On Thursday, February 26, Champlain Township Council unanimously approved a sewer relining project for L’Orignal, valued at approximately $3.2 million. More than two-thirds of the project, $2.3 million, will be covered by provincial Health and Safety Water Stream (HSWS) and Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF) grants.
Champlain Director of Public Works, Maxime Lafrance, noted EVB Engineering Ltd. will perform the engineering design and contract administration for the relining of the L’Orignal sanitary sewer system at a cost of $276,072, exclusive of HST. EVB was selected based on its previous work on projects such as the reconstruction of Stephen Street, St. Denis Street, and King Street.
The project’s total estimated cost is $3,188,946.25, with Champlain Township contributing $861,015.49. The remaining $2,327,930.76 will be covered by provincial HEWSF funding of $769,372.55 and HSWS funding of $1,558,558.21. The HEWSF grant will fund relining 2,562 metres in L’Orignal, specifically covering Victoria, Queen, Court, Peter, and John Streets, as well as Bernard Crescent. The HSWS grant will fund the relining of the remaining 4,998 metres, covering all other sanitary sewers in town.
In total, 7,550 metres of existing sanitary sewer mains will be relined and sealed, reducing leaks, inflow, and infiltration. The project aims to fix recurring sewer backups in homes, reduce hydraulic overload on the pumping station and wastewater treatment plant, protect public health, and prevent overflows into the Ottawa River.
Ultimately, the work will extend the life of the 1970s pipes by at least another 50 years. No start date for the project has been determined at this time.
