TRACK 2, DAY 1
ABSTRACT
In 2018, combined sewage was discovered to be discharging into Chedoke Creek from one of Hamilton’s CSO tanks during dry weather. This led to a degradation of water quality in Chedoke Creek, as well as Cootes Paradise and Hamilton Harbour.
Dry weather discharge had been occurring since 2014 due to a failure of the CSO tank’s gate system and faulty diagnostics. This discharge was reported by the City to MECP, who subsequently issued an Officer’s Order in 2018, ordering the City to investigate the cause and establish a strategy for addressing the impacts.
The City collected and reviewed data including in-water sediment, water quality and biota. A report was issued in early 2019, which concluded the waterway was laden with recent and legacy contaminants and recommended remediation through dredging.
The MECP issued a follow-up Director’s Order in late 2020, requiring the City to first prepare a detailed work plan to conduct targeted dredging, and secondly prepare a long-term strategy to address residual impacts of the CSO discharge to the broader waterway system. Both the work plan and long-term strategy were approved by MECP by mid-2021.
The City then began to plan, design and tender the Targeted Dredge works, awarding a contract in 2022, with the targeted dredge work largely completed by the end of 2023.
Concurrently, the City completed the Chedoke Creek Water Quality Improvement Framework, which provided a basis for addressing the residual impacts to the system. The Framework outlined a program of capital works, operations and maintenance improvements, new policy and engagement/public outreach.
Work is underway in all recommended streams including several Class EA studies, policy updates and other improvements.
ABOUT THE PRESENTERS
Ron Scheckenberger, Scheckenberger & Associates Ltd.
Ron has over 40 years of consulting experience in the water resources field, predominantly in Southern Ontario.
He has participated in over 1,500 projects including leading numerous teams to address complex problems resulting in the largest resume of Subwatershed Studies in Ontario over last 25 years.
Ron has guided innovative and award-winning solutions for several Ontario projects and in 2022, Ron formed his own consultancy Scheckenberger & Associates Ltd.
Tim Crowley, City of Hamilton
Tim has over 20 years of experience working in both the public and private sector within the water, wastewater, and stormwater fields.
In Hamilton Water’s newly formed Watershed Management section, Tim is accountable for the Remediation of Chedoke Creek, Government Funding Administration, Academic Partnership Programming, Woodward Community Liaison Committee Lead and supporting the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan.