Additional Water Supply Plant Capacity for the
Newcastle Urban Area, Municipality of Clarington
Class Environmental Assessment Addendum
Final
September 26, 2016
Prepared for:
September 26, 2016
RVA 163288
The Regional Municipality of Durham
Works Department
605 Rossland Road East, Level 5
Whitby, Ontario
L1N 6A3
Attention: Mr. Donald Yu, P.Eng.
Project Manager
Dear Donald:
Re: Class Environmental Assessment Addendum
Additional Water Supply Plant Capacity for the Newcastle Urban Area, Municipality
of Clarington
Please find enclosed three (3) originals of the Class Environmental Assessment (EA)
Addendum for the referenced project.
Please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned if you have any questions.
Yours very truly,
R.V. ANDERSON ASSOCIATES LIMITED
Zoran Filinov, P.Eng.
Project Manager
Encls.
R:\2016\163288 - Newcastle Water Treatment Plant Expansion\ProjectData\Class EA\163288-20160926-Newcastle WSP Expansion-Class EA Addendum ReportFinal.docx
1
Additional Water Supply
Plant Capacity for the
Newcastle Urban Area,
Municipality of Clarington
Class Environmental Assessment
Addendum
In Association With:
Final
Andrews Hofmann & Associates Inc.
The Regional Municipality of
Durham
This document is protected by copyright and was prepared by
R.V. Anderson Associates Limited for the account of the
Durham Region. It shall not be copied without permission. The
material in it reflects our best judgment in light of the information
available to R.V. Anderson Associates Limited at the time of
preparation. Any use which a third party makes of this report, or
any reliance on or decisions to be made based on it, are the
responsibility of such third parties. R.V. Anderson Associates
Limited accepts no responsibility for damages, if any, suffered
by any third party as a result of decisions made or actions based
on this report.
RVA 163288
September 26, 2016
Newcastle WSP Expansion
TOC - 1
ADDITIONAL WATER SUPPLY PLANT CAPACITY FOR THE NEWCASTLE
URBAN AREA, MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................ 1
1.0
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................ 1
1.1
1.2
2.0
Project Objective ..................................................................................... 1
Class Environmental Assessment Addendum ......................................... 1
HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2005 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY REPORT ..................... 2
2.1
2.2
Existing and Future Water Demands ....................................................... 3
Regulatory Requirements ........................................................................ 5
2.2.1
2.2.2
3.0
ADDENDUM ACTIVITIES .................................................................................. 6
3.1
3.2
3.3
Public, Agency, First Nations and Aboriginal Consultation ....................... 6
Archaeological Assessment..................................................................... 8
Natural Environment Inventory and Impact Assessment.......................... 8
3.3.1
3.3.2
4.0
Water Quality .........................................................................................11
Conceptual Treatment Train Selection ...................................................11
Intake Pipe Hydraulic Capacity ...............................................................13
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................14
5.1
5.2
6.0
Potential Impacts ......................................................................... 9
Mitigation ..................................................................................... 9
CONCEPTUAL INVESTIGATIONS AND ASSESSMENT .................................11
4.1
4.2
4.3
5.0
Clean Water Act (2006) ............................................................... 5
Ontario Drinking Water Standards, Objectives and Guidelines
(2003) .......................................................................................... 5
30 Day Review Period ............................................................................14
Approval Requirements ..........................................................................14
REFERENCES ..................................................................................................15
APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1
APPENDIX 2
APPENDIX 3
APPENDIX 4
APPENDIX 5
APPENDIX 6
APPENDIX 7
Durham Region
September 26, 2016
- Public, Agency, First Nations, and Aboriginal Consultation
- Archaeological Assessment (Archeoworks)
- Natural Environment Inventory and Impact Assessment (LGL)
- Technical Memorandum No. 1 – Water Quality Report (AH&A)
- Technical Memorandum No. 2 – Conceptual Water Treatment Train
Selection (RVA)
- Technical Memorandum No. 3 – Intake Pipe Hydraulic Capacity (RVA)
- Conceptual Plans
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Newcastle WSP Expansion and the Port of Newcastle SPS
ES - 1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2005, the Region of Durham completed a Class Environmental Assessment (EA)
Study for “Additional Water Supply Plant Capacity for the Newcastle Urban Area”. The
selected preferred alternative was to expand the Newcastle Water Supply Plant (WSP)
on the existing site at 5 Lakebreeze Drive, in the Village of Newcastle, Ontario.
The design and construction work on the Newcastle WSP expansion has not
commenced, and it has been more than 10 years since the filing of the original
Environmental Study Report.
In May 2016, the Region initiated an Addendum to the Municipal Class Environmental
Assessment to review the planning and design process and the current environmental
setting to ensure that the project and mitigation measures are still valid given the current
planning context and legislation.
This project addresses two existing facilities located at 5 Lakebreeze Drive in the Village
of Newcastle, Municipality of Clarington:
•
The Newcastle Water Supply Plant (WSP) - a surface water treatment facility
with a capacity of 95 L/s (8,180 m3/d).
•
The Port of Newcastle Sewage Pumping Station (SPS) - an in-ground facility
with submersible pumps and capacity of 6.25 L/s (540 m3/d).
To account for the Newcastle area’s projected population growth a “Schedule C” Class
Environmental Assessment (EA) was conducted, for the planned expansion of the
Newcastle WSP in two or three stages:
1. Initial expansion of the plant’s capacity to 190 L/s (16,400 m3/d)
2. Future expansion of the plant to 275 L/s (24,600 m3/d)
3. Ultimate expansion of the plant to 380 L/s (32,800 m3/d).
The EA included a recommendation for the addition of an in-ground water storage tank
for respective increase in storage capacity on site in the future.
The Class EA also recommended that a new SPS be constructed on the same site to
replace the existing Port of Newcastle SPS. The new SPS would be sized to receive the
wastewater flows of the ultimate expansion, as well as flows from adjacent residential
developments and a marina.
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ES - 2
This report has been prepared as part of the Class EA Addendum to address any
changes in the environmental, social, operational or capital cost conditions related to the
site and the project.
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1.0
INTRODUCTION
1.1
Project Objective
Page 1
The existing Newcastle Water Supply Plant (WSP) at 5 Lakebreeze Drive, in the
Municipality of Clarington is owned and operated by Durham Region. It has been
supplying drinking water to the Village of Newcastle since 1977, and the Hamlet of
Newtonville since 1990.
Based on existing development, registered pending lots and planned development,
Durham Region undertook a Schedule ‘C’ Class Environmental Assessment in 2005 to
evaluate alternatives for providing additional water supply capacity for the Newcastle
Urban Area.
The recommendations documented in the Environmental Study Report (ESR) are as
follows:
1.2
•
The preferred alternative is the expansion of the Newcastle WSP on the existing
site, with first phase increasing capacity to 16,360 m3/day.
•
The preferred treatment process be chosen on the basis of a detailed process
and lifecycle cost at the preliminary design stage of the Newcastle WSP
expansion.
•
The expansion could be required as early as 2010; therefore, the Region should
monitor water production at the Newcastle WSP and initiate design of the
expansion accordingly.
Class Environmental Assessment Addendum
Since the completion of the Class EA, the design and construction work on the
Newcastle WSP expansion has not commenced, and it has been more than 10 years
since the filing of the original Environmental Study Report.
Due to the time lapse, in accordance with the MEA Municipal Class Environmental
Assessment document, an Addendum to the ESR must be conducted to review the
planning and design process and the current environmental setting to ensure that the
project and the mitigation measures are still valid given the current planning context.
Notice of Filing of this Addendum will be placed on the public record with the original
ESR and shall be given to the public and to the review agencies. A period of 30 calendar
days shall be provided for review and response. Only the proposed changes and
recommendations in this Addendum are open for review. Copies of the correspondence
with the stakeholders are included in Appendix 1.
Durham Region
September 26, 2016
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2.0
Page 2
HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2005 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY REPORT
A Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) is an approved planning
procedure that proponents can follow in order to meet the requirements of the Ontario
Environmental Assessment Act. The Class EA approach provides for the evaluation of
alternative solutions to a problem or opportunity, and includes mandatory requirements
for public and regulatory agency input.
As stated in the original ESR, the construction of a new water treatment plant or
expansion of an existing one beyond its rated capacity is considered a Schedule C
undertaking.
Schedule C projects have the potential for significant environmental effects and must
proceed under the full planning and documentation procedures specified in the Class EA
document. Schedule C projects require evaluation of alternative solutions and alternative
design concepts of the preferred solution.
The following phases of the planning process were previously completed in accordance
with the MEA Municipal Class EA document:
• Phase 1 -
Identify the problem (deficiency) or opportunity.
• Phase 2 -
Identify alternative solutions to address the problem or opportunity
by taking into consideration the existing environment, and
establish the preferred solution taking into account public and
review agency input.
• Phase 3 -
Examine alternative methods of implementing the preferred
solution, based upon the existing environment, public and review
agency input, and anticipated environmental effects.
• Phase 4 -
Document in an ESR a summary of the rationale and the planning,
design and consultation process of the project as established
through the above phases.
The following sections of this report addresses previous assumptions, context, and
legislation that have changed since the previous planning and design process
undertaken in the original Class EA.
Additional Archaeological Assessment and Natural Environment Inventory and Impact
Assessment Studies were completed. Copies are included in Appendices 2 and 3,
respectively.
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2.1
Page 3
Existing and Future Water Demands
The original Class EA noted that the primary purpose of this project is to provide
additional water supply capacity for the Newcastle Urban Area and Hamlet of
Newtonville. The Orono Urban Area is serviced by a separate municipal well, and there
may be potential that municipal water to this area will be supplied by the Newcastle WSP
in the future. At the time of the original Class EA, the actual date of any servicing of the
Orono Urban Area could not be determined as it was subject to the Greenbelt Plan,
which restricts opportunities for water servicing.
The following Table 2.1 provides the historical water demands, presented in the 2005
Environmental Study Report, for the Newcastle Urban Area and Hamlet of Newtonville.
Table 2.2 presents updated historical water demands from years 2011 to 2015, from
data provided by Durham Region.
Table 2.1 – Historical Water Demands for the Newcastle WSP Service Area
(including Hamlet of Newtonville) as presented in 2005 ESR
Year
Item
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
Average Flows (m3/day)
1,957
1,830
2,080
2,150
2,110
Maximum Day (m3/day)
4,181
3,138
4,835
5,101
4,740
Service Population
7,447
7,708
6,536
6,980
7,424
Maximum Day per Capita
Consumption Rate (Lpcd)
561
407
740
731
639
Average per Capita Water
Consumption
262
237
318
308
284
Ratio Maximum Day Demand
to Average Day Demand
2.14
1.71
2.32
2.37
2.25
Table 2.2 – Historical Water Demands for the Newcastle WSP Service Area
(including Hamlet of Newtonville)
Year
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2,523
2,518
2,459
2,480
2,400
Maximum Day (m /day)
5,864
5,149
4,864
4,500
4,400
Service Population
10,075
10,451
10,694
10,956
11,159
Maximum Day per Capita
Consumption Rate (Lpcd)
582
493
455
411
394
Average per Capita Water
Consumption
250
241
230
226
215
Item
Average Flows (m3/day)
3
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Page 4
Year
Item
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Ratio Maximum Day Demand
to Average Day Demand
2.33
2.04
1.98
1.82
1.83
The ESR noted that the service population for the Newcastle Urban Area and Hamlet of
Newtonville would grow to approximately 43,083 by the year of 2031, for a projected
maximum daily water demand of 29,512 m3/day (342 L/s). Table 2.3 below provides for
forecasted projections and maximum day demands as presented in the ESR.
Table 2.3 – Population and Water Demand Projections for the Newcastle WSP
Service Area (including Hamlet of Newtonville) as presented in 2005 ESR
Regional Planning Projections
Maximum Day Demand
Year
Service Population
m3/day
2005
8,312
5,693
2011
10,893
7,491
2021
15,057
10,313
2031
19,197
13,149
Table 2.4 below presents updated forecasts based on information provided by Durham
Region.
Table 2.4 – Population and Water Demand Projections for the Newcastle WSP
Service Area (including Hamlet of Newtonville)
Regional Planning Projections
Maximum Day Demand
Year
Service Population
m3/day
2016
11,814
6,309
2021
15,091
8,536
2031
21,644
12,991
The original ESR stated that the first plant expansion could be required between 2010
and 2013. Based on actual population growth data collected since the 2005 Class EA,
and updated population forecasts, the first plant expansion would be required between
2019 and 2022.
Durham Region
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Newcastle WSP Expansion and the Port of Newcastle SPS
2.2
Page 5
Regulatory Requirements
This section of the Class EA Addendum discusses regulatory changes related to the
water treatment plant.
2.2.1
Clean Water Act (2006)
The Clean Water Act (O.Reg. 287/07) was introduced in 2006 to address the
recommendations from the Walkerton Inquiry to protect drinking water at its source. The
Act was came into effect after the completion of the original Class EA.
This new regulation requires municipalities, through consultation with their local Source
Protection Committees, to assess existing and potential threats to their drinking water,
and subsequently implement measures to mitigate or eliminate such threats.
For the Class EA Addendum, Trent Conservation Coalition Source Protection Region
was consulted to review applicable requirements under the Clean Water Act. Based on
discussions with the Program Coordinator of Trent Conservation Coalition, and the
proposed scope of work for the Newcastle WSP expansion project, it has been
determined that the new regulations are not applicable to this project.
The plant expansion will not involve the construction of a new intake, or modifications to
the existing 600 mm diameter intake pipe that is installed at the bottom of Lake Ontario.
The Newcastle WSP was originally designed to discharge supernatant from the filter
backwash water, back to Lake Ontario. The Region’s Municipal Drinking Water License
(MDWL) and Drinking Water Works Permit (DWWP) require monthly composite
sampling of suspended solids in the supernatant effluent at the point of discharge, to
confirm that the total suspended solids (TSS) concentration is below 15 mg/L. However,
the Region currently does not discharge supernatant to Lake Ontario due to operational
constraints within the plant, and all of the filter backwash water flow is sent to the
sanitary sewer system.
The design of the WSP expansion would optimize and improve the filter backwash
process waste, to allow the Region to discharge supernatant water back to Lake Ontario.
Any water discharges to the natural environment will need to be dechlorinated, and have
a total suspended solids (TSS) concentration of less than 15 mg/L.
2.2.2
Ontario Drinking Water Standards, Objectives and Guidelines (2003)
The latest requirements, objectives and guidelines of the Ontario Drinking Water
Standards (ODWS) O.Reg. 169/03 are discussed in Section 4.1 and Technical
Memorandum No. 1 in Appendix 4.
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September 26, 2016
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3.0
ADDENDUM ACTIVITIES
3.1
Public, Agency, First Nations and Aboriginal Consultation
One of the essential components of the EA process is public, agency, First Nations and
aboriginal participation. This Class EA Addendum involved notifying all potentially
affected members of the public and review agencies, including those who were notified
in the original ESR. In addition, the First Nations and Aboriginal communities were not
specifically consulted during the Class EA, and were included in the distribution list for
this Addendum.
Notices for the Class EA Addendum included publication in local newspapers, posting on
the Durham Region website, mail and hand delivery. Copies of the notices and
comments received from authority agencies, First Nation communities and the general
public are provided in Appendix 1. Responses from the Region and R.V. Anderson
Associates Limited to the received comments are also included in Appendix 1.
A summary of the public and agency feedback comments are summarized in Table 3.1.
Table 3.1 – Summary of Public, Agency and First Nations Feedback
Name / Agency
Comment / Request
Resolution
Ministry of Environment
and Climate Change –
Central Region (MOECC)
MOECC issued letter on June 7, 2016
requesting that the ‘existing and future
water demands’ be updated, and to
consult with the Source Protection
Authority (Trent Conservation Coalition)
to discuss Source Water Protection.
Ganaraska Region
Conservation
Authority (GRCA)
confirmed on
September 16, 2016
that the approval
requirements under
the Clean Water Act
do not apply.
Infrastructure Ontario
(IO)
IO issued letter on June 7, 2016
requesting confirmation of any Ministry of
Economic Development, Employment
and Infrastructure (MEDEI) lands
proposed for the projects.
Confirmed with IO on
June 13, 2016 that
the project does not
impact MEDEI lands.
Ministry of Tourism,
Culture & Sport (MTCS)
MTCS issued letter on June 7, 2016
requesting a copy of the original ESR.
MTCS recommended screening for
archaeological, and heritage resources in
the study area.
Stage 1
Archaeological
Assessment was
performed to assess
archaeological and
heritage potential.
Report was submitted
to MTCS on August
22, 2016. MTCS
approval received on
September 6, 2016.
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Name / Agency
Comment / Request
Page 7
Resolution
Canadian Environmental
Assessment Agency
(CEAA)
CEAA issued letter on May 25, 2016
advising that the project does not fall
under the Regulations for a federal
environmental assessment.
No response
required.
Local Resident
More specifically, the air quality (odour)
due to emissions from the plant can be
unbearable at times. An expansion of
the facility would only increase the
probability of these occurrences and the
magnitude of the emissions.
It was clarified that
the concerns were
related to the
Wastewater
Treatment Plant on
Toronto Street, and
not the Newcastle
WSP.
Local Resident
We reside in a townhouse (on)
Lakebreeze Dr., Newcastle and are
presently on a sewage ejector/grinder
pump as are other homes. Our pumping
ejectors are to be removed upon
completion the sewage pumping station.
Is there a possibility the water supply
plant and the sewage pumping stations
will co-exist at the same location?
Region provided
response that sewage
ejector on the street
will be removed upon
completion of the
proposed sewage
pumping station. It is
the plan to co-exist
the water supply plant
and the sewage
pumping station at
the same location
(within the plant site).
Municipality of
Clarington
Durham Region arranged a meeting with
the Municipality to present conceptual
site plans and architectural renderings.
Requirements for Site
Plan Approval and
Building Permit will be
addressed during
design phase.
Curve Lake First Nation
Issued letter on August 26, 2016
advising that Curve Lake First Nation
Council is not currently aware of any
issues that would cause concern with
respect to our Traditional, Aboriginal and
Treaty rights.
No response
required.
Huron-Wendat First
Nation
Would it be possible for you to provide us
the shapefiles of the study zone?
R.V. Anderson
Associates Limited
provided property
location and
boundaries.
Shapefiles are not
being developed for
the project.
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September 26, 2016
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3.2
Page 8
Archaeological Assessment
A Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment (AA) was undertaken to support the Class EA
Addendum, to assess whether the site had archaeological potential. A copy of the Stage
1 AA Report is included in Appendix 2.
Background research revealed that a Stage 2 Archaeological Assessment was
previously performed on the entirety of the study area in 1992 where no archaeological
resources were encountered. It was determined that the study area is entirely disturbed
and devoid of archaeological resources, and that the study area has no further
archaeological concern.
A copy of the Stage 1 AA Report was submitted to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and
Sport (MTCS) on August 22, 2016. No construction activities shall take place within the
study area prior to the MTCS (Archaeology Programs Unit) confirming in writing that
all archaeological licensing and technical review requirements have been satisfied.
3.3
Natural Environment Inventory and Impact Assessment
A Natural Sciences Report included in Appendix 3 was prepared as part of the Class
EA Addendum to document the detailed review of natural inventories and analysis of
environmental impacts in relation to the preferred alternative.
The study identified the six (6) species at risk in the study area as summarized in Table
3.4.
Table 3.4 – Species at Risk in Study Area
Species
Designation
Bank
Swallow
Threatened
Nests in cliffs and bluffs
associated with waterbodies
Found nesting and foraging
to the west of the subject
property.
Peregrine
Falcon
Special Concern
Nests in cliffs next to bodies
of water
Not observed in study area.
Butternut
Endangered
Grows in rich, moist and welldrained soils along streams.
Also in well-drained gravel
sites.
Not observed in study area.
Milksnake
‘Not at risk’ as of
June 15, 2016.
Rural areas – prairies,
pastures, hayfields, hillsides,
forests in proximity of water.
Not observed in study area.
Snapping
Turtle
Special Concern
Freshwater aquatic habitat
Not observed in study area.
Redside
Dace
Endangered
Cold/cool water streams with
overhanging vegetation.
Not observed in study area.
Present in Graham Creek
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Habitat
Results
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Species
Designation
Habitat
Page 9
Results
according to 2016 LIO
records
A large Bank Swallow colony was observed west of the subject property. Bank Swallow
is a Species at Risk regulated under the 2007 Endangered Species Act. The Bank
Swallows were not noted in the original EA conducted for the project. Given that the
subject property and proposed project footprint will occur 200 m from the most eastern
limit of the Bank Swallow colony, a setback of the required 120 m is achieved. However,
it is still recommended that an Information Gathering Form be completed at the
detailed design stage to confirm with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
(MNR) that a permit is not required, and ensure that mitigation planning for this specified
is considered.
3.3.1
Potential Impacts
The activities required to implement the preferred alternative have the potential to impact
terrestrial and aquatic habitat within and adjacent to the project site. Some of these
impacts are short term, such as construction related impacts, while others may be more
long term. It is anticipated that once mitigation measures are applied, the risk of impact
to the natural environment is low. Potential impacts that were identified in the Natural
Sciences Report include:
3.3.2
•
Loss of vegetation;
•
Loss of tree resources;
•
Erosion of slope;
•
Disruption to birds during nesting season;
•
Disruption to wildlife and wildlife habitat;
•
Impairment of water quality; and,
•
Erosion and Sedimentation.
Mitigation
Construction impacts largely relate to the grading and removal of vegetation
communities, active construction of new buildings, installation of slope protection
measures, etc. Construction mitigation recommendations include:
•
Minimizing the footprint of the construction and long-term footprint of the WSP as
a first step to avoid impacts;
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•
Restoration or replacement of any impacted terrestrial communities in a one-forone land basis to as-is or better conditions, in consultation with Ganaraska
Region Conservation Authority (GRCA);
•
Any vegetation removals must be in compliance with the Migratory Birds
Convention Act (MBCA) including, but not limited to, adhering to timing
restrictions during breeding season for tree pruning or removal during
construction activities;
•
Incidental wildlife found within the construction zone should be removed by
qualified individuals;
•
Ensure that temporarily disturbed areas (including slopes) are adequately
restored with native and non-invasive vegetation post-construction;
•
Ensure that construction activities are adequately contained with erosion
and sediment control (ESC) measures and that sediment laden drainage is
intercepted as close to the source as possible;
•
Refueling of equipment should all be done offsite due to the sensitivity of the
area. A spill control plan should be developed in order to provide appropriate spill
control and containment if necessary. It is recommended refueling areas are
located at least 30 meters away from the shoreline.
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4.0
CONCEPTUAL INVESTIGATIONS AND ASSESSMENT
4.1
Water Quality
Page 11
Technical Memorandum No. 1 included in Appendix 4 was prepared as part of the
Class EA Addendum to review the existing raw water quality characteristics in Lake
Ontario based on data provided by the Region from 2003 to 2015 (following the
completion of the original Class EA).
Overall, the existing treatment processes at the Newcastle WSP are able to effectively
produce high quality water.
With respect to the design of the water treatment facility expansion, it is recommended
that the following items be considered:
•
Aluminum, has been identified as a parameter of interest, with distribution system
residuals exceeding the operational guidelines cyclically throughout the year.
This is likely related to inefficient coagulation during warm water periods;
•
Filter effluent turbidity increases seasonally with increasing water temperatures
(>10°). This could potentially be addressed through coagulation optimization;
•
Although below Ontario Drinking Water Standards (ODWS) objectives,
trihalomethanes (THMs) were observed in treated water (up to 93 µg/L) which
may be due to the elevated chlorine residuals (~2 mg/L) leaving the plant.
Taste and odour compounds such as methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin have been
observed in raw and treated waters. Overall, the treated water concentrations historically
have not exceeded the taste and odour thresholds, except in 2007. The Region’s
sampling has shown that increased algae concentrations are present in the raw water
during the warm water months. Optimized coagulation may help limit any potential
negative impacts that may be imposed on downstream filtration processes; however,
knowing that the ecology of the lake is changing, there is some concern that algae
events may become more frequent in the future.
Corrosion has not historically been a concern in the distribution network; continuing to
ensure optimal pH and chlorine residuals in the distribution network will minimize the
potential for corrosion of lead pipes.
4.2
Conceptual Treatment Train Selection
Technical Memorandum No. 2 included in Appendix 5 was prepared as part of the
Class EA Addendum to evaluate different treatment processes for the Newcastle WSP
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Page 12
expansion, and develop a short list of treatment train alternatives and to select a
conservative footprint and layout of the facilities on site.
The treatment process selection for the Newcastle WSP Expansion needs to consider
the following factors
•
Current and potential future changes of the raw water quality in Lake Ontario
•
Current and anticipated future drinking water regulatory requirements
•
Operational and Management Preferences by the Region
•
Unmanned operation and existing constraints and challenges at the plant
•
Compatibility for future expansions of the plant
The following is a listing of the treatment technologies considered, which are further
detailed in Technical Memorandum No. 2:
•
•
•
•
Four (4) alternatives for preliminary treatment (particulate removal):
o
Conventional Preliminary Treatment
o
Dissolved Air Floatation (DAF)
o
Ballasted Flocculation
o
Membrane Filtration
Three (3) alternatives for filtration (particulate removal):
o
Direct Filtration
o
Conventional Filtration
o
Membrane Filtration
Three (3) alternatives for disinfection to achieve the log removal credits to meet
regulatory requirements:
o
Chlorine
o
Ultraviolet (UV) Light
o
Ozone
Three (3) alternatives to address seasonal taste and odour aesthetic quality:
o
Advanced Oxidation
o
Granular Activated Carbon (GAC)
o
Powder Activated Carbon (PAC)
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Based on a conceptual evaluation of the treatment train alternatives presented in
Technical Memorandum No. 2, the following treatment trains were shortlisted:
Preliminary Treatment
Filtration
Taste & Odour
Primary Disinfection
Conventional
Dual Media Gravity
GAC in Filter
Chlorine
Dissolved Air Floatation
Dual Media Gravity
GAC in Filter
Chlorine
Dissolved Air Floatation
Dual Media Gravity
GAC in Filter
Ultraviolet
Dissolved Air Floatation
Dual Media Gravity
Advanced Oxidation
Ultraviolet
Dissolved Air Floatation
Membrane
Advanced Oxidation
Ultraviolet
In accordance with the original Class EA recommendations, the final treatment process
selection will take place during the Preliminary Design stage of the project.
4.3
Intake Pipe Hydraulic Capacity
Technical Memorandum No. 3 included in Appendix 6 was prepared to assess the
available capacity of the existing 600 mm diameter concrete intake pipe of the
Newcastle Water Supply Plant (WSP).
Based on theoretical calculations, the intake pipe would be able to support the current
plant expansion to the flowrate of 16,400 m3/d (190 L/s).
It is expected that flowrates beyond 19,870 m3/d (230 L/s) would require a secondary
intake pipe, or replacement of the intake with a larger pipe. This requirement would need
to be addressed during the future expansion to 32,800 m3/d (380 L/s) of the Newcastle
WSP.
The Region suspects that sediment has accumulated along the intake pipe over the
years, however this has never been visually confirmed. It is not known when the intake
pipe was last cleaned. The Technical Memorandum outlines a methodology to test the
actual hydraulic capacity of the existing intake pipe, by using rental pumps to perform
flow testing through the intake pipe. If the required flowrate cannot be achieved, the
cause of the flow restriction would need to be further investigated.
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CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Based on the findings in the preceding sections of this report, it has been determined
that the assumptions used in the original Class EA to determine the preferred solution
have largely remained unchanged and are still valid for the current planning context.
The recommendations that were documented in the ESR were as follows:
5.1
•
The preferred alternative is the expansion of the Newcastle WSP on the existing
site, with first phase increasing capacity to 16,360 m3/day.
•
The preferred treatment process be chosen on the basis of a detailed process
and lifecycle cost at the preliminary design stage of the Newcastle WSP
expansion.
•
The expansion could be required as early as 2010; therefore, the Region should
monitor water production at the Newcastle WSP and initiate design of the
expansion accordingly.
30 Day Review Period
The next step in the Class EA Addendum process is issue the Notice of Filing of
Addendum, and allow for a 30-day review period for interested public, agencies, First
Nations and aboriginals to review and provide comments to this report.
Provided that no Part II Orders are requested, the project will proceed to preliminary and
detailed design, obtaining approvals, and construction.
5.2
Approval Requirements
During the design phase of the project, various regulatory agencies having jurisdiction
would be contacted to obtain the necessary approvals for construction. It is anticipated
that the following approvals would be required:
•
Drinking Water Works Permit (DWWP) Amendment from the Ministry of the
Environment and Climate Change (MOECC)
•
Permit to Take Water from the MOECC
•
Site Plan Approval and Building Permit from the Municipality of Clarington
•
Approval from the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority (GRCA)
•
Approval from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS)
•
Approval from the Electrical Safety Authority (ESA)
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REFERENCES
[1] Totten Sims Hubicki Associates Limited, Environmental Study Report (Class
Environmental Assessment Additional Water Supply Plant Capacity of the Newcastle
Urban Area, June 2005.
[2] Totten Sims Hubicki Associates Limited, Newcastle Water Supply Plant Operations
Manual, June 2006.
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APPENDIX 1
PUBLIC, AGENCY, FIRST NATIONS AND
ABORIGINAL CONSULTATION
APPENDIX 2
ARCHAEOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
APPENDIX 3
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT INVENTORY
AND IMPACT ASSESSMENT
APPENDIX 4
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NO. 1
WATER QUALITY REPORT
APPENDIX 5
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NO. 2
CONCEPTUAL WATER TREATMENT
TRAIN SELECTION
APPENDIX 6
TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NO. 3
INTAKE HYDRAULIC CAPACITY
APPENDIX 7
CONCEPTUAL PLANS