Alliston Groundwater Optimization

P23-19 Alliston Groundwater Optimization Phase 1

Background

The Town of New Tecumseth Water Supply, Distribution, and Storage Master Plan completed by R.V. Anderson and Associates Limited in 2016 has identified the need for additional groundwater supplies for the communities of Alliston, Beeton and Tottenham. This report is available under, "Plans, Studies, and Reports" on the Town website. The Town’s objective is to increase groundwater supply capacity and security of supply, to meet the projected water demands for the Town to horizon year 2031.

The following studies and investigations were conducted with the objective to identify opportunities to increase the groundwater supply capacity:

• 2016
  • The 2016 Water Supply, Distribution, and Storage Master Plan identified the need to increase groundwater well supply by 3,900 cubic metres per day to address the water deficit and provide security of supply
• 2018
  • This was the start of the EA process with CIMA+.
  • A total of nineteen (19) potential test well sites were identified as part of a Groundwater Exploration Program.
  • Based on well testing, it was concluded that the drilling program was unsuccessful in locating a suitable new groundwater supply with regard to preferred quantity and quality of groundwater
• 2021
  • The Town completed a Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) to address the supply deficit.
  • The preferred alternative was to develop a new production well and treatment facility on the existing Hillcrest Well Site.
  • The Class EA also noted additional strategies to be implemented with the preferred alternative, which included optimizing the existing groundwater system.
  • Subsequently, the Hillcrest Well Site was thoroughly explored and deemed unsuitable as the desired yield was not achieved
• 2022/2023
  • The Town conducted a Groundwater Well Optimization Study based on the Class EA to identify other opportunities to increase the groundwater supply capacity.
  • 72-hour and 32-day Aquifer Tests completed.
  • The study recommended that the firm capacity of the system could be increased by approximately 34 Litres per second if two (2) additional wells are constructed near the existing Well 5 site and Well 4/6 sites.
  • The actual well yields should be confirmed through well testing. Additionally, the capacity of the existing Well 7 could potentially be increased by approximately 2 L/s to provide additional capacity to the overall system.

 Scope of Work and Areas of Interest

In 2024 the Town retained R.V. Anderson Associates Limited and their hydrogeological team to continue with the works recommended in the Groundwater Well Optimization Study.

The current project, Alliston Groundwater Optimization Phase 1, was initiated in January 2024 to support the drilling of two (2) test wells and subsequently production wells (referred to as Wells 9 and 10), if expected well yield capacities are acceptable, at the Well 4/6 and Well 5 site. Engineering services for this assignment will also include undertaking the necessary investigations and studies to support the increase of capacity of Well 7 by approximately 2 Litres per second to further increase the supply capacity.

The work and timeline are dependant on the findings of the well drilling activity, permitting requirements and budget availability. Updates will be provided accordingly.

Water is expected to be provided no earlier than Q2 2026.

Anticipated Timeline

 Activities Timeline