Harmonized Residential Water Service

Connection Repair Program

The Works and Utilities Committee recommends the adoption of the following report dated April30, 1999, from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services, subject to amending the following recommendations to read as follows:

"(1)Water Service Connection Replacement Program:

(i)the City will replace at no cost to the homeowner, substandard water service connections within the road allowance which are defined as non copper material (lead or galvanized iron) and/or water service connections which transmit a flow of less than 18 litres per minute, measured at the water meter, with a new water service connection in accordance with current water service connection standards for size and materials;"

"(5)Breaks and Leaks:

(i)if a break or leak occurs within the road allowance of a water service connection which does not meet current standards of size and/or material, the City will replace the water service connection within the road allowance and advise the homeowner of the need to replace the private portion of the substandard water service in order to receive the maximum improvement in water supply. To assist homeowners in upgrading the private portion of the water service, the City will advise the homeowner of the options described under Item (1) of this policy;

(ii)if a leak or break occurs within the road allowance portion of a water service connection which meets current standards of size and/or material, the City will repair the water service connection, unless due to a recurring leak problem, a replacement is warranted;" and

"(6)Residential Water Service Repairs Prior to Roadway Reconstruction:

(i)the City will replace as a priority the water services below the acceptable flow of 3.96 gallons per minute and the 5/8 inch to 1/2 inch double copper services, all of which are connected to watermains located in roadways planned for reconstruction under the City's annual Capital Works Program."

The Works and Utilities Committee reports, for the information of Council, having requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to submit a further report to the Budget Advisory Committee on the funding requirements to upgrade all qualified residencies.

The Works and Utilities Committee submits the following report (April 30, 1999) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services:

Purpose:

To recommend a policy for a harmonized Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program for the former Cities of Toronto, East York, York, North York, Etobicoke and the former Scarborough Public Utilities Commission which incorporates the comments received from the November 4, 1998 and December 2, 1998 Works and Utilities Committee meetings and the comments received from the March 30, and April 28, 1999 Community Councils on a Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program policy.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funding in the amount of $5,891,000.00 has been approved in the 1999 Capital Budget for undertaking the harmonized Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program described herein. Of this amount, approximately $3.0 million has been allocated for the Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program in the former cities of East York, York, Etobicoke, North York and Scarborough. This funding amount is considerably more than the expenditures for water service repairs in these municipalities in previous years due to the higher level of service in the harmonized Water Service Connection Repair Program described herein. This amount will complete approximately 1,600 to 1,800 residential water services in these former cities and install meters on the Etobicoke flat rate customers which participate in this program.

Approximately $2.9 million has been allocated for the former City of Toronto where the majority of the substandard lead and galvanized water services are located. This amount is consistent with the former City of Toronto's Water Service Repair budget for the past several years and reflects the large number of repairs needed on the lead and galvanized services. This amount is sufficient for approximately 1,800 residential water service repairs and the installation of water meters on each service.

The budgeted amounts for the harmonized Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program will be reviewed annually and adjusted to meet the funding requirements for the program recommended herein.

A separate report will be included on a future Works and Utilities Committee meeting agenda which will recommend options for accelerating the Residential Water Service Repair Program for the flat rate customers in the former City of Toronto (approximately 85,000) and the former City of Etobicoke (approximately 1,400). Past practice has been that if a household is not metered (flat-rate), then the installation of a meter (free of charge to the customer) would be a mandatory condition of the water service repair. Historical experience has shown a take-up of approximately 1,900 households per year for meter installation in conjunction with water service repairs. The funding for the meter was part of the Water Service Repair Program.

The 1999 - 2003 Capital Works Program includes a five-year plan for the conversion of flat-rate accounts to metered service. City Council at its meeting of April 26, 1999, during consideration of water rate harmonization, requested a further report by July 1999 regarding a strategy for the former City of Toronto metered customers which considers various funding options respecting universal metering. Such a report will consider further opportunities to combine the Universal Metering Program with the Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program and include financing and cost sharing options for accelerating the Residential Water Service Connection Repair and the Universal Metering Programs for the remaining flat rate customers in the former Cities of Toronto and Etobicoke.

Recommendations:

That a harmonized Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program include the following:

(1)Water Service Connection Replacement Program:

(i)the City will replace at no cost to the homeowner, substandard water service connections within the road allowance which are defined as non copper material (lead or galvanized iron) and water service connections which transmit a flow of less than 18 litres per minute, measured at the water meter, with a new water service connection in accordance with current water service connection standards for size and materials;

(ii)the City will advise the homeowner that it may be necessary to replace the private portion of their water service and in some cases upgrade the internal house plumbing system in order to receive the maximum improvement in water supply;

(iii)the City will obtain a competitive price for replacing the private portion of the water service from the street line to the meter. Homeowners may also choose to obtain separate competitive prices for replacing the private portion of the water service. In either case, the homeowner will be responsible for replacing the private portion of the water service and resolving any disputes regarding work done on private property directly with the contractor;

(iv)the City will require flat rate customers who qualify under the Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program to have a water meter installed as a mandatory requirement of the program;

(2)Standard Size for Water Service Connections:

(i)the standard residential single family water service connection shall be 19mm (3/4inch) in diameter and copper material;

(ii)where a water service connection is to be replaced under this policy and the homeowner requests a larger diameter connection than the standard size, and if the request is approved by the City, the owner will be charged an additional $500.00 fee for the larger diameter connection. This additional fee will be waived for multi-unit residential properties;

(3)Minimal Acceptable Flow (MAF):

the City will adopt 18 litres per minute (3.96 gallons per minute) as the Minimum Acceptable Flow measured at the water meter;

(4)Water Service Connection Cleaning Program:

the City will clean free of charge copper water service connections between the meter and the watermain in the street when it is determined to be a feasible method of restoring the flow capacity in the connection to a Minimum Acceptable Flow;

(5)Breaks and Leaks:

(i)if a break or leak occurs within the road allowance of a water service connection which does not meet current standards of size and material, the City will replace the water service connection within the road allowance and advise the homeowner of the need to replace the private portion of the substandard water service in order to receive the maximum improvement in water supply. To assist homeowners in upgrading the private portion of the water service, the City will advise the homeowner of the options described under Item (1) of this policy;

(ii)if a leak or break occurs within the road allowance portion of a water service connection which meets current standards of size and material, the City will repair the water service connection, unless due to a recurring leak problem, a replacement is warranted;

(iii)if a leak or break occurs on the homeowners portion of a water service connection, it is the homeowners responsibility to repair or replace the private portion of the water service connection;

(iv)homeowners requesting the City to carry out a street line excavation to investigate a water service for breaks or leaks, which cannot be located using remote leak detection methods, will be required to enter into an agreement with the City. This agreement will state that, if the break or leak is found on the private side of the street line, the homeowner will pay the cost of the investigation;

(6)Residential Water Service Repairs Prior to Roadway Reconstruction:

(i)the City will replace as a priority the lead and galvanized water services and the 5/8inch to 1/2 inch double copper services, all of which are connected to watermains located in roadways planned for reconstruction under the City's annual Capital Works Program;

(ii)when such residential water services are repaired in advance of roadway reconstruction, the City will advise the homeowners of the need to replace the private portion of their water services in order to receive the maximum improvement in water supply. To assist homeowners in upgrading the private portion of their water service, the City will advise the homeowners of the options described under Item (1) of this policy;

(7)Residential Water Service Repair in Conjunction with New Watermain Construction:

(i)the City will replace, as a priority, the lead and galvanized water services and the 5/8inch to 1/2 inch double copper services connected to watermains which are scheduled to be reconstructed under the City's annual Capital Works Program;

(ii)when residential water services are replaced as part of a watermain reconstruction project, the City will advise the homeowners of the need to replace the private portion of their water services in order to receive the maximum improvement in water supply. To assist homeowners in upgrading the private portion of their water services, the City will advise the homeowner of the options described under Item (1) of this policy;

(8)Guidelines for Administration of the Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program:

(i)staff will establish a Water Service Repair Request List by District for the replacement of deficient water service connections within the road allowance on a first-come, first-serve basis. Water service connection repairs will be tendered by District each year until the funds allocated to that District for that budget year are exhausted;

(ii)if any homeowner wishes to have the repair of the water service carried out in a year in which their name is not expected to come up on the Water Service Repair Request List until after the funds available for that year have been exhausted, the homeowner will be required to pay for the total cost of the repair prior to the City undertaking the work. In such a case, the homeowner's name shall remain on the Water Service Repair Request List and when their name reaches the top of the List in any following year in which funds have been approved by City Council, the City will reimburse, in current dollars, the amount paid by that homeowner for the repair of the water service which they previously funded;

(iii)a homeowner whose name is included in the current year's funding and requests that the repair of their water service be carried out in advance of the scheduled time for the repair, shall be charged a non-reimbursable quick service repair fee of $500.00; and

(iv)homeowners who participate in the Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program will be provided with one free indoor water efficiency kit.

Council Reference/Background/History:

At its meeting of December 2, 1998, the Works and Utilities Committee in considering the report dated November 20, 1998, from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services entitled "Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program", requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to report to Committee on the feasibility of a cost sharing policy for the replacement of older pipes where leaks are located, and to submit a report thereon to the Committee including the criteria and mechanism for such a policy.

A report will be submitted to the Works and Utilities Committee on a future agenda which will include a cost sharing proposal with homeowners as part of the Residential Water Service Connection Repair/Universal Metering options for flat-rate customers.

The Toronto Community Council at its meeting on December 9, 1998, had before it a Committee Transmittal dated November 4, 1998, from the Works and Utilities Committee respecting universal metering, and requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to report on the advantages, if any to the former City of Toronto program as it relates to:

(i)the value of the City upgrading old and ageing water pipes;

(ii)on the savings incurred in the reduction of ruptures, given the replacement of piping on City property; and

(iii)the health benefits of replacing old lead pipes with copper.

The York, East York, North York, Scarborough and Etobicoke Community Councils at their meeting of March 30 and April 28, 1999, had before them the November 20, 1998 and October 23, 1998 reports from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services entitled "Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program" for commenting back to the Works and Utilities Committee.

The comments from the Community Councils are as follows:

(a)Etobicoke Community Council:

The Etobicoke Community Council reports having:

(1)advised the Works and Utilities Committee that it endorses the recommendations contained in the following report (i); and

(2)received the following report (ii):

(i)(October 23, 1998) from the General Manager, Water and Wastewater Services, with respect to a harmonized Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program, encompassing the following categories: Breaks/Leaks, Standard Size of Water Service Connection, Minimum Acceptable Flow, Water Service Cleaning and the Water Service Connection Replacement/Upgrade Program; and

(ii)(March 26, 1999) from the Director, Quality Control and System Planning, forwarding reports (November 20, 1998) from the Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services and (October 23, 1998) from the General Manager, Water and Wastewater Services, with respect to a harmonized Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program, which have been referred to the Community Council by the Works and Utilities Committee for comment and report back to the April 21, 1999 meeting of the Works and Utilities Committee.

(b)Scarborough Community Council:

The Scarborough Community Council reports having:

(1)referred the following reports to the Works and Utilities Committee without comment at this time;

(2)requested that the Managing Director, Water and Wastewater Services, submit a report to the Works and Utilities Committee on the practice in the former City of Scarborough compared to the proposals contained in these reports; and

(3)directed that a copy of the Managing Director's report be provided to all Members of the Scarborough Community Council prior to the Works and Utilities Committee meeting to be held on April 21, 1999:

(March 26, 1999) from the Director of Quality Control and System Planning, Water and Wastewater Services, referring two reports (October 23, 1998) from the General Manager, Water and Wastewater Services, and (November 20, 1998) from the Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services, both submitted to the Works and Utilities Committee, respecting a harmonized Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program which encompasses the categories: Breaks/Leaks, Standard Size of Water Service Connection, Minimum Acceptable Flow, Water Service Cleaning and the Water Service Connection Replacement/Upgrade Program, with the request that Community Council provide its comments thereon to the Works and Utilities Committee meeting to be held on April 21, 1999.

A follow-up report (April 20, 1999) comparing the proposed former City of Toronto Joint Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program with the former City of Scarborough Public Utilities Commission Water Service Repair Policy was provided to the Scarborough Community Councillors on April 29, 1999.

(c)East York Community Council:

The East York Community Council on April 28 and 29, 1999, recommended to the Works and Utilities Committee that the 70 year program be accelerated.

The East York Community Council reports, for the information of the Works and Utilities Committee, having requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to submit a report thereon to the Works and Utilities Committee when this matter is being considered.

(d)York Community Council:

The York Community Council reports having received the following report:

(November 20, 1998) from the Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services, to the Works and Utilities Committee, responding to the requests made by the Works and Utilities Committee in considering the report from the General Manager, Water and Wastewater Services, dated October 23, 1998, regarding a Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program; and recommending that this report be received for information.

(e)North York Community Council:

The North York Community Council on April 28, 1999, reports having received the reports dated October 23 and November 20, 1998, from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services entitled "Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program" and having recommended to the Works and Utilities Committee that:

(1)the minimum acceptable flow of 18L/min., as outlined in the report (November 20, 1998) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services, be the City standard; and

(2)the program be harmonized throughout the City of Toronto.

The North York Community Council also reports having requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to bring forward to the next meeting of the North York Community Council scheduled for May 26, 1999, a report for information purposes, listing the property owners, on a Ward by Ward basis, who have applied for an upgrade in water service.

Comments and/or Discussions and/or Justification:

(1)Water Service Connection Repair Program:

The policy for implementing a harmonized City-wide Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program, recommended herein, includes the changes requested by your Committee at its meeting of November 4, 1998, as well as the comments received from the December9, 1998, March 30 and April 28, 1999 Community Council meetings.

The 1999 Capital Budget was prepared with an allocation of $3 million for the Water Service Repair Program in Etobicoke, York, East York, North York and Scarborough. This amount will provide funding for approximately 1,600 - 1,800 water service repairs.

The tendered water service repair cost in the former City of Toronto in 1998 was $1,500.00 including a restoration allowance. The unit costs however, in Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough and York have been higher in the past, averaging from $2,000.00 to $2,300.00 per service due to the limited number of water service repairs carried out in these communities. East York had no policy in this regard, consequently, no unit cost is available. It is estimated, however, that the unit costs for the cities outside the former City of Toronto may reduce given the potential for combining larger numbers of water services under one or more tenders. Further, the restoration costs in these former cities may be less than the former City of Toronto due to the lower restoration costs of connecting to watermains located in boulevards and under asphalt based roadways. The unit cost for the entire City program under a harmonized program may average between $1,700.00 and $1,900.00 per service.

The minimum acceptable flow criteria for replacing a water service connection has been increased from 14 litres per minute to 18 litres per minute, measured at the meter. This criteria will apply primarily to the North York, Scarborough and Etobicoke systems which predominantly have copper water services. This higher criteria for replacement of copper water services was discussed in my November 20, 1998 report to your Committee which concluded that the higher criteria would extend the city-wide Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program by approximately seven years or from 70 years to 77 years.

In the previous cities, the following table indicates the number of water service repairs carried out in 1998:

The number of repairs in each of the former cities (with the exception of the City of Toronto) will no doubt increase substantially due to the higher level of service proposed by this policy.

The number of repairs shown from Etobicoke, North York and Scarborough which have the majority of the copper services may double or perhaps triple with the 18 l/min. flow criteria recommended in this policy. Further, the residents in East York who are currently serviced by lead and galvanized water services will no doubt request water service replacements as East York had previously not offered this type of program. Currently, there are approximately 1,100 residents on the city-wide waiting list including approximately 1,000 from the former City of Toronto, 60 from the former Borough of East York, 20 from former Etobicoke and 20 from former York who are awaiting the harmonization of this program across the new City.

In summary, sufficient funds are available in the 1999 Capital Budget to implement the recommended policy over the balance of 1999. This program and the number of water services being placed throughout the City using the higher level of service recommended herein will be monitored over the remainder of 1999, and the budget request for 2000 and subsequent years will be adjusted accordingly.

With regard to the water service repair for small multiple family residential properties, it is recommended that the proposed $500.00 fee for services larger than 18mm in diameter be waived. The waiving of this fee for multiple family properties will affect approximately 600applications each year and reduce revenues by approximately $30,000.00 per year, which is not considered significant given the scope of this program.

The policy also recommends that the non-copper water services be replaced on all watermain reconstruction projects. Further, there are approximately 50,000 double connections constructed in the 1950's in Scarborough and Etobicoke. These services are more difficult to clean and in time will require replacement under the minimum flow criteria recommended herein. It is recommended that these double copper services also be replaced at the same time as the watermain reconstruction. The replacement of non-copper water services was done on watermain reconstruction projects in Etobicoke, Toronto and York, however, the existing services were not replaced in East York, North York and Scarborough watermain projects. Funding for the replacement of these water services will be included in the budget requests for the watermain projects.

In the majority of cases, substandard water services require upgrading both within the road allowance and on the private portion of the lot to receive the maximum improvement in water supply to the home. Homeowners will be advised of the importance of upgrading the private portion of their water service and, in some cases, upgrade their internal house plumbing to take full advantage of the water service repair upgrade.

It is also proposed that homeowners who participate in this Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program will be provided with one indoor water efficiency kit free of charge. The provision of one water kit with each service replaced will cost approximately $50,000.00. The water conservation measures in the kit will provide the homeowner an opportunity to conserve the increased supply of water as a result of the new water service connection. Funds have been included in the 1999 Water Efficiency Budget for this cost.

(2)Water Service Repair Upgrades Prior to Roadway Reconstruction:

There are substantial benefits both to extending the life of the new pavement and minimizing the inconvenience to road users by replacing lead and galvanized water services in advance of new roadway construction each year.

Further, there are approximately 50,000 double copper water services in Scarborough and Etobicoke which were installed in the 1950's. These double connections were constructed with a 20 mm (5/8 inch) service from the watermain to the street line where the service branches into two 13 mm (1/2 inch) copper services.

This type of water service is more difficult to clean and in time will require replacement under the Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program. It is recommended that these services also be replaced in advance of the roadway reconstruction program to minimize the boulevard and in some cases roadway restoration costs.

The replacement of these water services will necessitate an early tender call each year to have the water service upgrades completed in advance of the roadway reconstruction work.

The lead and galvanized replacement criteria will apply to the majority of road reconstruction projects undertaken in the former Cities of Toronto, York and East York. In these municipalities, the majority of watermains are located either under the curb location or under the first lane of pavement. In either location, it is desirable to replace the water services for the reasons noted above. In the other Districts of Etobicoke, Scarborough and North York, most watermains are located in the boulevard area, consequently for most locations the services can be replaced without disturbing the new pavement by using trenchless technology A typical layout of a short and long side water service with the watermain in the boulevard is shown on Attachment "A".

For a typical year of pavement reconstruction in the former Cities of Toronto, York and East York, there will be approximately 2,000 lead and galvanized water services to be replaced. The majority of these (approximately 1,400) are located in the former City of Toronto which has a larger road reconstruction program. The number of water services to be upgraded under the pavement program will vary from year to year depending on the length of new pavement construction.

For a typical year of pavement reconstruction in Scarborough and Etobicoke where the majority of the 5/8 inch to 1/2 inch double copper services are located, there will be approximately 800 such services requiring replacement. The number of double copper services for replacement each year in advance of the roadway reconstruction program will vary depending on the planned roadway reconstruction program.

The Toronto Community Council requested information on the value of upgrading old and ageing water pipes and the savings incurred in reducing ruptures. Experts estimate that utility cuts in pavements reduce the average lifetime of new pavements by 15 percent to 20percent. It is desirable wherever possible to avoid pavement cuts and thus extend the life expectancy of the pavement structure. The replacement of substandard lead and galvanized services will save the pavement restoration cost which for concrete pavements is approximately $500.00 per cut.

Based on the timing of the 1999 construction season, it will not be possible to replace all of the lead and galvanized services and double 5/8 inch to 1/2 inch double copper services in advance of this years pavement reconstruction program. Wherever possible, the replacement of these services will be accelerated to precede the 1999 roadway reconstruction work.

In future years, the replacement of lead and galvanized services and the 5/8 inch to 1/2 inch double copper services in advance of new roadway construction will require approximately $3.5 million of additional funding under the Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program if the present number of annual water service repairs under the voluntary program is to be maintained. However, this criteria for replacement will accelerate the water service upgrade program.

This increased funding for Residential Water Service Connection Program will be reviewed each year and an appropriate sum included in the Capital Budget request. This number will reduce in future years as the number of deficient water services under new pavement construction gradually decreases.

Replacing the water services under the pavement reconstruction program in the former City of Toronto will also increase the number of meters installed as the proposed Universal Metering Program will be applied to the residents receiving the water service upgrades in conjunction with the pavement reconstruction.

(3)Health Benefits of Replacing Old Lead Pipes with Copper:

The potential for lead concentrations in a water supply exists wherever there is a lead/water interface, as is the case in lead water service connections. Therefore, replacing lead services with copper pipes eliminates this potential.

Analytical results of tap water samples taken from running taps throughout the city revealed that the lead level in the tap water with lead water services is generally higher than in water sampled in the watermains. Concentrations in standing water samples are generally higher than those in flowed samples. For this reason, the Medical Officer of Health advises residents to flush taps unused for prolonged periods before drawing water for consumption purposes.

Studies by the City of Kingston and recently by the former City of Scarborough in cooperation with the Ministry of the Environment revealed that approximately 10 percent of homes with lead water service connections exceeded the Ontario Drinking Water Objective of 10 micrograms per litre or 10 parts per billion of lead concentration.

Regardless of the foregoing findings, a large number of residents perceive that the lead concentrations in their water supply are at unsafe levels because of their lead water service connections. Therefore, the free lead water service replacement program contained in the Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program will benefit the health of its affected residents by allaying their fears of lead toxicity.

(4)Recommended Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program for Leaks/Breaks:

Information obtained from each of the former cities indicates that the majority of leaks in water services occur at the curb box location as frost action applies pressure and movement on the water service connections. As a general rule, if a leak is found to occur in a lead or galvanized water service, the water service is replaced rather than repaired. Leaks which occur in copper services however, can be easily repaired and consequently replacing copper services due to leaks is not normally required. There are occasions however, that due to a number of leaks which may develop in copper services from corrosion, a full replacement of the water service is needed. Over the past year, approximately 730 leaks occurred in water service connections with approximately 50 percent of these being in the former City of Toronto, where the lead and galvanized services have a greater frequency of leaks and breaks. Replacing substandard lead and galvanized services rather than repairing them avoids the need to re-excavate the roadway and/or boulevard areas to install new services. A roadway excavation including backfill and restoration is approximately $1,200.00 - $1,500.00 and a boulevard excavation including restoration is approximately $800.00 - $1,000.00. Replacing the substandard lead and galvanized (rather than repairing leaks or breaks) avoids the cost of re-excavating and restoring roadways and/or boulevards a second time.

The recommended policy does not include assistance to homeowners for repairing leaks on the private portion of the water service. All leaks or breaks which occur within the public street allowance however, are repaired at the City's cost. If there is any uncertainty as to the location of a leak, remote leak detection equipment will be used to verify the leak location. If it is determined that the leak is located within the private portion of the water service, the homeowner is advised to contact a plumbing contractor to carry out the repair. On rare occasions, a site excavation may be required to determine the location of the water leak. On such occasions, the City will require the homeowner to enter an agreement wherein the homeowner will pay for the cost of the excavation if the leak is found to be on the private side of the streetline. If, however, the leak is determined to be within the public street allowance, there is no charge to the homeowner for the investigation or repair cost.

(5)Options for Accelerating the Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program:

The East York Community Council at its meeting of April 29, 1999, requested that the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services report on options for accelerating the estimated 77-year duration of the Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program. The estimated number of services which include lead and galvanized and 1/2 inch copper is approximately 283,000 city wide. The present funding will allow for 3,500 to 3,700 services to be upgraded each year and result in a program life of 76 to 80 years.

The inclusion of deficient lead and galvanized water services where the watermain is located beneath the new pavement will result in a further 1,200 water service replacements each year. Replacing the 5/8 inch double with 1/2 inch copper services in conjunction with the road reconstruction programs in Scarborough and Etobicoke will result in a further 800 water services replaced each year.

As previously noted, this will require an annual budget increase of $3.5 million per year, however, the duration of the Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program will reduce to approximately 50 years.

Conclusions:

The policy for water service repairs recommended herein include the amendments requested by your Committee at its meetings of November 4, 1998, and December 2, 1998, and further incorporates the comments received from the Community Councils on this policy. A summary of the former Cities' policies for the Water Service Repair Program and the proposed policy is shown on Attachment "B". A Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program will result in significant improvements in water supply to the residential customers, and further will renew the age of the public and private portion of the water service system thereby reducing the risks of breaks/leaks and thus improve the reliability of supply to each customer. Further, the upgrading of materials from lead and galvanized to copper will improve the quality of water reaching each customer.

Contact Name:

Mr. W. Green, Director

Quality Control and System Planning

Telephone: (416) 392-8242; Fax: (416) 392-2974

Email: wgreen@city.toronto.ca

ATTACHMENT B

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The Works and Utilities Committee reports, for the information of Council, having also had before it during consideration of the foregoing matter the following communications:

(i)(April 7, 1999) from the City Clerk advising that the Scarborough Community Council at its meeting on March 30, 1999:

(1)referred the reports dated October 23, 1998, and November 20, 1998, from the General Manager, Water and Wastewater Services, to the Works and Utilities Committee without comment at this time;

(2)requested the General Manager, Water and Wastewater Services, to submit a report to the Works and Utilities Committee on the practice in the former City of Scarborough compared to the proposals contained in these reports; and

(3)directed that a copy of the General Manager's report be provided to all Members of the Scarborough Community Council prior to the Works and Utilities Committee meeting to be held on April 21, 1999.

(ii)(April 9, 1999) from the City Clerk advising that the York Community Council on March30, 1999, received the report dated November 20, 1998, from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services; and directed that the Works and Utilities Committee be so advised.

(iii)(April 15, 1999) from the City Clerk advising that the Etobicoke Community Council on March 30, 1999, endorsed the recommendations contained in the report dated October 23, 1998, from the General Manager, Water and Wastewater Services, respecting the harmonized Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program; and received the report dated March26, 1999, from the Director, Quality Control and System Planning.

(iv)(April 30, 1999) from the City Clerk advising that the North York Community Council on April 28, 1999:

(1)received the reports dated October 23, 1998, and November 20, 1998, from the General Manager, Water and Wastewater Services;

(2)recommended to the Works and Utilities Committee that:

(i)the minimum acceptable flow of 18 l/min., as outlined in the report (November 20, 1998) from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services, be the City standard; and

(ii)the program be harmonized throughout the City of Toronto; and

(3)requested the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services to bring forward to the next meeting of the North York Community Council scheduled for May 26, 1999, a report for information purposes, listing the property owners, on a Ward by Ward basis, who have applied for an upgrade in water service.

(v)(April 30, 1999) from the City Clerk advising that the East York Community Council on April 28 and 29, 1999, recommended to the Works and Utilities Committee that the 70-year program be accelerated; and requested the Commissionerof Works and Emergency Services to submit a report thereon to the Works and Utilities Committee when this matter is being considered.

(vi)(May 3, 1999) from Councillor Lorenzo Berardinetti, Chair, Scarborough Community Council, forwarding a response from the Committee Administrator for the Scarborough Community Council respecting the Residential Water Service Connection Repair Program.

(vii)(May 18, 1999) from Ms. Karey Shinn, Chair, Safe Sewage Committee, raising questions with respect to the Residential Water Service and Repair Program.

Councillor Norm Kelly, Scarborough Wexford, appeared before the Works and Utilities Committee in connection with the foregoing matter in support of the report dated April 30, 1999, from the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services.

(A copy of Attachment A referred to in the foregoing report has been forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda for the Works and Utilities Committee meeting of May19, 1999, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk.)