Project Description:

The Clarke Area sewershed consists of an area of approximately 70 hectares located east of the Welland Canal and north of Killaly Street East. This area was identified in the City’s 2007 Pollution Control and Infrastructure Study as a priority to investigate and remediate sources of inflow and infiltration. The area is primarily composed of residential properties however several industrial, commercial, and institutional properties are located within the study area.

Niagara Region’s 2016 Master Servicing Plan Update noted that trunk sewers in the Clarke Area sewershed are approaching capacity within the 2041 planning horizon and that significant areas of high wet weather flows and system overflows need to be managed to allow for future growth.

The goal of this project is to identify and address sources of excessive inflow and infiltration that can overwhelm the sewer system, leading to issues like sewer overflows, increased treatment costs, and potential environmental impacts.

The project involves a comprehensive assessment of the sewer system, including inspections, flow monitoring, and analysis to identify areas of concern within the Clarke Area sewershed.

Background:

An inflow and infiltration project is a wastewater management initiative aimed at reducing or eliminating the entry of unwanted water into a sanitary sewer system. Inflow refers to the introduction of surface water (such as rainwater or snowmelt) into the sewer system through improper connections, such as downspouts or sump pumps. Infiltration, on the other hand, occurs when groundwater seeps into the sewer system through cracks, leaks, or deteriorated pipes.

The purpose of an inflow and infiltration project is to identify and address sources of excessive inflow and infiltration that can overwhelm the sewer system, leading to issues like sewer overflows, increased treatment costs, and potential environmental impacts. The project typically involves a comprehensive assessment of the sewer system, including inspections, flow monitoring, and analysis to identify areas of concern.

Once problem areas are identified, various measures can be implemented as part of the project. This may include repairing or replacing damaged pipes, improving sewer infrastructure, disconnecting improper connections, and implementing stormwater management practices to reduce the entry of surface water into the system.

External Support:

Civica is an industry leader in Inflow and Infiltration monitoring, analysis and remediation . Their highly qualified team consists of engineers, network modelers, field crews and remediation teams. With a complete inhouse support team, this firm is able to provide comprehensive, responsive and coordinated solutions.

Approved Budget:

Total Approved Budget: $500,000

• City Funding: $250,000
• Niagara Region Combined Sewer Overflow Control Program: $250,000

Grants:

The City of Port Colborne and the Niagara Region are working together to reduce the amount of inflow and infiltration entering the sanitary sewer system through the Combined Sewer Overflow Control Program.

This project has been approved in the Niagara Region’s 2022 program. The cost-sharing program funds municipal projects to target inflow and infiltration reduction, which helps to reduce basement flooding, overflows to the environment and alleviates system capacity. Some examples of municipal projects funded through the program include:

• Studies: Targeted investigative work is completed on the sanitary system to assess the condition of infrastructure and to identify sources of inflow and infiltration. Flow monitoring is an example of an important study used to narrow down the location of possible high inflow and infiltration locations.
• Sewer separation projects: Combined systems are separated by the installation of new storm sewers
• Overflow storage tanks: Large underground tanks are used to store excess wastewater during heavy rain or snowmelt events. Once the wet weather event is over and capacity in the system is restored, the wastewater is pumped back into the pipes and transported to wastewater treatment plants to be treated.

Estimated Completion:

November 2024