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Water and Wastewater --

Frequently Asked Questions

Definitions and study location

Q1. What is the difference between a “Feedermain” and a “Watermain”?

A1. A feedermain is a large (in this case, 2400 mm or 96 inch diameter) pressurized pipe which is used to transfer water from one location to another. The reason it is called a feedermain is that it doesn’t have connections to homes or businesses along its route, but rather it feeds water into, in this case, a storage reservoir and pumping station. A watermain however, is generally a smaller pipe (at least 1 m diameter) used to carry water from the feedermain to points along the distribution system such as residential and business properties.

Q2. Why are the pipes called the “Hanlan Feedermain” and “Mississauga City Centre (MCC) Watermain”?

A2. The larger pipe is called the Hanlan Feedermain because it supplies water from the Lakeview Water Treatment Plant to the Hanlan Reservoir and Pumping Station located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Tomken and Britannia Roads. The name “Hanlan” is in honour of Canadian oarsman Edward (Ned) Hanlan who was declared world’s rowing champion from 1880 to 1884. The smaller pipe is called the Mississauga City Centre or MCC Watermain because it will supply more water from the existing distribution system to Mississauga City Centre, specifically along the Hurontario Street corridor.

Q3. Where is the study taking place?

A3. The study area is located in the eastern end of the City of Mississauga. It extends north-to-south, from the Lakeview Water Treatment Plant on the shores of Lake Ontario to just north of Britannia Road East (north of Highway 401), and from west-to-east, from just west of Kennedy Road to east of Dixie Road. See map

Purpose of the study

Q4. What is the purpose of this study?

A4. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive and environmentally sound planning process which is open to public participation, to select the preferred route for both a new large water supply pipe known as the “Hanlan Feedermain” and a new large water distribution pipe known as the “MCC Watermain.” Our objectives include:

  • Protection of the environment, as defined in the Environmental Assessment Act, through the wise management of resources;
  • Extensive consultation with all affected and interested parties, including participation of a broad range of stakeholders to allow for the sharing of ideas, education, testing of creative solutions and developing alternatives;
  • Facilitating dialogue between those with different interests;
  • Documentation of the study process in compliance with all phases of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) planning process; and
  • Mitigation and monitoring to ensure minimal disruption during construction to residents and businesses. 

Q5. Why is this secondary water supply pipe project necessary?

A5. As documented in the Region’s 2007 Water & Wastewater Master Plan Update, a new secondary feedermain is required to meet the Region’s future water supply needs, including intensification (i.e., increased population density) in the City of Mississauga and approved planned growth. The proposed feedermain will also address security of supply in the event of a disruption to the existing Hanlan Feedermain service, and provide opportunities to conduct maintenance and repairs on the existing pipe.

Similarly, the MCC Watermain is also needed for intensification in the City of Mississauga, specifically to ensure minimum water pressure is available to the Mississauga City Centre area.

Q6. How is this study being completed?

A6. The study is being conducted in accordance with the approved requirements for an Environmental Assessment (EA) as required by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and documented in the Municipal Engineers Association Municipal Class EA document (updated 2007). This Municipal Class EA is also addressing the requirements of the Ontario Realty Corporation (ORC) Class EA process with respect to anticipated land acquisitions/easements required from the ORC.

The EA process will include public review and agency consultation, an evaluation of both feedermain and watermain routing alternatives and design concepts, an assessment of the potential environmental effects of the proposed improvements, and identification of reasonable measures to address any adverse impacts that may result.

Q7.What will be the outcome of the study?

A7. Upon completion of the Class EA study, an Environmental Study Report (ESR) documenting the planning process followed and recommended routes will be prepared and placed on public record. Review agencies and the public will be notified of ESR filing and will be provided the opportunity to comment. Upon completion of the mandatory public review period (minimum 30-calendar day duration), the ESR will be finalized and subject to comments, the project(s) may proceed to detailed design & construction.

Background and existing conditions

Q8.How does this project link to the Region’s Water and Wastewater Master Plan?

A8. The Region of Peel’s Water and Wastewater Master Plan Addendum (2002) identified the need for a new secondary feedermain in the northern portion of the existing Hanlan Feedermain from Burnhamthorpe Road to the Hanlan Reservoir and Pumping Station. The Region’s recent Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update (2007) also identified the need for a new secondary feedermain in the southern portion of the existing Hanlan Feedermain from the Lakeview Water Treatment Plant to Burnhamthorpe Road. These two feedermains have now been combined into one project: the Hanlan Feedermain. This infrastructure needs to be in place by 2015 to provide water supply service for planned growth and associated municipal water demands.

Q9. What work has been done to date on the study?

A9. The

have been issued and can be found on the main Environmental Assessment website.
The first round of Public Open Houses were held on June 3rd and 4th, 2008 and presented study background information (Display Boards (PDF, 3.3MB)), potential Hanlan Feedermain routes and the proposed evaluation criteria to determine the preferred route.
The second round of Public Open Houses were held on June 2nd and 3rd, 2009 and presented the recommended routes, including construction methods, associated impacts and proposed mitigation measures (Display Boards (PDF, 7.5MB)).

We are now continuing to meet with various stakeholders and review agencies (e.g., City of Mississauga, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Ministry of Transportation, etc.) to obtain their input on the recommended routes. The input obtained from these meetings, as well as that received from the public, will be taken into consideration when deciding the final (preferred) route(s).

Q10. What is the existing Hanlan Feedermain and how old is it?

A10. The existing Hanlan Feedermain is an essential component of the Region’s lake-based (Lake Ontario) South Peel Water Supply System, that supplies municipal water (potable drinking water) to all of Mississauga, most of Brampton and some areas within Caledon. It was constructed in the early 1990’s and is located in a socially and environmentally sensitive area. Its southern section is located in a mature and well developed residential area, while the northern section follows the alignment of Little Etobicoke Creek.

Q11. How much water goes through the Feedermain per a day?

A11. The existing Hanlan Feedermain currently supplies over half the Region’s water supply per day. The new feedermain will be designed to transport approximately 500 megalitres per day (ML/d) to the Hanlan Reservoir and Pumping Station.  This is enough water to cover a CFL football field to a depth of approximately 200 feet (60 m) everyday.

Alternatives

Q12. How many alternative routes were considered?

A12. Three alternative routes, along with some variation of each, were identified for both the Hanlan Feedermain and MCC Watermain (maps) and carried forward for detailed and comparative evaluation as part of the Class EA process. Suggestions and input from the public and review agencies will also be considered as the planning process moves forward.

Q13. Are there alternative solutions to constructing the secondary feedermain pipe, such as water conservation?

A13. Earlier versions of the Region’s Water and Wastewater Master Plan evaluated alternative solutions such as water conservation, import water from another jurisdiction and “do nothing.” The recommended solution was identified as expansion of the existing system in conjunction with water conservation. Water conservation could reduce consumption requirements on a per person basis; however, planned growth requires access to a safe, secure supply of water. Even at reduced consumption levels, this feedermain will still be required to service municipal water demands. Water conservation is being addressed through the Region’s water efficiency strategy, Water Smart Peel.

Construction and impacts

Q14. How will this new secondary pipe be constructed?

A14. It is anticipated that proposed construction of the 2.4 m diameter feedermain will be done in stages along the preferred route. Construction areas will vary from open cuts along existing road right-of-ways or utility corridors, which will require detours or lane reductions, to open cuts on non-traffic boulevards and adjacent sidewalks/open space areas and tunnelling underground. See Public Open House Display Boards.

Tunnelling, for example under the QEW, will be done with a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), operated by individuals working underground. The TBM would enter and exit via large entrance/exit shafts constructed at various proposed locations along the recommended route (see Display Board PDFs - Recommended Routes) and Proposed Construction Compounds) and move through the soil along the route, at a depth also currently being determined. As the machine moves forward, soil would be removed and brought to the surface via the entrance shaft, and a watertight liner and the pipe would be installed behind the machine.

Q15. Where is the construction going to take place?  Does the Region already have a preferred construction route?

A15. The Region is currently working with a number of stakeholders and agencies to identify the preferred route for both pipes. Currently, the recommended route (once finalized it will be referred to as the “preferred route”) includes a combination of open cut and tunnel construction south of Lakeshore Road (includes Lakeview Park/Waterfront Trail) and along Dixie Road, Eastgate Parkway and Tomken Road (see map). An interconnection to the existing Hanlan Feedermain is also proposed along Burnhamthorpe Road. The recommended MCC Watermain route includes a combination of open cut and tunnel construction along Tomken Road, Eastgate Parkway and Cawthra Road.

Q16. How long will the construction take? When will it start?

A16. Construction of both the Hanlan Feedermain and MCC Watermain is anticipated to start in 2012, although some sections could be advanced for construction with other approved capital works. From end-to-end, construction will take approximately 2 years to complete with multiple construction contracts. For expected construction durations along key sections of the recommended route, see the Display Boards.

Q17. What affects might there be on the natural environment in Mississauga, especially around the creeks, parks and waterfront?

A17. Potential impacts could include removal of trees and vegetation and ground water management during construction. Every effort will be made to avoid sensitive areas and to minimize impacts, if any. Work is now underway to collect information about the existing study area natural features, including streams, soils and environmentally significant areas (parks, wetlands, woodlands etc.), in consultation with the Conservation Authorities, City of Mississauga, and other agencies and stakeholders, as applicable. All this information, along with other considerations such as potential social and cultural impacts, economic and technical factors, will be used to select the preferred route(s), establish mitigation measures and monitor impacts, if any.

Q18. How will construction impact traffic?

A18. Depending on the preferred route(s) and construction methods used (e.g., open cut versus tunnelling), construction will cause temporary traffic disruptions, including lane reductions and/or detours on regional and city roads. Potential traffic impacts will be included as part of the detailed, comparative evaluation used to determine the preferred route, and every effort will be made to minimize impacts through the completion of specific traffic management plans. Construction and traffic management plans will incorporate measures to keep traffic moving as freely as possible along all sections of the preferred route during construction.

Q19. Will construction cause any disruption to my water service or other services?

A19. Construction of either the new Hanlan Feedermain or MCC Watermain should not impact water service to the community in general. Depending upon the route(s) selected and the methods of construction used, local water could potentially be interrupted for short durations. Every effort is made during the construction process to minimize this impact.

Communication and consultation

Q20. I am a resident in the study area. Will I receive notice of any decisions that are made regarding the alternate routes?

A20. Newsletters, newspaper notices, and direct mailings will be distributed to affected landowners once the preferred route and construction methods are determined. You are invited to subscribe to the project mailing list by contacting one of the Project Managers (see Q23 below).

Q21. Who is being consulted during the study process?

A21. City of Mississauga Councillors and staff, government review agencies (including conservation authorities), utility companies, First Nations and Aboriginal agencies, community groups, business/residents/rate payer associations and other large organizations with potential interests in the study area are all being contacted as part of the Class EA process.  Other potential stakeholders, including residents and business owners, are encouraged to join our project mailing list by contacting one of the Project Managers (see Q23 below).

Q22. What community consultation events will there be?

A22. Two public open houses were held in June 2008 at the Cawthra Community Centre and Tomken Twin Arena. These consisted of an informal drop-in centre with displays to present the study background information, potential feedermain routes and the proposed evaluation criteria that will be used to determine the preferred route. Representatives from the Region and AECOM Canada Ltd. were present to answer questions and discuss the next steps in the study. Refer to the Public Open House #1 Summary Report (PDF, 2MB) for further information.

A second round of Public Open Houses were held in June 2009 to present the recommended routes and design concepts for both the Hanlan Feedermain and MCC Watermain. Notification of Public Open House #2 was provided by means of newspaper advertisements and contact with those on the project mailing list.

Refer to the Public Open House #2 Display Boards for further information.

Q23. How can I get more information about the project?

A23. Ask to be added to the project mailing list, and/or contact one of the following Project Managers for more information:

Martin Pendlebury, P. Eng.
Project Manager
Environment, Transportation & Planning Services
The Regional Municipality of Peel
10 Peel Centre Dr., 4th Fl.
Brampton, ON L6T 4B9
Tel: 905-791-7800, ext. 4548
Fax: 905-791-0728
E-mail: martin.pendlebury@peelregion.ca

Mr. David Beattie, P. Eng., PMP
Project Manager
AECOM Canada Ltd.
105 Commerce Valley Dr. W., 7th Fl.
Markham, ON L3T 7W3
Tel: 905-747-7418
Fax: 905-886-9494
E-mail: dave.beattie@aecom.com

Q24. Can I provide input to the study/comment on alternatives without attending a consultation event?

A24. Throughout the study, community members are invited to submit comments by contacting one of the Project Managers (see Q23 above).

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Revised: Friday February 17 2023

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