Elevated Tank and Booster Pump Station Environmental Assessment Study

May 11, 2023: Lakefront Utility Services Inc. in partnership with the Town of Cobourg has completed a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) to identify the preferred long-term water storage and pumping solution that meets the servicing requirements for Cobourg’s existing population and projected growth.

The Cobourg Drinking Water System (DWS) is owned by the Town of Cobourg and operated by Lakefront Utility Services Inc. (LUSI). The Cobourg DWS draws its water from Lake Ontario, supplying drinking water to the Town of Cobourg and some areas of Hamilton Township. As identified in the Cobourg DWS Master Plan completed in 2021, a solution is required to address storage capacity constraints in Zone 1 of the Town of Cobourg’s distribution system and pumping capacity limitations in Zone 2.

About the Study
In May 2022, Lakefront Utility Services Inc. (LUSI) initiated a Study to address capacity limitations in the Town of Cobourg’s drinking water system. The goal of the study was to identify the preferred location for a new Elevated Tank and Booster Pump Station. The need for this project was documented in the Town of Cobourg’s Drinking Water System Master Plan, completed in 2021.

Various potential locations were identified for the new Elevated Tank and Booster Pump Station. Each location was evaluated based on its impact to the natural environment, social/ cultural impacts, technical merits and financial cost.

Community Engagement
Feedback received through the Community Engagement project was collected on the preferred solution identified by the Study. Comments were taken into consideration for the completion of the final Project File Report.

Study Findings
The Class EA process evaluated several alternatives to address the capacity and pumping shortfalls in the water distribution system. The preferred alternative identified was to construct a new Zone 1 Elevated Tank and a new Zone 2 Booster Pumping Station. Five different sites were considered for the construction of the new facilities. The preferred site identified was 700 D’Arcy Street, southeast of the Cobourg Community Centre.

Supporting Documentation:
(see documents folder)

• Project File Report
• Notice of Study Completion - Posted May 11, 2023

Next Steps:
Following the thirty (30) calendar day review period noted in the project Notice of Study Completion, Lakefront Utilities Services Inc. (LUSI) will complete the detailed design of the Elevated Tank and Booster Pumping Station including associated works. Construction is expected to start in late 2023 and is anticipated will take eighteen (18) to twenty-four (24) months to complete.