Downtown watermain and sewermain replacements

November 8 update: 

The project is complete. Thank you for your patience throughout the project. 

November 3 update: 

The project is currently on schedule. Truck traffic has now been routed back onto Vancouver Street. 

October 27 update: 

Paving of Vancouver Street is underway as weather permits. The truck detour will remain in place until paving is complete. 

October 23 update:

The truck detour will remain in place until paving is complete in late October early November. Final cleanup work will continue into November.

 October 13 update:

The Vancouver Street dewatering equipment is expected to be turned off next week. The truck detour will remain in place until later this month when the paving of Vancouver Street is expected to be complete. We recognize this project has been disruptive to the surrounding neighbours and we thank you for your patience while we complete these important infrastructure upgrades to accommodate our community’s growth.

October 2 update:

• The project is currently on schedule and expected to be complete by the end of October.
• Pipe installation work is expected to be complete within the next week, at which time, the dewatering equipment will be shut-down and removed.

• The truck route detour will be in-place until paving work on Vancouver Street is complete in mid-to-late October.

August 21 update: Odour and water sample testing update

The District is undertaking a project that will improve the reliability of the District’s sanitary sewer and water system by replacing this aged infrastructure with more resilient materials, and up-sizing the pipes to provide increased capacity to service the Newport Beach oceanfront development.  

Project Details:

The project will consist of:  

• Replacement of 130 m of sanitary sewer on Third Avenue between Vancouver Street and Main Street.
• Replacement of 260 m of sanitary sewer on Vancouver Street from Loggers Lane to Third Avenue.
• Construction of a new watermain tie-in at the intersection of Loggers Lane and Vancouver Street.

Traffic Impacts: Temporary road closures and parking restrictions are expected to occur throughout the project duration.  Detour routes will be clearly marked. Please expect delays with single lane alternating traffic for local traffic in the construction zone. Emergency vehicle access will be maintained at all times. 

Timeframe: Late July end of October

Update - August 21, 2017

The black, inky water that is being pumped into the storm water pond at Third Avenue and Main Street Downtown is heavy with organic decaying materials, and is not an indication of any contamination. There is no release of sewage. There are no contaminants entering the estuary.

The District has been pumping ground water at the above location in order to lower ground water levels to allow a new sewer pipe to be installed. Testing holes prior to the pumping did not reveal large organic layers. The environmental consultant (on site) indicates that this is likely material from below the storm pond being pumped to the surface. The Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Provincial Ministry of Environment have been informed of the issue by the District and concerned residents, and are happy with the approach we are taking.

Water samples have been taken and testing has revealed the water contains only organic matter and no contaminants. The odour from the water is quite unpleasant at times, however the District’s air sampling equipment indicates levels of hydrogen sulphide at levels far below acceptable safety thresholds.

The disruption from construction and the odours certainly have had an impact on the neighbours, and the District would like to apologize. We’re doing everything we can to lessen the impact. The pipe has been relocated to the other side of the road and the water is being piped all the way to the pond rather than discharging it into the ditch. While we didn’t anticipate that the water being pumped would smell as much as it does, we’re confident that there are no safety or environmental hazards associated with it.

We will provide updates as more information becomes available. 

July 25, 2017