CITY CLERK
Clause embodied in Report No. 8 of the North York Community Council, to be considered by the
Council of the City of Toronto at its meeting to be held on September 28, 29, and 30, 1999.
24
(g)Harmonized Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program.
The North York Community Council reports having deferred consideration of the following report to its next
meeting scheduled for October 12, 1999:
The North York Community Council also reports, for the information of Council, having requested the Works Committee
to defer this matter which is expected to be considered by the Works Committee at its meeting scheduled for October 6,
1999, in order to allow the North York Community Council an opportunity to forward its comments and/or
recommendations regarding this issue.
(June 22, 1999) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services, respecting the development of a strategy to
upgrade the private portions of residential water service connections at no cost to homeowners, and an estimate of the cost
to do so, advising that the City undertaking a private side water service repair program will be a significant increase in
level of service at an annual cost of $10.96M, but that undertaking the complete water service repair from the water main
to the meter at one time and by one contract would ensure the work is carried out in the most cost-effective and expedient
manner; further advising that given the numerous demands on the water and wastewater capital budget, staff do not
recommend this increased level of service, especially as it would involve working on private property; and recommending
that this report be received for information.June 22nd, 1999
To:Community Councils
From:Barry H. Gutteridge, Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services
Subject:Harmonized Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program
Purpose:
To develop a strategy to upgrade the private portions of residential water service connections at no cost to homeowners,
and to provide an estimate of the cost to do so.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
The cost to the City to upgrade the private portions of residential water service connections in conjunction with the
Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program within the street allowance is estimated to be approximately
$10.96M annually.
Recommendations:
That this report be received for information.
Council Reference/Background/History:
Clause 18 of Report No. 5 of the North York Community Council was struck out and referred to the Commissioner of
Works and Emergency Services for further consideration; and the Commissioner was requested to submit a report, through
the Community Councils, to the Works and Utilities Committee on how the City could provide a water service upgrade
from the City's property line to the water meter, at no cost to the homeowners.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
City Council at its meeting of June 9, 10 and 11, 1999 adopted with amendments a Harmonized Residential Water Service
Connection Repair Program (Clause No. 1 of Report No. 6) for replacing water services within street allowances. Table 1
summarizes the estimated number and costs for an annual program of replacing the private portion of water services at the
City's cost (extending from the street line to the meter) using the following Water Service Repair eligibility criteria;
1.Homeowner application due to non-copper material and/or when flow is less than the minimum acceptable flow of
18L/min. at the meter.
2.The City initiates the replacement of water services prior to road reconstruction and water main reconstruction where
services are non-copper, copper services servicing two homes via 'Y' connections and/or services with less than the
minimum acceptable flow of 18L/min. At the meter.
3.The City initiates the replacement of water services develop leaks or are broken or otherwise damaged.
The annual total number of substandard water services to be replaced/upgraded under the three components is 10,030. At
this estimated replacement rate, the estimated duration to replace all substandard water service should range between 25
and 35 years.
Currently, the homeowner is responsible to arrange and to pay the full cost for replacing the private portion of the water
service connection. Under the Program, the City will obtain a competitive replacement price and pass it on to the
homeowner, if he/she decides on replacement. However, the homeowner may choose to obtain a separate competitive
price.
Should the City decide to assume the cost and responsibility for replacing the private portion of the water service
connection. Under the Program, the City will obtain a competitive replacement price and pass it on to the homeowner, if
he/she decides on replacement. However, the homeowner may choose to obtain a separate competitive price.
Should the City decide to assume the cost and responsibility for replacing the private portion of water services, the most
logical, expedient and cost effective strategy is to have its contractor carry out the replacement of the public and private
portions at the same time. However, caution must be exercised in assuming this responsibility as the City and its contractor
may be held liable for damages arising from the work done on private property. In this regard, the City Solicitor
recommends that homeowners be required to sign a consent waiver granting the city permission to work on private
property and further obtain the necessary warranty and indemnification provisions from any contractor undertaking this
work on the City's behalf.
As previously stated the number of private side water service connections which would be eligible for replacement
annually under the criteria of the Water Service Repair Program is estimated to be 10,030. At an average cost of $900.00
for the private side replacement in the former City of Toronto and approximately $1,200.00 for the longer private services
in each of the other Cities, the annual cost is $10.96M.
Conclusions:
In each of the former Cities the homeowner has without exception been responsible for the cost to replace the private
portion of their water service. The City undertaking a private side water service repair program will be a significant
increase in level of service at an annual cost of $10.96M, however, undertaking the complete water service repair from the
water main t the meter at one time and by one contractor would ensure the work is carried out in the most cost effective and
expedient manner. Given the numerous demands on the water and wastewater capital budget we do not recommend this
increased level of service, especially as it would involve working on private property.
Contact Name:
Wayne Green Director
Quality Control and System Planning
Telephone: (416) 392-8242
Fax: (416) 392-2974
e-mail: wgreen@toronto.ca
Michael A. Price, P.Eng., FICE
General Manager, Water and Wastewater Services
Barry H. Gutteridge
Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
CITY CLERK
Clause embodied in Report No. 5 of the North York Community Council, as referred by the Council of
the City of Toronto at its meeting held on June 9, 10, and 11, 1999.
18
Residential Water Service Repair Program
(City Council on June 9, 10 and 11, 1999, struck out and referred this Clause to the Commissioner of Works and
Emergency Services for further consideration; and the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services was requested to
submit a report, through the Community Councils, to the Works Committee, on how the City could provide a water service
upgrade from the City's property line to the meter, at no cost to the homeowner.)
The North York Community Council recommends that:
(1)the report (May 14, 1999) from the Director, Water and Wastewater Operations, Districts 3 and 4, be received;
and that the owners of the properties identified in Appendix "A" to "D" attached to the report be provided with
the water service upgrade immediately upon Council's approval of the Residential Water Service Repair Program,
which is expected to be considered by Council at its meeting scheduled for June 9, 1999;
(2)the City provide a water service upgrade, from the City's property line to the meter, to all homeowners whose
water flow is less than 18 litres per minute at no cost to the homeowner; and
(3)that any owners of properties identified in Appendix "A" to "D" attached to the report (May 14, 1999) from
the Director, Water and Wastewater Operations, Districts 3 and 4, be reimbursed by the City for any costs incurred
to upgrade their water service.
The North York Community Council also reports, for the information of Council, having requested:
(1)the Director, Water and Wastewater Operations, Districts 3 and 4, to prepare a communication for all Members of
North York Community Council, to be used by the Councillors for distribution to all owners of properties identified in
Appendix "A" to "D" attached to the report (May 14, 1999) from the Director, Water and Wastewater Operations, Districts
3 and 4, advising the affected homeowners on the manner in which they can secure assistance for the water service
upgrade; and
(2)the City Solicitor to report at a future meeting of North York Community Council on whether monies collected from
development charges can be used to upgrade the residential water service.
The North York Community Council submits the following report (May 14, 1999) from the Director, Water and
Wastewater Operations, Districts 3 and 4:
Purpose:
To provide to the North York Community Council, a listing of properties on a Ward by Ward basis, of those property
owners who have previously complained to the Division about low water pressure/flow and flow rates were measured
between 3.25 gpm (15 litres per minute) and 3.96 gpm (18 litres per minute).
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
N/A
Recommendation:
Report provided for information.
Council Reference/Background/History:
North York Community Council at its' meeting of April 28, 1999 had before it a communication dated March 26, 1999
form the Director of Quality Control and System Planning referring two reports (October 23, 1998) from the General
Manager, Water & Wastewater Services, and (November 20, 1998) from the Commissioner, Works and Emergency
Services, for comment, both submitted to the Works and Utilities Committee, respecting a harmonized Residential Water
Service Repair Program.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
Attached, hereto, as Appendix A to D are lists on a year by year basis, ward by ward basis of those properties that did not
qualify under the former North York Policy (flows greater than 3.25 and less than 3.96 gallons per minute) for a water
service replacement but would qualify under the proposed new policy.
Attached hereto, as Appendix E, is a copy of Extract of Clause 4 of Works Committee Report No.22, dated November 28,
1995, adopted by North York City Council on December 5, 1995 by Resolution 95-21. This report outlines the former
North York Policy on Low Water Pressure.
The appended lists represent 280 locations where, under the proposed new policy, property owners would benefit from a
water service upgrade to property line at no cost to them. The estimated cost to replace these services is approximately
$500,000.00 (1999 dollars).
Conclusions:
The new policy is an increase in level of service for North York District..
Contact Name:
Frank Trinchini, P.Eng.,
Manager, Installation & Rehabilitation Projects
Tel: 395-6284
Fax: 395-6200
(A copy of the Appendices referred to in the foregoing report is on file in the office of the City Clerk, North York Civic
Centre.)
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Recorded Votes:
A recorded vote on a motion moved by Councillor King, Seneca Heights, that consideration of Recommendation (2)
moved by Councillor Augimeri be deferred to the next meeting of the North York Community Council scheduled for June
23, 1999, in order to allow the Director, Water and Wastewater Operations, Districts 3 and 4, to prepare a report outlining
the associated costs, was as follows:
FOR:Councillors Li Preti, Feldman, Berger, King
AGAINST:Councillors Mammoliti, Sgro, Moscoe, Augimeri, Flint, Filion, Minnan-Wong, Shiner
ABSENT:Councillors Gardner, Chong
Lost
A recorded vote on Recommendation (1) moved by Councillor Shiner, Seneca Heights, was as follows:
FOR:Councillors Mammoliti, Sgro, Li Preti, Moscoe, Augimeri, Feldman, Berger, Flint, Filion, Minnan-Wong, Shiner,
King
AGAINST:NIL
ABSENT:Councillors Gardner, Chong
Carried
A recorded vote on Recommendation (2) moved by Councillor Augimeri, Black Creek, was as follows:
FOR:Councillors Mammoliti, Sgro, Li Preti, Moscoe, Augimeri, Feldman, Berger, Filion, Minnan-Wong, Shiner
AGAINST:Councillors Flint, King
ABSENT:Councillors Gardner, Chong
Carried
A recorded vote on the requested communication from the Director, Water and Wastewater Operations, Districts 3 and 4,
moved by Councillor Moscoe, North York Spadina, was as follows:
FOR:Councillors Mammoliti, Sgro, Li Preti, Moscoe, Augimeri, Feldman, Berger, Flint, Filion, Minnan-Wong, Shiner,
King
AGAINST:NIL
ABSENT:Councillors Gardner, Chong
Carried
A recorded vote on Recommendation (3) moved by Councillor Mammoliti, North York Humber, was as follows:
FOR:Councillors Mammoliti, Sgro, Li Preti, Moscoe, Augimeri, Filion, Minnan-Wong, Shiner
AGAINST:Councillors Feldman, Berger, Flint, Gardner, King
ABSENT:Councillor Chong
Carried
A recorded vote on a motion moved by Councillor King, Seneca Heights, that the Director of Water and Wastewater
Operations, District 3 and 4, offer to members of North York Community Council, a test of their water pressure and that
the results be reported back to the North York Community Council, was as follows:
FOR:Councillors Mammoliti, Sgro, Li Preti, Gardner, Filion, King
AGAINST:Councillors Moscoe, Augimeri, Feldman, Berger, Flint, Minnan-Wong, Shiner
ABSENT:Councillor Chong
Lost
