Municipal Class EA

Watson Street Storm OutletMunicipal Class Environmental AssessmentPublic Information Centre

Wednesday February 15, 2017

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Purpose of the StudyThe City of London has initiated a study to improve how storm water is managed in the

Watson Park – Thames River area and Wellington Road Corridor.

The purpose of this Public Information Centre (PIC) is to present:

• Project background, including the need for storm water management improvements;

• Overview of the Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Process;

• Describe work undertaken to date, including existing and future conditions;

• Evaluation of alternative solutions;

• Identify preferred planning solutions; and

• Meet the project team.

Please take a comment form and a pen. As you review the information presented today, we encourage you to ask questions and provide feedback.

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Purpose of the Study - What is the problem?• There are currently three (3) storm sewer outlets to Watson Park with

no water quality controls within the catchment;• Grand Avenue Outlet• Watson Street Outlet• Oatman Drain Outlet

• Some sewers follow the original drain alignment and are located outside the road Right of Way (ROW) on private property (difficult access for maintenance).

• Anticipated development intensification along Wellington Road related to a future Rapid Transit corridor may increase impervious land areas and storm water (SWM) management requirements.

• In some locations storm sewer diameters decrease in the downstream direction reducing system capacity.

• Watson Oxbow wetlands are part of the current storm water management system and are sensitive to disruption or change.

• Portions of the Oatman Drain outlet drainage system are performing below current design standards, leading to historical basement flooding in the catchment area.

Legend!( Existing Storm Sewer Outlet

Existing Storm Sewer

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Purpose of the Study - What is the Opportunity?

• Realignment of the Oatman Drain storm sewer to Wellington Road provides the opportunity to upsize the storm sewers to meet current City of London design standards and develop a dedicated trunk sewer for the Wellington Road corridor.

• Opportunity to remove sewers from private property improving access and removing the need for easements.

• Opportunity to improve water quality throughout the overall catchment area.

• Opportunity to coordinate design and restoration with Rapid Transit projects.

Legend!( Existing Storm Sewer Outlet

STM Pipe

Study Area

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Study Area

• Land Use within the Study area is predominantly low density single detached residential, with some areas of medium density residential and commercial development, pockets of natural heritage features, and Victoria Hospital.

• While the majority of the study area is developed, there is potential for future infill development, including intensification of residential areas (single detached homes to townhouses) and expansion of the Wellington Road corridor under the City of London’s proposed London Plan and Rapid Transit initiative.

LegendStudy Area

London Plan Place TypeGreen Space

Institutional

Neighbourhoods

Rapid Transit Corridor

*Place Type Land Uses from the City of London's “London Plan” . Adopted by City Council June 2016 and currently under review by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs as the Official Plan.

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Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Schedule B) Process

Phase 1: Problem or Opportunity

Phase 2: Alternative Solutions Implementation

Identify problem or opportunity Identify Alternative Solutions to problem or opportunity

Inventory natural environment, social and economic environment

Consult the public, agencies and other stakeholders regarding problem or

opportunity and high level alternative solutions

Identify impacts of alternative solutions on the environment, and mitigation measures

Evaluate alternative solutions and identify recommended solutions

Consult the public and agencies regarding the recommended solution

Select preferred solution

Project file placed on Public Record

Notice of Completion issued for Schedule ‘B’ Projects, 30 Day Review Period.

Complete drawing and documents

Proceed to construction and operation

Monitor for environmental provision and commitments

We are here!

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Existing Conditions – Storm Water/Drainage (Minor System)• The local minor system drainage is conveyed via storm sewers and municipal drains

through the Study Area corridor.

• Some portions of the Oatman Drain storm sewer network follow the original FoxbarCreek alignment and are located outside of the road ROW.

• The Oatman Drain outlet is currently undersized.

• Portions of Oatman Drain outlet drainage system are performing below current design standards. This has led to historical flooding impacts in the catchment.

• The Watson Street sewer (600mm diameter sewer) is currently undersized and cannot receive additional flows.

• The pipe diameter at the intersection of Wellington Road and Rowntree Avenue reduces from 1,350 mm to 450 mm, significantly impacting the sewer capacity.

• Residual capacity is available in the Grand Avenue and Watson Street outlets.

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Existing Conditions – Storm Water/Drainage (Major System)

• Major (overland) flow routes are along the road and follow the general path of the existing storm sewer with the exception of Oatman Drain from Moore Street to its outlet at Watson Park.

• Several sag locations are present within the Oatman Drain major system that force flow overland through private property. They are generally located at:

• Emery Street at Wellington Road;• Wellington Road at Moore Street;• Wellington Road at Bond Street;• Wellington Road at Weston Street; and• Wellington Road at Watson Street.

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Existing Conditions – Natural Environment • Natural Heritage features primarily relate to the Thames River and Watson Park including four (4) specific

vegetation communities and two (2) wetland communities.

• Numerous fish species (eg. Small Mouth Bass) reside within the Thames River.

• Two (2) Species at Risk species were confirmed within the Study Area, including Barn Swallow and Eastern Wood-Pewee.

Eastern Wood-Pewee Barn Swallow

LegendStudyArea

CUM1-1: Dry-Moist Old Field Meadow

FOD4: Dry-Fresh Deciduous Forest

MAM: Meadow Marsh

MAM2-2: Reed Canary Grass Organic Meadow Marsh

SWD3: Silver Maple Mineral Deciduous Swamp

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Existing Conditions – Archaeology and Cultural Heritage Resources

• Archaeological resources potential is low, as the majority of the Study Area has been previously disturbed as a result of the former waste water treatment plant and subsequent redevelopment into parklands.

• There are 24 Heritage Properties within the Study Area. • Seven (7) Designated under the Ontario Heritage Act’• 17 listed on the City of London inventory (non-designated)

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Problem / Opportunity Statement

Improvements are required to the Watson Park drainage system to address issues relating to sewer capacity, underserviced areas, and known areas of historical flooding. Additionally, opportunities are to considered to provide improvements to address water quality and erosion control issues in Watson Park and the upstream catchment area, and to have regard for potential future land use changes and intensification along Wellington Road as a result of the City’s Rapid Transit initiative.

On a broader scale, improvements and adjustments to adjacent minor system catchments are also required to relieve capacity restrictions, improve water quality, and optimize the overall Watson Park area storm sewer system.

Vauxhall WWTP

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Alternative Solution 1: Do Nothing – Maintain Status Quo

Vauxhall WWTP

• No improvements or changes would be undertaken to address current and future storm water management requirements.

• The “Do Nothing” alternative represents what would likely occur if none of the alternative solutions were implemented.

• Oatman Drain will continue to discharge at the existing location.

• However, as part of required maintenance and infrastructure renewal:• A new Watson Street outlet would be sized to convey the 2-year event for the

existing Watson Street outlet drainage area• The existing 900mm outlet would be replaced with a similar sized outlet pipe and

headwall.

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Alternative Solution 2: Relocate Outlet to the Wellington Road Bridge, Realign Oatman Drain and Provide SWM Controls (OGS units) for Wellington Road ROW Only

Vauxhall WWTP

• New trunk storm sewer along Wellington Road to the existing outlet at Watson Street, for all catchments external to Wellington Road.

• A separate, smaller local storm sewer on Wellington Road with water quality control for the future widened Wellington Road (provided by three (3) Oil /grit separator (OGS ) units).

• Water quality control would only be provided to the Wellington Road roadallowance.

• Abandon the existing Oatman Drain and Grand Avenue outlets and upsize and replace the Watson Street outlet.

• No retrofitting of the existing Oatman Drain catchment would be provided and future infill development and intensification would require permanent private system (PPS) controls.

• Private property drainage and ponding improvements along Wellington Road by removing sag locations or the use of over-sized pipe.

kj

kj

kj

-

Wellington R

oad

High Street

Ridout Street South

Baseline Road East

Commissioners Road East

Grand Avenue

Wortley R

oad

Belgrave Avenue

FairviewAvenue

Baker Street

Bond Street

Weston Street

Upper Q

ueen Street

Windsor Avenue

Trevithen Street

Wilkins Street

Whetter Avenue

Moore Street

Chester Street

Raywood Avenue

Huntingdon D

rive

BrooksideStreet

Front Street

Chiddington Avenue

Alexandra Street

Langley Street

Rowntree Avenue

Emery Street East

Foxbar Road

Westm

inster Avenue

Cheviot Road

Cow

anAvenue

McKeon Avenue

McClary Avenue

Carfrae C

rescent

Rosel Crescent

Edna Street

Franklin Avenue

Belhaven Road

Victoria Hospital Entry

Gerrard Street

Com

pton Crescent

Connington Street

Garfield Avenue

Mountsfield Drive

Lincoln PlaceHerkim

er Street

Adelaide Street South

Averill Crescent

Thom

pson

Road

Croxton

Road

EastB

ellevue Avenue

McKenzie Avenue

Highland H

eights

St Neots

Driv

e

Ferguson Place

Lhsc Driveway

Southgate Street

Lyndhurst Place

Hickson Avenue

Tecumseh Avenue East

Ardaven Place

Cowan Crescent

AdareC

rescent

Torrington Crescent

Briscoe Street East

Kingsford

Crescent

Frank Place

Windsor Crescent

Waterman Avenue

Barons Court

Cowan Place

SandringhamC

rescent

Marla Crescent

Chiddington

Gate

Rockin

g ham Court

Mou

nt

sfield Crescent

Croxton

Road West

Kennon Place

Fairview Court

Averill Place

Chiddington Place

Huntingdon Place

Com

pton Place

Compton Court

-

Garfield Avenue

-

Tecumseh Avenue East

Baseline Road East

-

-

Emery Street East

-

-

--

-

-

-

-

Chester Street

-

Gerrard Street

--

Windsor Avenue

-

-

Chester Street

-

Emery Street East

McKenzie Avenue

Alternative Solution 2: Relocate Outlet to the Wellington Road Bridge,

Realign Oatman Drain and Provide SWM controls (OGS units) forWellington Road ROW Only

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¹ 0 250 500125 Metres

Legend

kj Proposed OGS

Wellington Road LocalStorm SewerProposed STM PipeUTRCA RegulatoryFloodlineLot Lines

Wellington Road Trunk StormSewer Sub-Catchment

Existing Sub-CatchmentExisting Sub-Catchment -Increased Runoff Coefficient

Wellington Road LocalStorm Sewer Sub-CatchmentProposed Additional Sub-Catchment

Proposed Outlet

Overview

1. Storm servicing addressed via installation of a trunk storm sewer along Wellington Road to and outlet at the Wellington Road bridge.

2. Installing a new outlet at the Wellington Road bridge discharging directly to the South Branch of the Thames River.

3. Abandon existing Watson Street, Oatman Drain and Grand Avenue outlets.

4. A separate local storm sewer would also be installed on Wellington Road to allow water quality control via three (3) Oil/Grit Separator units for a widened Wellington Road right-of-way under rapid transit planning.

5. Water quality control would only be provided to the Wellington Road corridor.

6. Potential conflicts with the watermain, sanitary sewer and utilities along Wellington Road.

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Alternative Solution 3: Maintain Watson Park Outlet, Realign Oatman Drain and Provide SWM Controls (OGS units) for Wellington Road ROW Only

Vauxhall WWTP

• New trunk storm sewer along Wellington Road to Watson Street outlet, for all catchments external to Wellington Road.

• Maintain existing outlet location at east end of Watson Street.

• A separate, smaller local storm sewer on Wellington Road to allow water quality control via OGS units for the future widening of Wellington Road.

• Water quality control would only be provided to the Wellington Road roadallowance.

• Abandon the existing Oatman Drain and Grand Avenue outlets.

• No retrofitting of the existing Oatman Drain catchment would be provided and future infill development and intensification would require permanent private system (PPS) controls.

• Private property drainage and ponding improvements along Wellington Road by removing sag locations or the use of over-sized pipe.

kj

kj

-

Wellington

Road

High Street

Ridout Street South

Baseline Road East

Commissioners Road East

Grand Avenue

Wortley R

oad

Belgrave Avenue

FairviewAvenue

Baker Street

Bond Street

Weston Street

Upper Q

ueenStreet

Windsor Avenue

Trevithen Street

Wilkins Street

Whetter Avenue

Moore Street

Chester Street

Raywood Avenue

Huntingdon D

rive

BrooksideStreet

Front Street

Chiddington Avenue

Alexandra Street

Langley Street

Rowntree Avenue

Emery Street East

Foxbar Road

Westm

inster Avenue

Cheviot Road

Cow

anAvenue

McKeon Avenue

McClary Avenue

Carfrae C

rescent

Rosel Crescent

Edna Street

Franklin Avenue

Belhaven Road

Victoria Hospital Entry

Gerrard Street

Com

pton Crescent

Connington Street

Garfield Avenue

Mountsfield Drive

Lincoln Place

Herkim

er Street

Adelaide Street South

Averill Crescent

Thom

pson

Road

Croxton

Road

EastB

ellevue Avenue

McKenzie Avenue

Highland H

eights

St Neots

Driv

e

Ferguson Place

Lhsc Driveway

Southgate Street

Lyndhurst Place

Hickson Avenue

Tecumseh Avenue East

Ardaven Place

Cowan Crescent

AdareC

rescent

Torrington Crescent

Briscoe Street East

Kingsford

Crescent

Frank Place

Windsor Crescent

Waterman Avenue

Barons Court

Cowan Place

SandringhamC

rescent

Marla Crescent

Chiddington

Gate

Cowan

Court

Rockin

g ham Court

Mou

ntsfie

ld Crescent

Croxton

Road West

Kennon Place

Fairview Court

Averill Place

Chiddington Place

Huntingdon Place

Com

pton Place

Compton Court

-

Garfield Avenue

-

Tecumseh Avenue East

Baseline Road East

-

-

Emery Street East

-

-

--

-

-

-

-

Chester Street

-

Gerrard Street

--

Windsor Avenue

-

-

Chester Street

-

Emery Street East

McKenzie Avenue

Alternative Solution 3: Maintain Watson Park Outlet, Realign Oatman Drain and

Provide SWM Controls (OGS units) for Wellington Road ROW Only

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¹ 0 250 500125 Metres

Overview

1. Storm servicing addressed via installation of a trunk storm sewer along Wellington Road to the existing Watson Street outlet.

2. Abandon the existing Oatman Drain and Grand Avenue outlets.

3. Upsizing the existing Watson Street outlet.

4. A separate local storm sewer would be installed on Wellington Road with water quality control for a future widened Wellington Road right-of-way for rapid transit provided by two (2) Oil/Grit Separator units.

5. Water quality control would only be provided to the Wellington Road corridor.

6. Potential conflicts with the watermain, sanitary sewer and utilities along Wellington Road.

Legend

kj Proposed OGS

Wellington Road Local StormSewer

Proposed STM Pipe

UTRCA Regulatory Floodline

Wellington Road TrunkStorm Sewer Sub-Catchment

Existing Sub-Catchment

Existing Sub-Catchment -Increased Runoff Coefficient

Wellington Road Local StormSewer Sub-Catchment

Proposed Additional Sub-Catchment

Proposed Outlet

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Alternative Solution 4: Realign Oatman Drain and Provide End-of-Pipe Storm Water Management Facility (SWMF) Controls

• New trunk storm sewer along Wellington Road, conveying full upstream catchment area.

• Abandon the existing Oatman Drain and Grand Avenue outlets and replace the Watson Street outlet at the oxbow wetlands.

• The major overland flow path will be moved from private property to Wellington Road and follow the general path of the trunk storm sewer.

• Water quality controls would be achieved for the whole of the existing catchment area through an end-of-pipe Storm Water Management Facility (SWMF)in area of oxbow wetlands.

-

Wellington

Road

High Street

Ridout Street South

Baseline Road East

Commissioners Road East

Grand Avenue

Wortley R

oad

Belgrave Avenue

FairviewAvenue

Baker Street

Bond Street

Weston Street

Upper Q

ueenStreet

Windsor Avenue

Trevithen Street

Wilkins Street

Whetter Avenue

Moore Street

Chester Street

Raywood Avenue

Huntingdon D

rive

BrooksideStreet

Front Street

Chiddington Avenue

Alexandra Street

Langley Street

Rowntree Avenue

Emery Street East

Foxbar Road

Westm

inster Avenue

Cheviot Road

Cow

anAvenue

McKeon Avenue

McClary Avenue

Carfrae C

rescent

Rosel Crescent

Edna Street

Franklin Avenue

Belhaven Road

Victoria Hospital Entry

Gerrard Street

Com

pton Crescent

Connington Street

Garfield Avenue

Mountsfield Drive

Lincoln Place

Herkim

er Street

Adelaide Street South

Averill Crescent

Thom

pson

Road

Croxton

Road

EastB

ellevue Avenue

McKenzie Avenue

Highland H

eights

S t Neo

tsDr

ive

Ferguson Place

Lhsc Driveway

Southgate Street

Lyndhurst Place

Hickson Avenue

Tecumseh Avenue East

Ardaven Place

Cowan Crescent

AdareC

rescent

Torrington Crescent

Briscoe Street East

Kingsford

Crescent

Frank Place

Windsor Crescent

Waterman Avenue

Barons Court

Cowan Place

SandringhamC

rescent

Marla Crescent

Chiddington

Gate

Cowan

Court

Rockin

g ham Court

Mou

ntsfie

ld Crescent

Croxton

Road West

Kennon Place

Fairview Court

Averill Place

Chiddington Place

Huntingdon Place

Com

pton Place

Compton Court

-

Garfield Avenue

-

Tecumseh Avenue East

Baseline Road East

-

-

Emery Street East

-

-

--

-

-

-

-

Chester Street

-

Gerrard Street

--

Windsor Avenue

-

-

Chester Street

-

Emery Street East

McKenzie Avenue

Alternative Solution 4: Realign Oatman Drain and Provide End-of-Pipe Storm

Water Management Facility (SWMF) Controls

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¹ 0 250 500125 Metres

Legend

Proposed STM Pipe

UTRCA Regulatory Floodline

Approximate Pond Location

Wellington Road Trunk StormSewer Sub-CatchmentWellington Road Trunk Storm Sewer Sub-Catchment

Existing Sub-Catchment

Existing Sub-Catchment - Infill DevelopmentConsidered

Proposed Additional Sub-Catchments

Proposed Outlet

SWMF

Overview

1. Storm servicing addressed via the installation of a trunk storm sewer along Wellington Road, abandoning the existing Oatman Drain and Grand Avenue outlets and upsizing and replacing the Watson Street outlet.

2. The major overland flow path will be moved from private property to Wellington Road and follow the general path of the trunk storm sewer

3. Retrofitting the existing catchment with water quality controls would be achieved through an end of-pipe stormwater management facility (SWMF).

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Alternative Solution 4: Realign Oatman Drain and Provide End-of-Pipe SWM Facility (SWMF) controls

Vauxhall WWTP

Preliminary / Conceptual Storm Water Management Facility

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Evaluation Criteria and Matrix

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Evaluation Criteria and Matrix

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Recommended Solution & RationaleAlternative 4 Realign Oatman Drain and Provide End-of-Pipe SWM Facility (SWMF) controls

• Least impact to Wellington Road users and land uses based on single trunk sewer and smaller construction footprint.

• Potential fewer utility and future Rapid Transit conflicts based on single trunk sewer and smaller construction footprint.

• Provides accessible outlet for maintenance.

• Least disruption to oxbow wetland function and provides opportunities for enhancements that can complement City’s “Back to the River/One River” initiative.

• Provides water quality enhancement to the whole of the upstream catchment area.

• Provides greatest flexibility in accommodating future sewer replacements and/or redevelopment in the upstream catchment area.

• Does not preclude future use of low impact development (LID) measures to replace and/or enhance proposed treatment alternatives.

• Best addresses the problem/opportunity statement.

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Class EA Commitment / Mitigation

Project design will ensure:

Natural Environment

• All regulatory requirements to protect the environment are followed• A tree protection and replanting plan is prepared• Construction occurs outside of the nesting bird window• A visual reptile survey is prepared

Social Environment

• Access disruption to Watson Park will be addressed by maintaining access and detours around working areas• Traffic management plan will be developed to minimize disruption during construction• Access to existing residences, businesses, and institutions-commercial areas will be maintained during and after

construction

Restoration

• All disturbed areas will be restored to current or better condition than previous

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What Happens Next?

Winter 2017

• See project website for a copy of the display materials• Receive public comments by March 3, 2017• Project Team will review comments from the public, stakeholders, the City and review agencies

Spring2017

• Prepare Environmental Impact Study• Prepare Environmental Assessment (EA) Project File Report• File EA Project File Report for 30-day review period

Fall 2017

• Design including approvals• Tender• Construction (To Be Confirmed, Subject to City Review)

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What Happens Next?

To join our mailing list please leave us an email or mailing address

Project Website: http://www.london.ca/residents/Environment/EAs/Pages/EA-Watson-Street-Storm-Outlet.aspx

Doug Law, C.E.T.Senior TechnologistCity of London519.661.2500 x5896dlaw@london.ca

Peter McAllister, P.Eng, PMPSenior Project ManagerAECOM Canada Ltd.519.963.5865peter.mcallister@aecom.com

We appreciate the time you have taken to learn more about this Project and we value your input. To stay involved and receive further updates as this Project progresses please contact:

Members of the public having concerns about the potential environmental effects of this project or the process being followed have a responsibility to bring their concerns to the attention of the City early in the process, when the City has

greater flexibility to accommodate changes in the project development and the process.