The stormwater requirement could become a drain on Bradford’s finances

Bradford’s stormwater system appears to be up to par, but increasing monitoring and operational requirements in the province could see funds flow downstream.

That’s according to two reports by Samantha MacKenzie, compliance manager, and Frank Jonkman, drainage superintendent, which were both included as part of the May 7 council meeting.

The first report, produced in collaboration by the pair, provides the first annual report on the city’s stormwater system under the new provincial regulations and examines the system’s performance for 2023.

Serving approximately 45,000 people, the system is reported to include approximately 135 kilometers of storm sewer pipes, approximately 217 open ditch road sections (the length of which is expected to be measured in 2024), 30 stormwater ponds (including 21 assumed by the city and nine maintained by the developers), as well as a collection of canals, catch basins, storage tanks and treatment devices.

The report found no operational problems, three leakage events and two complaints.

On January 12, 2023, a hydraulic leak occurred from a vehicle, and absorbent material was applied to the area by the responsible person, the spill being contained on the roadway.

On May 4, 2023, sludge from a concrete vehicle spilled, and the responsible party was ordered to cease work and retain a remedial company. A vacuum cleaner was used to clean the area.

On July 31, the powder compound was released due to a broken line, and the line was immediately stopped and repaired by the responsible party. They hired a contractor to clean up the area.

Both complaints were about ditches that were slowly draining after rainfall and were made by residents on May 2 and July 26, and in both cases the drains were flushed to alleviate the problem.

While staff reported that no stormwater ponds were completely dredged in 2023, excess vegetation was removed from Dale Crescent Pond, 11.6 km of main storm line was flushed, and approximately 12% of catchments in city ​​were cleaned.

In addition to regular system maintenance, staff have also been busy meeting new provincial requirements.

However, to comply with the new mandatory requirements, city staff must develop and implement new procedures and operational guidelines for inspection, monitoring, operation, maintenance and reporting.

“The operational effects … are expected to lead to operational changes as well as increased financial commitments,” MacKenzie said in the second report, adding that the city may need to spend more on staff, technology, training and external parties to meet the requirements. .

While staff have already completed some of the required tasks, others cannot even begin yet.

For example, the city must create a monitoring plan for the stormwater system, but according to the report, the ministry had not yet published guidelines for this, and as a result, staff had no monitoring data.

“With respect to the stormwater management system, work has been completed as required and will require considerable time and effort to implement the program,” MacKenzie said in the report.

However, the city plans to install water gauges and data loggers at certain stormwater ponds starting this year.

Jonkman previously raised the issue of potential associated cost increases during a Feb. 20 council meeting.

At the time, he noted that the 2024 budget includes $150,000 for a stormwater master plan, which is expected to include hiring a consultant to review the stormwater system, identify funding needs and recommend models of funding the city can use in the future – including whether or not to fund canal maintenance within private inlets.

Meanwhile, other improvements are underway as the system experiences “rapid expansion”, including a pilot project for closed-circuit television (CCTV) monitoring of stormwater lines and another pilot project to install garbage traps in 30 storm drains around the city.

In addition, new boards with educational graphics about the systems are planned to be installed at 13 stormwater ponds where foot traffic is expected, the pond on Langford Boulevard being an example.

They follow and will replace four older educational signs that were installed about five years ago, Jonkman said.

The Council received the reports without discussion.