PUC approves tender to replace aging sewage pumps in Chatham

Apr 20, 2023

Chatham-Kent's public utilities commission recently approved a tender of just more than $520,000 to replace aging sewage pumps.

Staff had recommended that Birnam Excavating Ltd. of Arkona perform the work at sanitary pump station 11. According to a report, replacement is needed for two existing pumps and check valves.

The pump station, which services all of north Chatham, was originally built in 1973 as a temporary measure to accommodate the development needs of the area.

"The existing equipment is at the end of its useful life, requiring frequent maintenance that is disruptive to the operation and maintenance staff and surrounding community," the report stated.

The engineering services for this contract are being provided by TY Lin International Canada Inc.

The project will be funded from this year's capital budget.

SERVICES APPROVED

The commission also approved a proposal for engineering services for the Selkirk Street sewer separation and Memory Lane reconstruction in Chatham.

RC Spencer Associates Inc. of Chatham will do the work for $173,082.

In the 1970s, Gore and Storrie Ltd. consulting engineers completed a survey of municipal sewage systems servicing the former City of Chatham.

These studies identified strategies for the separation of storm and sanitary flows from existing combined sewers.

Combined sewers handle both sanitary and storm flows. Under wet weather conditions, combined flows are directed to a treatment facility, as well as into a receiving water body, such as the Thames River, since the flows are usually higher than the combined sewer system can accommodate.

By separating storm and sanitary flows, these surcharge situations can be eliminated, the report added.

This project is a continuation of capital projects associated with the Van Allen area storm sewer system completed over previous years.

The most recent phase, finished last year, was the sewer separation and reconstruction of Dovercourt Street, along with Gladstone Avenue from Delaware Avenue to Coverdale Street.

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