Updated December 15, 2020
The City of Toronto has completed a Municipal Environmental Assessment (EA) Study to achieve the following for the Black Creek Sanitary drainage area:
The following are key study recommendations:
This study is expected to complete in 2020, with design and construction schedule after 2025.
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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 the 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 Consultation Drop-In Events will occur for this Class EA Study project.
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:
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.
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.