Carlington Heights pump station upgrade

Potable water pump station design and construction project
Contract no. ISD15-3008

Background

The City of Ottawa is planning to upgrade the Carlington Heights Pump Station (CHPS) Upgrade. The main objective of the upgrades is to improve the reliability of water supply to roughly one third of the City’s central water distribution system, and to provide additional capacity needed to accommodate future urban growth. The project is identified in the City’s current Infrastructure Master Plan.

The current design assignment follows the previous work completed under the Carlington Heights Pump Station Site Upgrade Environmental Assessment and Functional Design Study which identified and evaluated various infrastructure alternatives, selected a preferred alternative, and provided for a functional design of the required upgrades.

CHPS was originally constructed in 1963. It draws water directly from the adjacent Carlington Heights Reservoir and supplies a population of over 250,000. The City of Ottawa is divided into various water system pressure zones based on providing customers with an appropriate minimum and maximum water pressure. Figure 1 shows the City's various water pressure zones. The CHPS is currently a two zone station serving the Meadowlands East (ME) and 2W Pressure Zones. The 2W Pressure Zone also supplies all of the water to the 3W and 3SW Pressure Zones. The station is a back-up source of water for Zones 2W, 3W, 3SW and SUC Pressure Zones, and is the only source of water for the ME Pressure Zone under normal operating conditions. These zones are noted on the following map.

The 2008 Infrastructure Master Plan identified the need for additional capacity at the CHPS. The output of this pump station is limited by pump capacity and the size of the suction and discharge piping near the station. Improvements are needed so that this pumping station can provide adequate emergency supply to Zones 2W, 3W, and 3SW. These improvements will also add capacity to accommodate projected urban growth in these zones.

Project objectives

The City of Ottawa Infrastructure Master Plan (IMP) has identified the need for additional capacity at the CHPS.

Improvements are needed so that this pump station can provide adequate emergency supply to the City’s various water pressure zones.

This project will improve the reliability of supply to both existing and future development.

Project description

A new pump station, Morisset Avenue, will be designed and then constructed. The new pump station will be located on the west side of the reservoir, tight against the berm and adjacent to the existing communication tower compound. The existing pump station will remain in operation throughout the construction period of the new Pump station, as it is the only source of water supply to the ME Pressure Zone. The existing pump station will only be decommissioned and demolished after the new pump station has been fully commissioned and is operating to the full satisfaction of the City. The main components of the new pump station include the following:

• A new building complete with all new mechanical and electrical equipment to provide for the pumping needs for the ME Pressure Zone and the backup pumping needs of the 2W Pressure Zone.
• Backup power supply for the ME Pressure Zone pumps.
• A new 914mm diameter suction watermain connected directly to the existing 1200mm diameter watermain on the east side of the reservoir.
• Four new discharge watermains connected to existing watermains that supply water to the ME and 2W Pressure Zones.
• Demolition of the existing pump station after the new pump station has been fully commissioned.

Project timing

Design completion: fall 2023
Construction start: spring 2024
Substantial completion: fall 2025
Final completion: spring 2026

Budget

Project funds approved to date are $20.53 million.

Public involvement

A public information session took place on 15th May 2017 at the Carlington Recreation Centre on Caldwell Avenue, to present the background and the main features of the project to the public, and the expected impacts on the site access during the construction stage. A second public information session took place in spring 2022.

Accessibility

Accessibility is an important consideration for the City of Ottawa. The City makes every effort to provide access through and around construction sites. If you require a disability-related accommodation, please contact the project team listed below. Accessible formats and communication supports are available, upon request.

Safety

The City of Ottawa is committed to safety in and around project sites. The project team continues to work closely with the industry and to comply with recommendations provided by municipal, provincial and federal health officials, as well as the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

For any emergency outside normal working hours on weekdays and weekends, call the City at 3-1-1.
Should you have any inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact:

City Project Manager
Mohamed El-Sarji, P.Eng.
Senior Engineer, Infrastructure Projects
Design and Construction – Facilities
100 Constellation Drive, Ottawa, ON K2G 6J8
Tel.: 613-580-2424, ext. 22191
Cell: 613-897-5837

Online engagement opportunity (April 13, 2022)

In April 2022, the City of Ottawa invited residents to review the updated project drawings and provide comments. A virtual public information session was held on April 13, 2022 at 7 pm.

Presentation [ 1.57 MB ]

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Public information session (May 15, 2017)

In May 2017, the City of Ottawa invited residents to review the updated project drawings and provide comments. The meeting was held on May 15, 2017, at the Carlington Recreation Centre (Gymnasium) at 1520 Caldwell Avenue from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm and shared information on the planned project.

Existing infrastructure [ PDF - 1.82 MB ]
Design rendering of the new pump station [ PDF - 3.1 MB ]
What to expect during construction [ PDF - 2.55 MB ]
Expected traffic routes [ PDF - 3.67 MB ]

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