West Humber River Geomorphic Systems Master Plan

The City of Toronto has initiated a study to identify sewer and watermain infrastructure within the West Humber River that is at risk of erosion from high flows dues to storms and snow melt.

This study will look at how the current stream conditions are impacting the storm sewer and watermain infrastructure within the river and identify solutions to help reduce or prevent future impact to ensure the City’s water and sewer infrastructure can continue to operate and service residents and businesses.

This study will follow the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process, an approved planning process under the Ontario Environment Assessment Act.
A Master Plan is a long-range plan that examines the needs within a geographic area and provides a framework and vision to implement recommended improvements.
The study will not examine trail conditions or recommend improvements to trails, forestry or ravine amenities. The City may undertake separate efforts in the future to address these features.

The map below shows the location of West Humber River and area under study.

Map of the West Humber River and area from Highway 427 on the west to the Humber River on the east. Map area is roughly from Albion Road on the north to Rexdale Boulevard on the south.

The City will notify and consult residents on the study and its recommended solutions.  To stay informed about the study’s progress, please contact us and we will add you to our email list for updates.

December 2022

During storm events, rain water or snow melt runoff enters underground pipes via drains and catchbasins on streets and in parks and is discharged from storm sewer outfalls into the watercourses that flow to Lake Ontario. At times these flows can be high, resulting in erosion damage. High flows from past storms have caused substantial erosion damage to sewers and watermains located in and near the City’s ravines and watercourses.

This erosion damage can:

  • Destabilize the soil near sewers and watermains
  • Expose or break buried sewers and watermains
  • Damage storm outfalls, erosion control structures, the bottom or banks of the watercourse and aquatic habitats

In West Humber River, the following City infrastructure is at risk of erosion:

  • 14 storm outfalls
  • 25 sanitary sewers
  • 2 maintenance holes
  • 6 watermains

Some photos that illustrate the risks include:

Image of West Humber River with a sanitary sewer running through it. Please contact Tracy Manolakakis for more information at 416 392 2990 or westhumberriver@toronto.ca

A sanitary sewer runs through the watercourse. Significant down cutting of the riverbed led to the exposure of a sanitary sewer crossing.

Image of West Humber River with a watermain running through it. Please contact Tracy Manolakakis for more information at 416 392 2990 or westhumberriver@toronto.ca

A watermain runs through the watercourse. Significant bank erosion and riverbed down cutting. The waterman is at risk of exposure.

Image of West Humber River with visible riverbed. Please contact Tracy Manolakakis for more information at 416 392 2990 or westhumberriver@toronto.ca

Easily eroded bedrock that forms the riverbed visible.