibility studies and cost estimates of providing the sanitary sewers and not on whether nor not the septic systems in Orono are working properly. It is, therefore, recommended that, at the time, no further action be taken on carrying out a comprehensive study of the private sewage systems in Orono. Respectfully submitted, Recommended for presentation to the Committee, Walter A. Evans, P.Eng. , Lawrence E. of ,eff, Director of Public Works Chief Admin �st ative Officer WAE:ph June 15, 1992 Attachments pc: Mr. Gord Mills, M.P.P. , Durham East Riding 68 King Street East Bowmanville, Ontario L1C 3X2 . . . /5 I 'E irlC} REPORT NO. : WD-53-92 PAGE 5 pc: Ministry of the Environment 7 Overly Boulevard 4th Floor Toronto, Ontario M4H 1A8 Attention: Mr. G. Boretski, Area Supervisor Region of Durham 605 Rossland Road East Whitby, Ontario L1N 6A3 Attention: Mr. C. Lundy, Clerk Orono Business Improvement Association Box 309 Orono, Ontario LOB 1M0 Attention: Ms. Sylvia Parker I I I i i I � } 4 COUNCIL INF RIIATION Ministry Ministere _ . �� �� Central Region �u10 of the de : Region Centre Environment I'Environnement Ontario 7 Overlea Boulevard 7,boulevard Overlea 46 01 �.'� 4th Floor 4e stage Toronto,Ontario Toronto(Ontario) -'' M4H 1A8 M4H 1A8 l 416/424-3000 416/424.3000 1991 04 17 Fax:416/963.2935 Fax:416/963.2935 Mr. Steve Blakey, P. Eng. o "" `:.' "�-�- T� ;it'l�'Qfi n ;sad(y..k--.--- t Project Manager WKI(AlsTLE b+ -� F Environmental Engineering Totten Sims Hubicki -Ass a 81 imJ't6t9.""°'"= oci tes.(19 �-L APR 1500 Hopkins Street Whitby,. Ontario L1N ZC3 "• c�_7� Dear Sir: Re: Town of Newcastle Report on the Private Sewage Systems in the Hamlet of Orono Request for MOE Funding An application for grant-sewage works project and a preliminary report entitled, "Report on the Private Sewage Systems in the Hamlet of Orono" were received by the Central Region office on October 1, 1990, via a letter of transmittal dated September 27, 1990, requesting funding assistance for an environmental study report. On December 10, 1990, Council of the Town of Newcastle passed a resolution endorsing the application and requesting that a study on a communal sanitary sewer system for Orono be carried out. Central Region has completed its review and it has been decided to withhold submission of the application to the Ministry's Project Priority Evaluation Committee at this time. It was felt that the report, in support of the request for funding, did not show adequate evidence of problems with the individual private sewage disposal systems. Our comments are as follows: Downtown Core • A door-to-door survey was conducted on 43 of the 46 lots. Field inspection only identified two cases of sewage breakout onto property (page 2-5). Instances of sewage ponding or breakouts of sewage onto property are more related to the remainder of the year. ATTACHMENT N0. I WD-53-92 cont'd ... 2 • It indicates that five surface water samples were collected during dry weather (page 2-5). No map is provided showing location of sampling points. There is no description as to the sources of sample. Five samples were also collected during a light rainfall. Are these identical locations to the previous sample locations during dry weather? • For the chemical analyses results, the report notes that it was difficult to positively identify ,the,source of contamination due to possible interference from fertilizers and water softeners..(page 2-6). • . Field staff located;one outlet of greywater. Denseness of underbrush of ravine -made •it difficult to locate evidence of'greywater.` Also, field inspection failed to locate evidence of greywater east of Main Street. • The report states that a possible cause of the contamination in a branch of Wilmot Creek is surface water run-off through the storm sewers. Why were the storm sewers not sampled during dry and wet weather to show a direct link to contamination of the creek (page 2-9). • There is no description of the individual private sewage systems provided, outlining related problems. No dye testing or sampling of discharges were conducted to confirm possible links between problem sewage systems and contamination in the ditches and storm sewers, although the report states that many of the existing systems are overloaded and discharge raw sewage to the surface during heavy use. It also indicates that run-off water is discharged through storm sewer systems which likely contaminate' recreational waters. However, there is no direct evidence. Surrounding Area • Seventy-five lots of some 480 developed lots were inspected. Apparently, field staff could only locate 3 actual cases of sewage breakout onto the property. The report suggests that as the field work was conducted in July and August, instances of sewage onto property are rare, relative to the remainder of the year. I I cont'd ... 3 • Surface water samples were collected during dry weather and wet weather. No map is provided showing locations of sampling points; no description of the sample location and source is provided. There is no indication whether the same locations were sampled during the dry and wet weather periods. • Again, the report suggests that it was difficult to positively identify the source of contamination due to the possibility of interference from fertilizers and water softeners.(page 3-6). • During the field investigation, only 8 outlets for.discharging greywater were located. No water sampling or. dye -testing was' done' to..confirm the greywater discharge outlet. • No information on the individual private sewage disposal systems obtained. during the field investigation is provided. • From the sample results of surface water from Wilmot Creek it is difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of bacterial pollution, i.e. agricultural or domestic sewage. • Out of 75 lots inspected to determine applicable sewage flows, 9 lots have inadequate lot sizes (page 3-9). • There is no direct link of the sample results from surface waters to direct discharges of sewage. - • Are there any other surveys or reports available from other sources such as the local health department? • Are there any restrictions to development due to existing soil conditions or lot sizes which would preclude any installation of septic tank systems. • The door-to-door survey of the individual private sewage systems possibly should have been conducted during the spring when problems would be more evident. i cont'd ... 4 For your information, I have included a copy of a sanitary survey which was conducted by staff of the Ministry's Sault Ste. Marie office which may act as a guide or assist you in what the Ministry is looking for when submissions are made to the Project Priority Evaluation Committee. Other examples such as the Brooklin Sanitary Survey may be reviewed on our file. Once you have had an opportunity to review our comments, we would be willing to meet with you to discuss the report and submission. .-Yours -truly, original signed by G. K. Boretski, B. Tech. Area Supervisor Abatement East Section cc: Mr. W. Brink, Project Engineering Branch Ms. M. P. Knight, Corporation of the Town of Newcastle -,z Mr. W. Evans, Corporation of the Town of Newcastle ICgkb-blal.let 7(sT. t0zUT1,0� 1 I Project: Town of Newcastle Hamlet of Orono NEON Sewage works TSH No.: 52-0744 totters Sims hubicki associates Meeting Date: January 30, 1992 ENGINEERS ARCHITECTS AND PLANNERS Meeting Time:10:00 a.m. Report Date: February 4, 1992 MEETING REPORT NO. Recorder: S. Blakey Page 1 of 2 Note: If any of the contents of this meeting report differ in any respect from your own recollection of the points discussed or decisions reached, please notify us immediately. In the meantime, we will proceed in accordance with the understanding described herein. LOCATION: TSH office PRESENT: Mr. W. Evans Town of Newcastle Mr. G. Boretski Ministry of the Environment Mr. R. Baker Totten Sims Hubicki Associates Mr. S. Blakey Totten Sims Hubicki Associates PURPOSE: To review preliminary report prepared by TSH in 1990 and determine future action required to satisfy the MOE that a problem exists in Orono with respect to their private sewage systems. ITEM DESCRIPTION ACTION BY 1. W. Evans briefly gave a history pointing out that the Downtown Business Improvement Association (DBIA) initiated the study and are very interested in finding a solution. (Mr. Wayne King, owner of the Co-op in Orono is the present DBIA President). G. Boretski pointed out similar situations which made it clear that any grant programs supporting growth must be on communal systems. Upgrading of individual systems-is for `no growth' situations only. 2. R. B. Baker noted that as Orono is in the Oak Ridges Moraine, he did not believe any development would be allowed presently on septic tank facilities. I 3. W. Evans commented that no sewage discharge would be permitted to Wilmot Creek. 4. Long term goal is to service Orono via the Newcastle sewage system. The Region of Durham's expansion of the Newcastle plant makes provision for future servicing of Orono. I . I ATTACHMENT NO. 2 WD-53-92 I (± I J totten sims hubicki associates 2of2 Project: Town of Newcastle TSH No. 52-0744 ITEM DESCRIPTION ACTION BY 5. G. Boretski explained that MOE rules and what PPEC will accept as documentation for a fundable project has changed, becoming more stringent. The 1990 report prepared by TSH did not provide details of individual system deficiencies and was undertaken during the dryer summer months. TSH did not document in the report specific lots in order to obtain the cooperation of many residents who wanted to remain anonymous. In terms of timing, TSH were not authorized to proceed until after a meeting with the DBIA in May 1990. In addition the MOE want dye testing, internal plumbing checked and recording of grey water discharge locations. This type of indepth investigation was once funded by the MOE once the need was established through preliminary testing. This kind of indepth investigation is expensive. It was agreed that the Town would have to survey 75% of the total number of buildings and thereby show that at least 20% of these have problems. 6. TSH are to prepare a letter to the Town which will outline the work required and costs to document the problem to an extent to satisfy the MOE. This work plan is to be forwarded to G. Boretski and W. Evans in draft, before formal submission to the TSH Town. totten sims hubicki associates per: S. Blakey, Eng. SB/br 6549/t2 pc: Attendees I t� totten Sims hubicki associat I MHR -4�-•�.� r•10 r-4 1 '4 : :3:F; TC TTE _: I r1c. HU:B I CU::* I P _ 4 � 1500 HQPKIN9 STREET, WHITBY, oNTAA10 CANADA UN 203 totten slims k>ubicki associates (416)666.9363 FAX(ale)666-0221 Mr, W. Evans, F.Eng. Director of Public Works Town of Newcastle 40 Temperance Street Bowmanviile, Ontario L1G 3A6 March 30, 1992 Dear Sir: Re: Town of Newwtle Hamlet of Orono Sewage Systems Upgrading TSH Ref. No. 52-0003-22 ThE: enclosed work plan including costs and the questionnaire have been revised to incorporate the continents received from Mr. Gary Boretski of the MOE in his letter dated March 20, 1992. In order to take advantage of the spring sampling conditions, we would appreciate receiving your continents and approval to proceed at your earliest convenience. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact our office. Yo•ars very truly, torten sims hubicki associates i S. Blakey F. Eng. DI V/br ATTACHMENT N0. 3 ErCl. WD=53-92 71:2lt2 pc: Mr. G. Boretski, MOE Toronto Mr. T. Wong, Durharn Region Health Unit TOWN OF NEWCASTLE HAMLET OF ORONO SEWAGE SYSTEM STUDY WORK PLAN 1. The private sewage disposal systems for 400 of the residences within the Hamlet of Orono will be physically inspected. The sewage systems will be inspected for evidence of sewage ponding or discharge off property, greywater (wash water) discharge off property, and improperly installed systems including any visible pipe discharges. The size and ground conditions of each lot will also be determined in order to establish whether they preclude the installation of Class 4 sewage systems (septic tanks with leaching beds). A sketch of the lot plan showing the relative locations of the sewage disposal system, well supply, residence, any pools of surface water, etc. will be drafted. The proposed period of inspection is from mid March to mid April when pooling of surface waters will be most evident. 2. Whenever pools of surface water are present on the lot, a water sample will be collected. The water samples will be submitted for bacteriological analyses, which will comprise the faecal coliform counts. Dye testing will be utilized to confirm suspected cases of greywater or septic system discharge to the surface. The coliform counts will typically range from 10 to 600 for recreational waters and up to 600,000 for sewage/polluted samples. 3. As an optional phase of the sewage system study, all lots from which surface water samples are collected for bacteriological analyses will also have surface water samples field tested for evidence of nitrate contamination using a Hach portable test kit. If the test kit indicates that nitrate is present in the surface water at a concentration greater than 1 mg/l, an additional surface water sample will be collected. This sample will be submitted to a private laboratory for an accurate determination of the nitrate concentration, and supplemental analyses of the nitrite, ammonia, and total kjeldahl nitrogen concentrations. TSH staff will conduct dye testing as well as inquire regarding lawn fertilizing to delineate the source of contamination. 4. Additional surface water samples will be collected from the waters of Wilmott Creek, and from drainage ditches within the study area. These samples will be submitted to the MOH laboratory in Peterborough for bacteriological analyses, which will comprise the faecal coliform counts and the faecal streptococci counts. TSH considers the collection of 50 samples from locations within the study area to be representative of the general conditions that exist in the recreational and surface waters in the area. 5. Water samples will be collected from drainage ditches within the study area for BOD and phosphorus analysis. These samples will be submitted to a private laboratory for anlaysis. TSH considers the collection of 25 samples from locations within the study area to be representative of the general conditions in the study area. 6. All residents who have their sewage systems inspected will be requested to complete a questionnaire regarding the history and performance of their system. The questionnaire will ask residents to provide the following information: type'of sewage system installed, age and capacity of the system, history of any problems with the system, totten sims hubicki associates 1 'J 1 2 whether or not greywater is discharged to the system, history of any drainage problems on the lot, number of bedrooms and occupants in the residence, number of months the residence is occupied, and whether they have fertilized their lawn. See Attachment No. 1 for a copy of the questionnaire. 7. The MOH will provide supplementary records for the 400 private sewage disposal systems surveyed within the study area. This information will augment the physical inspections of the sewage systems. 8. The sewage disposal system records, questionnaires, results of the water sample analyses, and the sewage system inspections will be assessed in order to determine the following: - the extent of sewage ponding or discharge, - the extent of greywater discharge, - the levels of surface water contamination, - the extent of inadequate ground conditions, and - remedial measures to correct any problems. 9. A comprehensive report on the sewer study will be prepared which outlines its purpose, history, scope, results, conclusions, and recommendations. This report will be presented to the Town of Newcastle for their review and response. 7122/t2 totten rims hubicki associates 3 ESTIMATED COSTS Sewage Study 1. Sampling/Inspections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $30,000.00 2.* Bacteriological Analyses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . : $ 2,500.00 (Based on lab analysis of 200 lot samples and 50 creek samples) 3.** Chemical Analyses - Optional . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 7,000.00 (Based on lab analysis of 100 lot samples) 4.*** BOD and Phosphorous Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,450.00 (Based on lab analysis of 25 ditch samples) 5.. Prepare Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $15,000.00 Sub-Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $55,950.00 G.S.T. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . $ 3,917.00 Total Cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $59,867.00 * The unit cost for the bacteriological analyses is $10 per sample. For the purpose of estimating costs, it is assumed that approximately 200 of the lots surveyed will have pools of surface water present on the lot from which a water sample can be collected. The final cost of the bacteriological analyses, however, will depend on the actual number of samples collected. ** The unit cost for the chemical analyses is $70 per sample. For the purpose of estimating costs, it is assumed that approximately 100 of the lots surveyed with the Hach portable test kit will exhibit results which indicate that a sample should be submitted to a private laboratory. The final cost of the chemical analyses, however, will depend on the actual number of samples submitted. *** The unit cost for the BOD and phosphorus analysis is $58 per sample. For the purpose of estimating costs, it is assumed that approximately 25 samples will be taken from drainage ditches within the study area. I 7122/t2 i totten sims hubicki associates I Attachment No. 1 SEWAGE SYSTEM QUESTIONNAIRE Date of Survey: Sample Number: A) GENERAL INFORMATION Name of Resident: Mailing Address: Telephone Number: Plan Number: Lot Number: How long at this address: Months of year residence occupied: Number of bedrooms in residence: Number of occupants in residence: B) SEWAGE SYSTEM INFORMATION What type of sewage system is installed: ( ) Septic tank and leaching bed ( ) Holding tank ( ) Aerobic ( ) Other: What is the capacity and age of the system: Capacity: Age: I i totten sims hubicki associates Attachment No. 1 SEWAGE SYSTEM QUESTIONNAIRE (Continued) What problems have you experienced with the system: ( ) None ( ) Breakouts of sewage on property ( ) Sewage backup within residence ( ) Other: Comments: Does "greywater" (wash water) discharge to the system: Yes No Sinks ( ) ( ) Laundry ( ) ( ) Shower/Bath ( ) ( ) If "No", where is grey water discharged: Have you experienced any problems with drainage on your property, especially near a leaching bed: ( ) Yes ( ) No Comments: i torten sims hubicki associates i Attachement No. 1 SEWAGE SYSTEM QUESTIONNAIRE (Continued) Are there any visible discharges on the property (i.e., pipe sticking out of the ground)? ( ) Yes ( ) No Comments: Have you recently fertilized your lawn? ( ) Yes ( ) No If yes, when? totten sims hubicki associates i {� (. J I