While it may seem costly at first, underground infrastructure work approved by Centre Wellington council is replacing aging water and sewer lines, some of which predate the Second World War.
On March 18, council approved the report by Chief Financial Officer/treasurer Wes Snarr.
The report’s recommendation was that council approve the replacement of sanitary sewer and water mains in Fergus from Queen Street to Union Street as part of the Tower Street South bridge replacement project.
Mayor Joanne Ross-Zuj referenced the bridgework on Tower Street and the additional underground service work required by the municipality.
The idea is that doing the work at the same time as the bridge replacement will minimize the cost of replacing the infrastructure and avoiding future disruptions for residents.
Given the age of the underground infrastructure, and that much of the cost that would normally be incurred to replace only that infrastructure is already being funded by Wellington County as part of the road construction component, township staff feel it is prudent to proceed with replacement at the same time the road is being reconstructed.
Funding for the sewer and watermain replacement, estimated at up to $306,000 (net of the HST rebate), will come from sanitary sewer and waterworks capital reserves.
Denis Hollands, of Triton Engineering, explained the recommendation for extra work to be done in association with the Tower Street bridge replacement project.
Giving a synopsis of the proposal, Hollands said the extension would affect the stretch of Tower Street from Queen Street southerly to the Bridge/Union Street intersection.
He noted the current contract in partnership with Wellington County as part of the bridge replacement project includes reconstruction of the roadway and replacement of all infrastructure between Queen Street and St. Andrew Street.
Hollands said the county is now proposing to extend the road reconstruction, including storm drainage improvements where required, southerly from Queen Street to Union Street to complete upgrading of the street.
All this work would be completed while the street is closed and detours are in place for the bridge construction.
Underneath that street is a considerable amount of infrastructure owned by the municipality. These municipal services include sanitary sewer and watermains, which were recommended for replacement at the same time as the street is reconstructed.
Sanitary Sewers
Hollands said there is a section of 80-year-old trunk sanitary sewer on the west side. Another substandard, small-diameter sanitary sewer is on the east side, which also services the properties adjacent to the cenotaph (Norman Craig Square).
Hollands said what is proposed is replacement of the 80-year-old sewer, abandoning the east side sanitary sewer and constructing new sanitary services to the existing properties from the new trunk sewer on the west side. The cost estimate for this work is $185,000.
Watermains
At the same time, Hollands explained, there is a section of cast iron watermain that was constructed in 1964 between Queen Street and Union Street.
Part of this was replaced and upgraded in 1990 at the intersection of Tower Street and Union Street and Hollands recommended replacing what is left.
In addition, a new watermain would be constructed across Tower Street to Norman Craig Square to facilitate future replacement of the existing watermain in the square.
At that time the sanitary sewer in the square, which has been an ongoing maintenance problem for public works, would also be replaced.
The cost estimate for the watermain work is $155,000. The estimate includes allowances for engineering, unforeseen contingencies and HST. Ross-Zuj said the work would be paid for through water and sewer reserves.
Hollands added the county would be looking after the roadwork, as that part of Tower Street is a county road.
Councillor Fred Morris noted the bridge is set to reopen in November and questioned whether this additional work would be completed by the same time. Holland said the intent is to have the work done at the same time.
Council subsequently approved the report and the work to be done.
Ross-Zuj added, “It’s going to be lovely when it’s done, but until then, it’s going to be a mess.”
