Black Creek Drainage Improvement Study
An Environmental Assessment (EA) study is underway to identify problems and assess sanitary servicing needs of the Black Creek Sanitary Drainage Area and capacity of the Black Creek Sanitary Trunk Sewer (STS), and develop a plan to:
- ensure the trunk sewer system has capacity to service future population and employment growth
- better manage flows in the trunk system during rainfall events
- reduce combined sewer overflows to Black Creek watercourse
- reduce stormwater entering the trunk system
Black Creek Sanitary Sewer Study proposed solutions
There will be another public event in Fall/Late 2019 for the next steps of this study, expected to complete in 2020.
Built around 1960, the Black Creek Sanitary Trunk System (STS) is a 15 km long sanitary trunk sewer that services the 5,500 hectare drainage area. The trunk system ultimately flows to the Humber Wastewater Treatment Plant.
During major storms, flows in the trunk system exceed the design capacity. This has caused overloading and surcharging. Also, during some storms, overflows area released from the combined trunk sewers to the Black Creek watercourse, which need to be controlled according to Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks’ criteria.
Over the next few decades, a population and employment increase is expected within the study area, which will need to be accommodated by the trunk system.
Three rounds of Public Information Centres (PICs) will occur for this Class EA Study project. The first set of PICs took place in April 2016.
The second PIC is on April 4, 2019 at Falstaff Community Centre from 6:00 p to 8 pm.
The third PIC will take place in spring and late 2019/early 2020. Notification of the PICs will be advertised in the local community newspaper and notices to be mailed to residents within the study area.
Notice of Public Information Centre # 2
Study overview
In 2015, the City of Toronto has initiated a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA) study to address problems and opportunities with the Black Creek Sanitary Trunk Sewer (STS) within study area.
The purpose of the Class EA study is to assess capacity issues of the Black Creek STS and to develop a plan to:
- ensure the trunk sewer system has capacity to service future population and employment growth
- better manage flows in the trunk system during rainfall events
- reduce combined sewer overflows to Black Creek watercourse
- reduce stormwater entering the trunk system
The Process
The study is being planned as a Schedule “C” project under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment document. The Class EA process provides members of the public and interested parties with opportunities to provide input at key stages of the study. The studies will define the problem and the causes of the problem, consider and evaluate alternative solutions, assess impacts of the preferred solutions, and identify measures to lessen any adverse impacts.
What is a Class Environmental Assessment?
Ontario’s Environmental Assessment (EA) program promotes good environmental planning by determining and managing the potential effects of a project prior to implementation.
The EA program ensures that public concerns are heard. EA balances economic, social, cultural and natural environmental needs so that projects benefit Ontario.
This study is being carried out according to the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process. This is an approved approach to satisfying requirements of the Environmental Assessment Act specifically tailored to municipal infrastructure. The process includes identifying the problem or opportunity to be addressed, developing and evaluating a range of alternative solutions, providing opportunities for public input and identifying a preferred solution.