The objectives of the Sewer Master Plan were to:

  1. Understand the causes of basement, surface and coastal flooding

  2. Identify vulnerable areas

  3. Identify and evaluate short-term and long-term solutions to reduce the impacts and risks of flooding

  4. Identify improvements to City infrastructure

  5. Identify actions that homeowners can take to reduce their risk of flooding

  6. Develop preliminary designs and cost estimates for the recommended infrastructure improvements

  7. Develop recommendations for an implementation strategy

Updates on the progress of the project were reported to Council on a quarterly basis.

In addition, public consultation was undertaken through Public Information Centre (PIC) Meetings that were held in June of 2018 and February of 2020 and at eight meetings of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee.

Levels of service were established and used as a benchmark to determine where problem areas exist and where improvements are needed in order to reduce the risk of flooding.

Alternate solutions were evaluated following the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process, comparing each solution based on natural, social, cultural and economic environment considerations.

Discussion:

The Sewer and Coastal Flood Protection Master Plan has identified both short-term and long-term alternative solutions that will reduce the risk of basement and surface flooding in the City of Windsor, while also considering the ongoing impacts of climate change, low impact development (LID) best management practices, and water quality.

The recommended solutions focus on improvement in the following areas:

  1. Increase downstream outlet capacity

    • Treatment Capacity Improvements

    • Retention Treatment Basin (RTB) at Lou Romano Water Reclamation Plant

    • New or upgraded pumping stations – 12 sites

  2. Source control, with both private property and public infrastructure improvements

    • Mandatory Foundation Drain Disconnection

    • Downspout Disconnection

    • Low Impact Development (LID) Measures

    • Sealing Sanitary Sewer Systems (1500 units)

  3.  Improve sewer system, for conveyance and storage

    • Increase sewer sizes

      • Sanitary Sewer System improvements – 48 km