Integrated Sanitary Master Plan

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Did you know there are over 800km of sanitary sewer mains underneath our city?

What issues or concerns do you have about our existing sanitary infrastructure?

What do we need to consider to expand that infrastructure as our community grows?

The Study

The City is creating an Integrated Sanitary Master Plan to make sure we meet our sanitary service needs now and in the future. We will be reviewing existing conditions and developing an assessment of alternative solutions. You will have the opportunity to give input on the project objectives and on the proposed alternative solutions. We will then identify a preferred alternative based on our technical review and on the outcomes of our public consultations.

Our study follows an approved process under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. For more details, please read the Notice of Study Commencement.

How can you take part?

We want to hear from you! Use the "Subscribe" button at the top right-hand corner to get updates. If you have questions, please use the Questions tool below. You can also contact us for more information.


Did you know there are over 800km of sanitary sewer mains underneath our city?

What issues or concerns do you have about our existing sanitary infrastructure?

What do we need to consider to expand that infrastructure as our community grows?

The Study

The City is creating an Integrated Sanitary Master Plan to make sure we meet our sanitary service needs now and in the future. We will be reviewing existing conditions and developing an assessment of alternative solutions. You will have the opportunity to give input on the project objectives and on the proposed alternative solutions. We will then identify a preferred alternative based on our technical review and on the outcomes of our public consultations.

Our study follows an approved process under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. For more details, please read the Notice of Study Commencement.

How can you take part?

We want to hear from you! Use the "Subscribe" button at the top right-hand corner to get updates. If you have questions, please use the Questions tool below. You can also contact us for more information.

  • Reformatted Virtual Public Information Centre #2 comments

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    Thank you to those who raised concerns about the formatting of the Virtual Integrated Sanitary Master Plan Public Information Centre (PIC) #2 Forum tool.

    It is important to us that the comments you share and the responses we provide are easy to read. We have provided your original comments and our responses below, with improved formatting.


    New Comment: HughWhitley, 26 days ago

    Use of Demand Management in the design and operation of municipal sanitary-sewer systems has great potential to reduce present and future capital and operating costs. The importance of Demand Management has been recognized by the Region of York which has been using Demand Management to manage its Water and Wastewater Systems since 2011.

    The Region of York estimates that over the last 23 years the Region’s water conservation project has reduced water-supply consumption by 27 megalitres/day (equivalent to the daily water used by 135,000 people) and the Inflow and Infiltration Reduction Program has reduced sanitary-sewer flows by 22 megalitres/day (equivalent to wastewater flows from a population of 110,000) for an overall reduction of sanitary flows corresponding to a population increase of 245,000 people.

    The City of Kitchner can achieve similar benefits by making Demand Management a central policy emphasis in its current update of the Sanitary Master Plan. The City should follow the example set by the Region of York and establish a multiple decade reduction target for both water conservation and for I&I reduction with every five-year reporting progress being made to achieve the targets as set in the plan.

    Since in the Region of Waterloo Demand Management for water conservation is conducted by the Region of Waterloo and not the City of Kitchener the City of Kitchener Sanitary Master Plan will not contain water conservation policies. The Sanitary Master plan should, however, contain specific information on the Region’s water conservation targets and should emphasize the importance of achieving these targets as an essential support for achieving success for the Sanitary Master Plan.

    In order to identify feasible targets for I&I reduction the first step is to estimate the current level of I&I flows. The City of Cambridge has successfully documented reduced I&I flows using this approach. In Cambridge reductions in infiltration into under-river crossings and reduction of improper sealing of joints in locations with high groundwater levels were important in achieving reduced I&I.

    Reference website for York Region Inflow and Infiltration | York Region website Inflow and Infiltration | York Region

    Reply: Jeff.paul_1424, 26 days ago

    Thank you for your comments on Demand Management and inflow and infiltration (I/I). As per your comment, the Region of Waterloo manages Kitchener’s water supply and demand. The Region is updating their Water Supply Strategy, which will look at sustainable water supply sources and water demands. More information is available on the Region’s website.

    Reduction of I/I is an important part of the Sanitary Master Plan. Slides 18-20 in the presentation summarize the strategies recommended for the City of Kitchener to begin defining and addressing I/I. This is covered under Alternative 4. This solution refers to a broad collection of programs. The goal of the programs is to reduce flows in the sanitary sewer system and improve the City’s understanding of the system's state. This will allow the City to better assess the system's condition and performance and to promote continuous improvement of the sanitary sewer system.

    Programs include:

    Rainfall & Flow Monitoring Program

    This program will manage all rainfall and sewer flow monitoring equipment and contracts. It will provide valuable data to the City. The data will identify how the sanitary system responds to storm events. The City will be able to target system improvements better with this information.

    Computer Model Updates & Maintenance

    This program will provide further improvements to the computer model. It will simulate the sanitary sewer system and ensure the model is up to date with the latest data. The model can then be used for capital planning, operations and decision-making.

    Sanitary Trunk Sewer & Forcemain Investigation Program

    This program enhances the City’s existing program, which inspects existing sewers. It will allow all larger sewers to be inspected by camera on a 10-year frequency to assess any issues in a timely manner.

    Inflow and Infiltration Reduction Program

    This involves the review of data collected as part of other programs. It would determine specific areas where inflow and infiltration is entering the sanitary system. The program would then recommend actions to remedy the source of additional flows.

    Hydrogen Sulfide Monitoring and Dosing Program

    This involves monitoring hydrogen sulfide levels in key locations in the sanitary sewer system. It will identify areas of high hydrogen sulfide within the system. The program would then recommend actions to remedy the high hydrogen sulfide levels

    Data collection through these programs will allow the City to better assess items such as inflow and infiltration into the sanitary system. These plans align with and will continue to implement the best practices from other Municipalities such as the Region of York and the City of Cambridge.


    Reply: HughWhitley, 26 days ago

    Thanks for the fulsome answer. I suggest that in the Sanitary Master Plan the City of Kitchener set a specific date by which an initial report will be available specifying

    (1) the magnitude of existing I&I flows and

    (2) setting five year and twenty year targets for reduction in I&I flows.

    As I noted York Region is already a decade into its twenty year I&I reduction program and is exceeding reduction targets. Similarly Cambridge has reported large reductions in its I&I flows from 32% in 2016 to 20% in 2020.as a result of their I&I reduction efforts.

    Reply: Sarah Lang, 14 days ago

    Thank you for your suggestion. We appreciate your contributions to the virtual PIC.

    The City will consider your comments as the Master Plan report is prepared. We will set target reduction goals through the I/I program and provide updates when we have data available.

    New Comment: Barbara@Norton, about 1 month ago

    Comments on City of Kitchener Master Plan PIC #2, December 2023.

    Barbara Robinson, resident, President of Norton Engineering Inc.

    The problem statement should not only include “management of sanitary infrastructure”, but management of sewage itself, e.g. leaking sewers, or Inflow and Infiltration. And not just the sewers and pumping stations, but the sewage itself.

    Please provide actual I/I numbers for Kitchener WWTP. Recall that this is calculated as total influent at WWTP minus sum of all billed water, with the sewer/watersheds rationalized to match. I calculated this once for the City and I/I was about 40%. Residents pay for this I/I on each and every monthly bill. It is preposterous not to invest in reducing it, in this era of residents really struggling to keep up with the costs of living.

    Developing a model will predict future flows (and will be out of date in 5 years unless it is regularly updated and re-calibrated – which is rare). It will do nothing to address existing I/I, of which the sewers are full (since there is no I/I program in Kitchener at all). A model cannot be considered a means of identifying I/I – since models are rife with errors. See Norton’s research online or on LinkedIN.

    Please note that flow monitoring of very large sewersheds does not lead to being able to pinpoint I/I – it is too specific to neighbourhoods (ago of homes, construction materials, soils, groundwater levels, quality of installation and inspection, etc.). Surface water infiltration is the least of the problems. Groundwater infiltration and inflow are.

    The City has no roof leader disconnection program. It is illegal, today, per your sewer use by-law, for residents to discharge rain water or groundwater to the sanitary sewer. The City is actually themselves reconnecting cellar drains (groundwater) to the sanitary sewer during reconstructions (example, Earl St.), which is in contravention of its own by-law.

    Each and every connected roof leader in Kitchener costs all residents $2,000 (avg rainfall x sewage charge), each and every year, and increases risk of flooding for all. See “the sewer lady” on TVO’s the Agenda with Steve Paikin (July 2023): https://www.tvo.org/video/the-sewer-lady-on-how-to-avoid-flooding.

    Since roof leaders are illegal connections, it is baffling that the City has not addressed this already. The sewer rate increase is 7.1% again in the 2024 budget – how can we keep charging residents more while doing nothing to reduce the costs of the operation of the system? I/I becomes sewage as soon as it enters the sewers.

    There is no magical “I/I separator” at the headworks of the plant. I/I is the proximate cause of flooding – and reducing it will provide protection from peakier storms. When there is flooding, or when we need to expand the WWTP, we do not say, well, I/I is a big culprit here, but we don’t need to pay for it because it’s I/I. The cost of I/I is the cost of sewage, e.g. $3.27/m3.

    The preferred solutions don’t address these essential issues in the sewer system. The environmental impacts of the flushing of deleterious materials into the sewer, the costs, and the increased risk to residents of basement backup, means this issue needs to be addressed. See https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/plumbing-problem-kitchener-ont-engineer-pushing-to-change-canada-s-plumbing-code-1.6480544, July 2023.

    New subdivisons have been demonstrated to be leaking, often badly, across Ontario. Norton’s efficient and cost-effective solution of flow monitoring all new subdivisions to ensure conformance with allowable leakage stated in OPS standards has been adopted by municipalities across Ontario. Failure to adopt this forces existing residents to pay for I/I left by developers, in perpetuity. It is the municipality’s responsibility to protect residents from this unacceptable condition. See The Agenda with Steve Paikin in 2019: https://www.tvo.org/video/ontarios-leaky-sewer-problem

    Have you referenced the two new National Sewer Guidelines published by Standards Council of Canada? “Reducing the Risk of I/I in New Sewer Construction”, Robinson, Sandink and Engineers Canada, for Standards Council of Canada, 2019, Seed Document. Developed into a final Standard by BNQ, and “Mitigation of the Risks of Inflow and Infiltration in New Sanitary Sewer Systems”, BNQ, 2022. And “Ðeveloping an Efficient and Cost-Effective I/I Program”, Robinson and Sandink for Standards Council of Canada, 2021.

    This seed document is currently being developed into a final standard by BNQ. This master plan reads like one written in the early 2000s – without reference to the modern approaches to I/I which have been developed since then. Please confirm that CAN/CSA Z800-18 was also consulted. It contains details on private side I/I and ways to reduce this risk.

    Where are the details of a public education campaign? Apart from a very recent FB post about what to flush, I have never seen or heard media on how residents can operate and maintain their private sewer from the City. This is no longer good enough – it is clear by now that residents across Ontario clearly do not understand how to use their sewer.

    Norton’s public education campaign of “Sewers are NOT Trash Cans” will efficiently and cost-effectively address this, if accompanied by media and in-person information sessions. See CBC Radio, https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2683773960 eight years ago - this is not new information. See also CBC Radio in June 2023, https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2241426499736.

    I do not believe that the City has adequately addressed many of the issues that are germane to planning for future growth and capacity in the sewers.

    Reply: Sarah Lang, 28 days ago

    Thank you for your comments on inflow and infiltration (I/I). Slides 18-20 in the presentation summarize the strategies recommended for the City of Kitchener to begin defining and addressing I/I. This is covered under Alternative 4.

    This solution refers to a broad collection of programs. The goal of the programs is to reduce flows in the sanitary sewer system and improve the City’s understanding of the system's state. This will allow the City to better assess the system's condition and performance.

    Programs include:

    Rainfall & Flow Monitoring Program

    This program will manage all rainfall and sewer flow monitoring equipment and contracts. It will provide valuable data to the City. The data will identify how the sanitary system responds to storm events. The City will be able to target system improvements better with this information.

    Computer Model Updates & Maintenance

    This program will provide further improvements to the computer model. It will simulate the sanitary sewer system and ensure the model is up to date with the latest data. The model can then be used for capital planning, operations and decision-making.

    Sanitary Trunk Sewer & Forcemain Investigation Program

    This program enhances the City’s existing program, which inspects existing sewers. It will allow all larger sewers to be inspected by camera on a 10-year frequency to assess any issues in a timely manner.

    Data collection will allow the City to better assess inflow and infiltration into the sanitary system.

    This alternative recommends programs to remove sources of strain on the system caused by:

    • The inflow of excess water into sewer pipes. Inflow water comes from yards, roofs, drains, downspouts, and manhole covers.
    • The infiltration of excess water from the groundwater system. The water then enters the sewers. Infiltration occurs following large storm events that can trigger a rise in groundwater levels.

    The following programs will be implemented based on available data as it becomes available:

    Inflow and Infiltration Reduction Program

    This involves the review of data collected as part of other programs. It would determine specific areas where inflow and infiltration is entering the sanitary system. The program would then recommend actions to remedy the source of additional flows.

    Hydrogen Sulfide Monitoring and Dosing Program

    This involves monitoring hydrogen sulfide levels in key locations in the sanitary sewer system. It will identify areas of high hydrogen sulfide within the system. The program would then recommend actions to remedy the high hydrogen sulfide levels

    It is worth noting that this is a significant body of new work to undertake. It is also a very important body of work with a high potential return on investment. The City looks forward to initiating these efforts upon completing the master plan.


    New Comment: Barbara@Norton, about 1 month ago

    I only see a single comment here. That tells me that you have not achieved public consultation.

    Obviously, the timing of this PIC is not great - we generally avoid December.

    Reply: Sarah Lang, 28 days ago

    Thank you for your interest and participation in this study.

    The City used a virtual format for both PICs through the City’s Engage Kitchener platform. The Integrated Sanitary Master Plan is a City-wide study and of technical nature. Asynchronous virtual PICs makes it easier for participants to give input and share ideas over a much more flexible period. Participants have weeks to share feedback, rather than a single 2-3 hour in-person meeting. The format also offers the opportunity to engage from home or a nearby internet access point such as a community centre or library. It avoids travelling in potentially challenging weather conditions this time of year.

    Due to the high-level planning nature of Master Plans, they have historically received lower levels of engagement. Outcomes are less tangible than a capital project such as a new community centre or public park space planning. This master plan is not identifying new infrastructure to be built where none currently exists. Where existing infrastructure will undergo renewal or replacement, the City will engage with residents in the vicinity of the proposed work. This engagement will take place as more details become available through the design process.

    Receiving feedback on the sanitary master plan is important to us. The commenting period for this public information centre remains open until January 7th. The materials will remain available on the Engage Kitchener website. We will continue to accept comments from the public for the duration of the study.

    Thank you once again for your engagement. We look forward to hearing your feedback.


    New Comment: Neighbourhood Detective, about 1 month ago

    Hello,

    I'm still unsure whether areas of the city still on septic systems will be provided with sanitary services to connect to. Is this something under consideration?

    Reply: Sarah Lang, about 1 month ago

    Thank you for your comment.

    The Integrated Sanitary Master Plan does not include new sanitary sewers for areas currently serviced by septic systems.

    This is outside the scope of this study. We consider new sanitary services on a case-by-case basis while planning road reconstructions. As the City of Kitchener expands the sewer system, the costs to provide new services are taken into consideration.

    Please note that the City does not pay for work on private property. New services are built within the municipal right-of-way only. Any work needed to convert a private septic system to connect with a municipal sanitary service is the property owner's responsibility.

    Please let me know if you have any questions.

  • Join the Virtual Public Information Centre #2 until Dec. 20

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    We are holding a Virtual Public Information Centre (PIC) to present the City of Kitchener Integrated Sanitary Master Plan study alternative solutions and recommended solutions. We want to hear from you!

    Please provide comments in the Forum until Dec. 20, 2023.

    You can also ask a question in the Questions section or email a project team member directly until Jan. 7, 2024.

    Find proposed project locations using the interactive map until Jan. 7, 2024.

    You can watch the presentation or download the presentation slides and transcript at any time.

    If you have any accessibility requirements to participate in this study, please contact the City of Kitchener Project Manager. Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

  • Integrated Sanitary Master Plan Virtual Public Information Centre will start on December 6, 2023

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    We are holding a second online Public Information Centre (PIC) for the City of Kitchener Integrated Sanitary Master Plan study. You can read the full PIC 2 Notice here. During this PIC, we will discuss the alternative solutions and present recommended solutions. We want to hear from you!

    The PIC materials will be available starting on December 6, 2023, including:

    • A presentation and transcript
    • An interactive map

    Once the PIC begins, you can leave comments and respond to comments in the 'Forum' from December 6 to December 20. You can also ask a question in 'Questions' or email a project team member by January 7, 2024.

    If you have any accessibility requirements in order to participate in this study, please contact the City of Kitchener Project Manager. Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

  • Summary report for first PIC now available

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    Thanks for your comments and questions in 2022 for the Integrated Sanitary Master Plan Public Information Centre.

    During the first Public Information Centre we received comments and questions about the centralization of municipal sanitary systems and wastewater heat recovery. We also received non-sanitary related comments related to low-impact development, and stormwater management.

    Read the detailed Public Information Centre report

    We will host a second virtual Public Information Centre (PIC) from December 6 to December 20. In the second PIC will we present the preferred solution for your feedback. We will share details with you in late November.

  • Notice of Virtual Public Information Centre 1: City of Kitchener Integrated Sanitary Master Plan

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    A Virtual Public Information Centre (PIC) is being held online to present the background information on the City of Kitchener Integrated Sanitary Master Plan study. The PIC materials will be available starting on July 8, 2022. We want to hear from you!

    Please provide comments in the 'Forum', ask a question in 'Questions', or email directly to a member of the project team by August 8, 2022.

    The presentation and transcript are available for download under the 'Documents' section of this page.

    Please take a few seconds to answer our 'Quick Poll' to tell us what format you prefer for future PICs for the Integrated Sanitary Master Plan.

    If you have any accessibility requirements in order to participate in this study, please contact the City of Kitchener Project Manager. Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

  • Notice of Study Commencement: City of Kitchener Integrated Sanitary Master Plan

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    The City of Kitchener is undertaking an Integrated Sanitary Master Plan. The purpose of this Master Plan is to examine the City’s sanitary infrastructure needs in light of new planning policies, growth projections, and the current needs and issues that exist in our community. The Study is being undertaken within the City limits, as shown on the map.

    The Master Plan will review existing conditions, develop an assessment of alternative solutions for sanitary servicing, and identify the preferred alternative to support planned growth across the City. The preferred alternative will be identified following a technical review of alternatives, as well as input received from agencies, Indigenous communities and stakeholders.

    This EA Study is being undertaken as a Master Plan in accordance with the planning and design process as outlined in the Municipal Class EA document (2000, as amended) which is an approved process under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. This Master Plan is intended to satisfy the documentation and consultation requirements for Phase 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class EA process.

    How can I participate in this Study?

    We want to hear from you! Use the "Subscribe" button at the top right-hand corner to be added to our contact list. If you would like more information on the study, please use the contact information below.


    Jean Hao, P.Eng., PMP

    Design & Construction Project Manager

    Utility Planning and Programs

    City of Kitchener

    Phone: 519-741-2200 ext. 4156

    TTY: 1-866-969-9994

    Email: Jean.Hao@kitchener.ca


    Jeff Paul, P.Eng.

    Project Manager

    Stantec Consulting Ltd.

    600-171 Queens Avenue

    London ON N6A 5J7

    Phone: 519-319-5806

    Email: Jeff.Paul@stantec.com



    If you have any accessibility requirements in order to participate in this study, please contact the City of Kitchener Project Manager. Information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

Page last updated: 25 Jan 2024, 08:53 AM