Municipal water - Tottenham

The Tottenham Transmission Main project continues to remain on budget and on schedule as construction is expected to be complete by the end of 2021 with commissioning set to be complete by the Spring of 2022. Approximately 60% of the watermain has been installed to date with the contractor having substantially completed work along Sideroad 10, County Road 10, McKnight Crescent, and Industrial Road. 

For 2021, the contractor is currently working in the Industrial Road area in Tottenham and will relocate to the County Roads once the half-load restrictions are lifted.  When students at the Father FX O’Reilly School are finished for the summer, the contractor will then complete their work along Queen St N in Tottenham. 

As soon as the construction and commissioning of the TTM is complete, the 400mm diameter transmission main will immediately provide the required water supply to Tottenham to meet the Average Day Demand (ADD) with the existing groundwater wells topping up and blending with the pipeline supply during Max Day Demands only (ie. hot/dry periods in July and August). 

The completion of the TTM will resolve the water supply and quality concerns in Tottenham in keeping with the preferred solution identified in the Environmental Assessment (EA).

The TTM will be able to fully supply the 2031 Max Day Demand to Tottenham per the 2016 Water Master Plan once the Dayfoot Street watermain is upsized as part of a separate road urbanization and improvement project. The Dayfoot St Improvement project has a developer driven timeline and is estimated to be a 3-year construction program commencing as early as 2021. 

June 3, 2021

In response to a number of inquiries, the Town would like to provide a clarification on RVA’s technical memorandum dated November 2020 on the Tottenham Aeration System Performance. The scope of the report was to evaluate the running annual average (RAA) by assessing the 1^st year of operating data as recommended by RVA in December 2019 (and found below, titled "Monitoring and sampling the effectiveness of the aeration system.") The 10% reduction was calculated by comparing the pre and post aeration system installation THM RAA (average quarterly THM results) from Q4 2019 through Q3 2020 to the THM RAA measured from Q4 2018 through Q3 2019.

The THM RAA results will continue to fluctuate as expected depending on the raw water quality, seasonality, water demand and the operation of the facility. The RAA results available since the memorandum was written have not shown the same level of reduction in THMs in subsequent quarters. 

The Town continues to work with the existing system to control THMs as best as possible while the construction of the Tottenham Transmission Main (TTM) continues to progress and remains as the primary solution to reducing THMs. The TTM remains on schedule to be commissioned in less than 12 months (Spring 2022).

March 5, 2021

This is a further update on the effectiveness of the Tottenham Aeration System that was installed in Q3 2019 in an effort to reduce trihalomethane (THM) in the Tottenham Water System.

As recommended below on Dec. 12, 2019, RV Anderson (RVA) has undertaken a yearlong review of monitoring results from the Town’s regular compliance sampling program to assess the effectiveness of the Aeration System in reducing the THM levels. Based on the results detailed in the Aeration system technical memorandum attached at the bottom of the page, RVA has been able to conclude that THM levels have declined with an overall reduction in the Running Annual Average (RAA) Total THM of 10% compared to the pre-aeration sample data from 2019.

As part of the aeration performance analysis, a review of the groundwater quality was also completed by RVA to determine if the raw water quality has changed over time, and if any correlations between the groundwater quality and THM formation could be found. As outlined in the groundwater technical memorandum attached below, Wells 6A & 7 have experienced shifts in their composition compared to historical samples which could have the potential to increase THM formation rates. Wells 4 & 5 were inconclusive due to limited historical information. RVA concluded that once the Tottenham Transmission Main (TTM) is online the Town should explore the staggering of well starts to use the better performing wells first.

Both technical memorandums ultimately conclude that the construction of the TTM is the primary solution to reducing THMs by replacing the existing groundwater supply with the Alliston/Beeton water system. Nearly 60% of the TTM has been installed to date and construction continues to remain on schedule to be commissioned by Spring 2022.

Town Staff will continue to utilize the aeration system and use operational best practices to help minimize THMs in the Tottenham system. Once the TTM is commissioned and online, the aeration system would only operate when the wells are being used to supplement flows.

NOTICE TO RESIDENTS / PROPERTY OWNERS
Tottenham Transmission Main Project No. T20-02
Notice for Start of Construction
Please be advised that the Town of New Tecumseth has recently awarded the Tottenham Transmission Main contract to Avertex Utility Solutions Inc.
The primary scope of work for this project includes the installation of a water transmission main from the McKelvey Water Reservoir in Beeton to the Mill Street Reservoir in Tottenham. 
The Contractor intends to commence with construction activities during the following dates:
• County Road 10 – Summer 2020
• Sideroad 10 – Fall 2020
• Industrial Rd / McKnight Cres – Winter 2020/21
• County Road 10 – Spring 2021
• Queen Street – Summer 2021
• County Road 1 / Main St - Fall 2021
The works are anticipated to be substantially completed by December 2021 with commissioning in the Spring of 2022.
Construction signs will be erected prior to construction. The Contractor is required to maintain one lane of vehicular traffic during working hours and all lanes of vehicular traffic during non-working hours when possible.
As required, personnel on-site will coordinate any driveway disruptions/closures with residents and businesses to minimize the length of closure and to ensure alternate parking arrangements are made. You will experience some delays and inconveniences during this time and, in this regard, we ask for your cooperation and patience. We also request that when driving or walking through and around the construction area that you follow and obey the construction traffic signage for your safety and for the safety of the workers.

Should you have any questions or concerns related to this project, please contact the following project team:
Project Engineer, Kim Sayers, M.A. Sc., P.M.P., P.Eng.
R.V. Anderson Associates Ltd.
2001 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 300
Toronto, Ontario M2J 4Z8
Tel: (416) 497-8600
ksayers@rvaanderson.com
Contract Administrator, Natasha Lee, P. Eng.
R.V. Anderson Associates Ltd.
2001 Sheppard Avenue East, Suite 300
Toronto, Ontario M2J 4Z8
Tel: (416) 497-8600
nlee@rvaanderson.com
Town Project Manager, Rob Greenwood
Engineering Department
10 Wellington Street E, Alliston, ON, L9R 1A1
Tel: (705) 435-3900 ext. 1314
rgreenwood@newtecumseth.ca

RV Anderson has been undertaking an 8 week monitoring and sampling phase to assess the effectiveness of the Aeration System that has been installed in an effort to reduce the total Trihalomethane (TTHM) levels in the Tottenham water system.

RVA utilized two methods to evaluate the performance of the aeration system as identified in the attached Technical Memorandum by RVA dated November 29, 2019, being:

1. Bench Scale Testing – Used to simulate the full scale treatment and distribution system to compare TTHM formation in a non-aerated sample against an aerated sample.
2. Full Scale Testing – Used to compare the TTHM formation after the aeration system was turned on to the results prior to commissioning.  

RVA advises that based on the bench scale tests, a minimum anticipated TTHM reduction would be in the order of 10%. However, based on the full-scale results from the distribution system, average reductions could be in the order of 15%-20%. Furthermore, based on results from Nolan Road, the highest anticipated TTHM reduction in the distribution system could be in the order of 40%.

The most recent quarterly sample average (2019 – Q4) was 35% lower then the previous quarter (2019-Q3), and 15% lower than the same quarter last year (2018 – Q4). 

RVA recommends that to assess the full impact on the running annual average TTHM level, one full calendar year of results from the Town’s regular compliance sampling program will be required. 

Please see the below attachment "THM aeration performance testing and blending study."

Nov. 21, 2019: The Town of New Tecumseth takes the health and wellbeing of our community seriously and is committed to ensuring our residents’ safety.

Tottenham’s drinking water supply meets all the Province of Ontario's drinking water regulations and the Town is in regular communication with both the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. The Town strictly adheres to all testing and reporting regulations. 

The Town’s Water Supply, Distribution and Storage Master Plan (WMP) includes a plan to connect Tottenham to the Georgian Bay pipeline in order to meet the long-term Tottenham water supply needs and address the well water quality and reduce discolouration. The long-term solution is to replace the Tottenham groundwater supply with a connection to the Beeton water system. The Town is working with Collingwood to secure increased water capacity.

The 2020 Capital Budget for the construction of the trunk main and reservoir is $16,385,000. The Tottenham transmission main is currently under design and is scheduled to be tendered in the spring of 2020 and then expected to be online by 2022.

Tottenham’s water is solely sourced from ground water wells and its natural make-up consists of high iron content and naturally occurring organics which is the primary reason for periodic discolouration. The Water Master Plan includes a plan to connect Tottenham to the pipeline.

The existing Tottenham water supply is provided by four groundwater wells which have challenging natural water quality. There is presence of methane, elevated natural ammonia leading to a need for high chlorine dosages for disinfection, presence of natural bromide and elevated natural iron resulting in aesthetic concerns. The dosage and treatment with chlorine contributes to elevated levels of THMs. The Chief Drinking Water Inspector annual report and 2019 Tottenham Annual Report confirm that Tottenham meets all THM drinking water regulations.

There are two key challenges that contribute to high THM levels in the Tottenham treated water supply.  Elevated bromide in raw water and the chlorine dosage needed to overcome the elevated ammonia levels while maintaining disinfection requirements.  The current infrastructure provides limited to no ability to further optimize the operational processes to reduce THM production.  Consequently, there is no ability to decrease the chlorine concentration to levels that reduce THM formation while maintaining disinfection requirements to ensure the water supply is safe from harmful bacteria.

The Town recently installed an Aeration System in the Mill Street Reservoir in Tottenham. We are currently conducting a 6 to 8-week monitoring and sampling phase in order to establish a baseline to assess the effectiveness of the Aeration System in reducing trihalomethanes (THM) in the Tottenham Water System. This will include additional post-installation bench scale modelling and a distribution system analysis. The Town continues to work with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks. For more information on THMs, you can visit the Health Unit’s website at www.smdhu.org 

Aeration system active and operating in Tottenham 

NEW TECUMSETH, ON – The Town can advise that the installation of the Aeration System in the Mill Street Reservoir in Tottenham is fully active and operating. The Town continues to work with both the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks in ensuring compliance with the Ontario Drinking Water Standards.

The next step involves a 6 to 8-week monitoring and sampling phase in order to establish a baseline to assess the effectiveness of the Aeration System in reducing trihalomethanes (THM) in the Tottenham Water System. This will include additional post-installation bench scale modelling and a distribution system analysis. Following the completion of the monitoring phase, the Town will provide a further update.

The health unit has information about trihalomethanes in drinking water at www.smdhu.org 

If you were unable to attend, please see the attached presentation from the meeting (below)

If you would like to provide comments, please complete and return the comment and question sheet also attached below. 

Notice of Public Information Session regarding Tottenham water

In accordance with Town Council direction and Council Report ENG-2019-05, the Town of New Tecumseth will be hosting a Public Information Session regarding Tottenham potable water to present information to address water quality concerns raised by residents.  

The Public Open House meeting will be held on the following date and location:

Date:               Tuesday, April 2, 2019

Time:              7 pm to 9 pm

Location:        Tottenham Community & Fitness Centre, 139 Queen Street North, Tottenham, ON, L0G 1W0

The purpose of this Public Information Session is to present information to the public to address water quality concerns raise by residents. Information will

include:

• natural groundwater precursors, disinfection treatment, resulting THM’s, iron sequestration;
• recognize on-going operational optimizations to improve water quality
• to identify proposed water supply solutions to reduce use of existing groundwater wells.

Town Staff and representatives from the Ministry of Health/ Simcoe Muskoka

District Health Unit will be in attendance to assist the public with their questions about the Tottenham water system.

If you are unable to attend the Open House and wish to review the presentation information or provide comments, the information package along with comment sheets will be placed on the Town’s website at www.newtecumseth.ca following the meeting date or you can view in person at the Town Administrative Centre, Alliston or at the Joint Operations Centre, Beeton during regular business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You may also contact the Public Works Department at 905-729-0057 x1400 to obtain a copy of the document. 

The 2016 Town Water Supply, Distribution and Storage Master Plan, (WMP) was presented to Town Council in August 2016, for approval to post the document for its 30-day Public Review. As part of this process, an objection (Part II Order) was filed and requested the Ministry of Environment, Climate, and Parks (MECP) review the preferred solutions for the Tottenham water supply. In April 2018, the MECP after careful review of the Part II Order, determined that an individual environmental assessment was not required and allowed the recommendations of the WMP to proceed as presented. 

The preferred solution to providing Tottenham with additional supply and addressing the water quality issues was identified as the construction of a transmission main from Beeton to the Mill Street water reservoir in Tottenham. The transmission main is intended to provide a supply of water from Allison water system to offset the volume of water required from the Tottenham wells and help improve the water quality in Tottenham. 

In September 2018, Council awarded the Route Study and Preliminary design works to RVA for the Tottenham Transmission main. RVA has been actively working on the project and the following timeline has been proposed to complete the project: 

• September 2018 to April 2019 - Route Selection Study

• April/May 2019 – Approval of Route Selection Study and Award of Detailed Design Phase by Council

• 2019 – Final Design / Approvals / Issue Tender

• 2020 – Award Tender / Start Construction

• 2021 – Construction

• 2022 - Commissioning 

This schedule is generally in keeping with the information that was provided to Council through report ENG-2018-38. 

Staff have been working closely with RVA and are satisfied the project is continuing to progress in keeping with the schedule.

 Yes, Tottenham’s drinking water supply system meets all the Province of Ontario’s drinking water regulations and continues to be in compliance. The provincial government, through the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, regulates our municipal water supply system to ensure water safety and quality. The Town of New Tecumseth strictly adheres to all testing and reporting regulations as set out by the province.

The Public Works Department is an accredited operating authority as defined in the Safe Drinking Water Act. The accreditation continues to be granted by a third-party Accreditation Body through a documented quality management standard that meets the applicable requirements of the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard 2.0. The accreditation is based on a full scope audit of the Quality Management System subject to meeting the “Plan” and “Do” requirements for all twenty-one elements of the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard. 

Tottenham’s water is solely sourced from ground water wells and its natural make-up consists of high iron content and naturally occurring organics which is the primary reason for periodic discolouration.

The Town’s Water Supply, Distribution and Storage Master Plan (WMP) includes a plan to connect Tottenham to the Alliston/Beeton water distribution system in order to meet the long-term Tottenham water supply needs and address the well water quality and reduce discolouration. 

A transmission main will be installed between Tottenham and Beeton connecting to the existing water distribution system to provide the primary source water for Tottenham. The Tottenham ground water wells will supplement peak day demands. As per the analysis shown in Report ENG-2020-02, there is sufficient supply to meet our obligations in the short term – including ensuring water is brought to Tottenham in 2022 after the pipeline is constructed. Beyond that, in order to meet future development, additional supply from Collingwood will need to come on-line. Following the increase in supply from Collingwood, the Town can then look at future development growth, subject to the Town’s Official Plan and population/employment allocation. 

 The 2020 Capital Budget for the construction of the transmission main and reservoir expansion is $16,385,000. The Tottenham transmission main and reservoir expansion is currently under design and is scheduled to be tendered in the spring of 2020 followed by construction. The project works are anticipated to be commissioned and placed online in 2022.

The existing transmission mains have been sized in accordance with the 2016 Water Master Plan to ultimately meet the 2031 Max Day Demands in New Tecumseth. Table 9.1 in the 2016 WMP identifies the water projects required to meet the 2031 planning horizon in New Tecumseth. This table includes projects such as twinning of the Alliston to Beeton transmission main and various booster pump stations.  

The Town is in the process of negotiating a new water supply agreement with Collingwood and that new water supply is anticipated to be received by 2024.  This increased supply is intended to meet known water demands up to 2031.  Demands beyond 2031 would need to identify additional water supply and the conveyance capacity would need to be confirmed as part of future studies. 

Trihalomethanes (THMs) are a group of compounds that can sometimes be found in chlorinated water that is drawn from a source with high levels of organic materials. THMs are produced when chlorine reacts with the naturally occurring organics in the source water. As per the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, the health risks from drinking water that has not been disinfected are much higher than the perceived risks from disinfection by-products, including THMs. 

The existing Tottenham water supply is provided by four groundwater wells which have challenging natural water quality. There is presence of methane, elevated natural ammonia leading to a need for high chlorine dosages for disinfection, presence of natural bromide and elevated natural iron resulting in aesthetic concerns. The dosage and treatment with chlorine contributes to elevated levels of THMs. 

The Ontario Drinking Water Standard requires the annual running average of THMs to be below 100 μg / litre (100 micrograms per litre, or 0.1 mg per litre) of drinking water. As stated on the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s website, “periodic increases in THMs above 100 μg / L have not been found to be associated with negative health impacts.”

The Chief Drinking Water Inspector annual report and 2019 Tottenham Annual Report confirm that Tottenham meets all THM drinking water regulations.

For more information on THMs, you can visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s website at: www.smdhu.org 

The Town has installed an Aeration System in the Mill Street Reservoir in Tottenham which is now fully active and operating. The next step involves a monitoring and sampling phase in order to establish a baseline to assess the effectiveness of the Aeration System in reducing trihalomethanes (THM) in the Tottenham Water System.

The Town continues to carryout routine maintenance by way of an aggressive distribution system flushing and swabbing schedule aimed at reducing sediment and debris in all water mains. The reduction of water age through automatic flushing stations, shorting the disinfection reaction time to generate THM’s. Minimizing stratification in the Water Tower through mixing and maintaining appropriate storage volume. The continuous monitoring of the disinfection process to ensure an optimum Sodium Hypochlorite concentration while maintaining regulatory limits. 

Personal filtration systems are a private component of property plumbing. Property owners are responsible for the purchase and maintenance cost associated with the operation of private filtration systems. The municipality does not perform testing and monitoring of filtered water to ensure compliance with the Province of Ontario’s drinking water regulations.

 You can view the water quality reports here. 

 If I have specific health related concerns or questions, who should I contact?

For health related inquiries, please visit the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s website at www.smdhu.org or call 1-877-721-7520.