CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT

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Asher Newman
8 years ago
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1 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Subject: LACOMBE RESERVOIR FILL LINE Recommendation(s) That Administration be authorized to spend up to $200,000 from the Utility Water Reserve to investigate the source of a water leak in the Lacombe Reservoir Fill Line and the impacts that leak may have had on the adjacent retaining wall. Purpose of Report The purpose of this report is to request spending of funds in order to allow Administration to complete further testing to investigate the source of the water leak in the Lacombe Lake Fill Line and the impacts of the suspected leak on surrounding infrastructure. Council Direction Background and Discussion As shown in Attachment 1 there are two large diameter waterlines that share a common trench located in a 6-metre Utility Right of Way (URW), the waterlines are between 4 and 11-metres deep. The URW is bordered to the West by the Odyssey Point condominiums and to the South by the residences of Oak Vista Drive. There is a large grade differential between the condos and the houses which is why there is also a private retaining wall that spans approximately 120 metres and is between 4 and 7 metres in height as shown in Attachment 2. On July 1, 2015, Utilities was made aware of a retaining wall that was showing signs of water infiltration that the resident thought was the cause of their sump pump running continually. At the time, there was no obvious reason for the water infiltration such as major rain event. For this reason, Utilities began to look at the possibility of a water leak in one of the two waterlines located in the URW. Utilities determined there was likely a water leak in the 500mm line that fills the Lacombe Reservoir and brought Engineering in to help determine solutions. To date, efforts have not revealed the location of the leak, therefore Administration is requesting funds to complete additional acoustic testing on the line that will determine most accurately, where the leak is located. In addition, Administration is August 24, 2015 / Page 1

Purpose of Report The purpose of this report is to request spending of funds in order to allow Administration to complete further testing to investigate the source of the water leak in the Lacombe

2 requesting that funds be available to conduct seismic testing which will map out any potential void areas that may have developed behind the retaining wall. Given the age of the infrastructure, the development that has occurred around the waterlines, and the depth and location of these waterlines, the possibility that rehabilitation can be completed once the leak is found is remote. For these reasons and due to the risk of further leaks occurring in either of the two lines, Administration will be bringing forward a project charter in 2016 to address the relocation of these two lines as a permanent solution for Councils consideration. Currently the Lacombe Reservoir is being filled by the distribution system through a smaller sized main, which although not ideal, is sustainable with changes in the operations procedures in the short term. Administration has completed a risk analysis and the risk is manageable to continue on this back up line until a 2016 project can be approved. Stakeholder Communications or Engagement Administration will work closely with all residents that will be impacted by this work. Implications of Recommendation(s) If Council does not support this request, Administration may not be able to identify the possible cause and effect of this suspected water leak putting both residents and the city at risk. a) Financial: If approved this will become a part of the utility model and there will be an associate rate increase. b) Legal / Risk: If this work is not completed, the legal risks are potentially large and include damage to property and physical injury if the retaining wall were to fail. c) Program or Service: Until the water lines are relocated Utilities will need to revise their operating procedures to accommodate for possible fire flows or to mitigate effects of breaks on the same line at another location. d) Organizational: None at this time August 24, 2015 / Page 2

3 Alternatives and Implications Considered If Council does not wish to support the recommendation, the only alternative is to allocate funds to complete the water line relocation. Strategic Connections a) Council s Strategic Outcomes and Priorities (See Policy C-CG-02) CULTIVATE A GREEN COMMUNITY: A healthy natural environment for future generations that preserves and promotes enjoyment, conservation and responsible development. CULTIVATE EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT: A responsive, accountable government that delivers value to the community. CULTIVATE SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES: A growing community that has balanced development and management of civic facilities, transportation networks and related services. CULTIVATE A SAFE, HEALTHY AND INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY: A community that provides opportunities for everyone to realize their potential in a thinking, caring and connected way. b) Long Term Plans (e.g. MDP, Social Master Plan, Cultural Master Plan, etc.) c) Corporate Objectives (See Corporate Business Plan) Deliver programs and services that meet or exceed our standards Exercise strong fiscal management Ensure our customers are very satisfied d) Council Policies e) Other Plans or Initiatives (Business Plans, Implementation Strategies, etc.) Attachment(s) 1. Site Map 2. Pictures of the retaining wall Originating Department(s): Author(s): General Manager Approval: City Manager Signature: Planning & Engineering Sue Howard, Capital Projects Manager Gilles Prefontaine, Chief Community Development Officer Date: August 24, 2015 / Page 3

enjoyment, conservation and responsible development. CULTIVATE EXCELLENCE IN GOVERNMENT: A responsive, accountable government that delivers value to the community.

4 ATTACHMENT 1 Retaining Wall (Location of Photo 1) Location of Photo 2

5 Waterlines 4-10m below fence line ATTACHMENT 2

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