Dundas York and Valley roads water pumping station expansion relocating part of off-leash dog park
City staff will try to relocate part of Borer's Falls off-leash Dog Park at 491 York Rd. to accommodate expansion of the York and Valley roads water booster pumping station next door.
A municipal environmental assessment addendum for booster pumping station upgrades and expansion will be posted for a 30-day public review on the city website. Construction is anticipated to start in 2025.
According to a staff report approved at the July 6 public works committee meeting, the York and Valley Water Booster Pumping Station at 501 York Rd. was agreed upon to increase capacity in the 2006 Water and Wastewater Master Plan.
A consultant reviewed three alternatives for addressing aging infrastructure and increasing pumping capacity to support population growth in Waterdown.
Two nearby properties were identified as options for building a new pumping station, but presented additional costs and issues as the sites are owned by the Royal Botanical Gardens or Hamilton Conservation Authority, and regulated by Niagara Escarpment Commission. Both sites also would require rerouting of existing water mains.
The preferred solution is to expand the existing station (on) City property (right-of-way)," the staff report states.
That preferred option will permanently displace a portion of the off-leash dog park.
The affected area is a small fenced zone dedicated to small and/or senior dogs," the staff report states. It is immediately south of the station and it must be relocated so the pumping station can be expanded."
Hamilton Water is expected to co-ordinate with Parks and Cemeteries staff to relocate the space, ideally close to the existing space.
A consultant's report states permanent extension of the pumping station yard to the south is required to accommodate additional equipment, valve chambers and improved access to the station for operations and maintenance, and noted that will displace the existing small dog park area.
The small dog area of the Borer's Falls off-leash park will also be closed during construction while the upgrades and expansion are being completed," the consultant's report states. The large dog area ... is not anticipated to be closed during construction for extended periods. General project information and updates will be provided through the city's website with advanced notification prior to construction anticipated to commence in 2025."
A total of $12.97 million was set aside for the York-Valley station expansion and upgrade in the 2022 Hamilton Water budget. This month's staff report reports a conceptual cost estimation of $14,540,000.
According to the consultants report, the York and Valley roads water pumping station was built in 1982 and apparently services some local residents, as well as the community of Waterdown.
Water is pumped out of the station via a 600 mm diameter trunk water main which continues up the escarpment to Waterdown.
Proposed upgrades also include connection to a second discharge trunk main; redundancy systems to improve maintenance and reliability; and new roof and improved driveway access.