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City of Toronto – Basement Flooding Protection Program Capacity Assessment Study Bundle C

With climate change driving more extreme weather events, cities like Toronto have had to innovate in their wastewater management strategies to protect communities from the devastating effects of basement flooding. This case study explores the City of Toronto’s Basement Flooding Protection Program Capacity Assessment Study Bundle C, sharing valuable insights for those in the municipal and land development sectors.

Project Description

The City of Toronto, in partnership with Civica Infrastructure Inc., conducted a comprehensive study to develop a remediation strategy aimed at mitigating basement flooding. This initiative followed a Schedule B, Class EA process, responding to the challenges posed by severe rainfall events.

The study involved an extensive water flow monitoring system, with 95 flow monitors and 20 rain gauges installed and operated over 20 months. These tools were crucial in identifying areas of high inflow and infiltration within both the sanitary and storm sewer systems.

Through rigorous data collection and analysis, Civica was able to calibrate sanitary and storm models. We conducted visual downspout surveys, GPS surveys, and assessments of catch basins and low-lying areas to develop an InfoWorks ICM model specific to Areas 55, 58, 65, and 66.

The creation of separate sanitary and storm system models allowed for the identification of system deficiencies, enabling the development and assessment of alternative remedial measures to reduce basement flooding risks.

Relevance of Experience

Civica’s experience in the following areas contributed to the project’s success:

Lessons Learned

This sewer inspection and analysis project provided many lessons, including:

  • Accuracy Matters: Obtaining accurate model input data is crucial. This requires thorough field investigations, additional flow and rainfall monitoring, and rigorous QA/QC measures. Accurate data leads to successful modelling outputs, essential for effective wastewater management and flood analysis.
  • Stakeholder Communication: Consistent and active communication with stakeholders, including the City and other consultants, is vital for project success. Clear communication channels ensure alignment and facilitate the smooth execution of tasks, making project management more efficient and effective.
  • Effective Remedial Measures: Reducing inflow and infiltration in the study area is crucial. Key measures include replacing perforated sanitary and combined sewer maintenance hole covers in separated areas, conducting dye tests in homes to detect interconnections between storm and sanitary drains, and eliminating the connection of roof leaders to the sanitary sewer system.

Civica: Experts in Sanitary and Storm Sewer Capacity Analysis

The City of Toronto’s Basement Flooding Protection Program offers valuable insights into modern wastewater management. By implementing thorough data collection, accurate modelling, and effective stakeholder communication, municipalities and developers can better prepare for and mitigate the impacts of flooding.

Civica understands the importance of precision, collaboration, and proactive measures in safeguarding communities against the challenges posed by climate change. For more information about sanitary and storm system management, please contact Civica today.