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Dorset Street West Standpipe Replacement

Background

The Dorset Street West Standpipe (also known as the Zone 1 elevated tank), built in 1977, is located in Zone 1 of the Port Hope Drinking Water System (DWS). It has been identified in the Port Hope Asset Management Plan (AMP) for replacement by 2027. A condition assessment of the 1,085 cubic meter standpipe was completed in 2019 and confirmed that many above ground components of the existing standpipe are in poor condition and that below grade components are in very poor condition and require accelerated attention.

This standpipe maintains the hydraulic grade line in Zone 1 when high-lift pumps at the water treatment plant (WTP) are stopped. The standpipe has a limited total volume and a very small operational range. As the back up system, the current standpipe has a limited usable volume. This puts increased demand on other systems and limits the time other pumps can be shut down for maintenance or repair without risk to system pressures.

In an emergency situation such as a power / generator start failure at the Water Treatment Plant or in the event of an issue with the WTP discharge piping, areas of Zone 1 in the Port Hope DWS could quickly fall below the appropriate pressure levels (due to the limited usable capacity of the current standpipe).

Current Dorset Street StandpipeCurrent situation

A solution needs to be reached for replacing the old infrastructure built in 1977 with a new system that will provide Port Hope with reliable water service. The aging standpipe and associated failing elements are at a high risk of failure and could jeopardize the water system's reliability.

Once replaced, there will be greater flexibility in completing preventative maintenance at the WTP because the new system will maintain pressure. This is also key during emergency situations that might involve equipment failure or fire fighting events.

The preferred option is to relocate this system as the current standpipe is located in an older, fully developed residential neighbourhood on a small parcel of land. There is no space on this land for an overflow pond. An overflow pond is important because currently, if there is an overflow at the standpipe, residential properties to the east would become flooded.


Concept of new elevated tankStudy

A study is being conducted to address the floating storage limitations in the drinking water system. This study identifies the preferred location for a new Elevated Tank.

This study follows the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process. The Municipal Class EA process is a consistent, objective, and transparent process to plan public infrastructure. The process provides opportunities for the public, government agencies, First Nation and Metis communities, and other interested persons to give feedback and guide decision making.

Various potential locations were identified for the new Elevated Tank. Each location was evaluated based on its impact to the natural environment, social/ cultural impacts, technical merits and financial cost. The findings of the Study include the evaluation of the various sites and how the preferred site was selected.

The consultant leading the Study has identified a preferred location for further consideration. This location is 412 Croft Street. This location is preferred because:

  • It is located in a commercial area, away from residential neighbourhoods
  • It has minimal impact on the community areas
  • It is property already owned by the Municipality of Port Hope
  • It is within proximity to existing watermain infrastructure
  • It is the lowest capital cost.

More information about this and the other locations included in the study will be available at the Public Information Centre and in the slide deck presentation. The slides will be posted on this page the week of February 27, ahead of the PIC.

Notice of Study Completion - 30 Day Review Period

A Project File Report (PFR) has been prepared documenting the planning and decision-making process followed during the Class EA study. This final report is posted in the 'Important Documents' tab for review. Interested persons must provide written comments to the project team within the 30-calendar day review period beginning on June 29, 2023 and ending on July 28, 2023. For more information on this review period, view the Notice of Study Completion in the "Important Documents" tab.

Background

The Dorset Street West Standpipe (also known as the Zone 1 elevated tank), built in 1977, is located in Zone 1 of the Port Hope Drinking Water System (DWS). It has been identified in the Port Hope Asset Management Plan (AMP) for replacement by 2027. A condition assessment of the 1,085 cubic meter standpipe was completed in 2019 and confirmed that many above ground components of the existing standpipe are in poor condition and that below grade components are in very poor condition and require accelerated attention.

This standpipe maintains the hydraulic grade line in Zone 1 when high-lift pumps at the water treatment plant (WTP) are stopped. The standpipe has a limited total volume and a very small operational range. As the back up system, the current standpipe has a limited usable volume. This puts increased demand on other systems and limits the time other pumps can be shut down for maintenance or repair without risk to system pressures.

In an emergency situation such as a power / generator start failure at the Water Treatment Plant or in the event of an issue with the WTP discharge piping, areas of Zone 1 in the Port Hope DWS could quickly fall below the appropriate pressure levels (due to the limited usable capacity of the current standpipe).

Current Dorset Street StandpipeCurrent situation

A solution needs to be reached for replacing the old infrastructure built in 1977 with a new system that will provide Port Hope with reliable water service. The aging standpipe and associated failing elements are at a high risk of failure and could jeopardize the water system's reliability.

Once replaced, there will be greater flexibility in completing preventative maintenance at the WTP because the new system will maintain pressure. This is also key during emergency situations that might involve equipment failure or fire fighting events.

The preferred option is to relocate this system as the current standpipe is located in an older, fully developed residential neighbourhood on a small parcel of land. There is no space on this land for an overflow pond. An overflow pond is important because currently, if there is an overflow at the standpipe, residential properties to the east would become flooded.


Concept of new elevated tankStudy

A study is being conducted to address the floating storage limitations in the drinking water system. This study identifies the preferred location for a new Elevated Tank.

This study follows the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) process. The Municipal Class EA process is a consistent, objective, and transparent process to plan public infrastructure. The process provides opportunities for the public, government agencies, First Nation and Metis communities, and other interested persons to give feedback and guide decision making.

Various potential locations were identified for the new Elevated Tank. Each location was evaluated based on its impact to the natural environment, social/ cultural impacts, technical merits and financial cost. The findings of the Study include the evaluation of the various sites and how the preferred site was selected.

The consultant leading the Study has identified a preferred location for further consideration. This location is 412 Croft Street. This location is preferred because:

  • It is located in a commercial area, away from residential neighbourhoods
  • It has minimal impact on the community areas
  • It is property already owned by the Municipality of Port Hope
  • It is within proximity to existing watermain infrastructure
  • It is the lowest capital cost.

More information about this and the other locations included in the study will be available at the Public Information Centre and in the slide deck presentation. The slides will be posted on this page the week of February 27, ahead of the PIC.

Notice of Study Completion - 30 Day Review Period

A Project File Report (PFR) has been prepared documenting the planning and decision-making process followed during the Class EA study. This final report is posted in the 'Important Documents' tab for review. Interested persons must provide written comments to the project team within the 30-calendar day review period beginning on June 29, 2023 and ending on July 28, 2023. For more information on this review period, view the Notice of Study Completion in the "Important Documents" tab.

Page last updated: 28 Jun 2023, 07:56 AM