FAQs

The Class EA initiated in 2013 began as a Schedule C Class EA under the 2010 Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) process. Over the last 10 years, the MCEA has been amended two times (2015 and 2023) and Carlisle has completed a comprehensive water conservation program. Given the lapse of time and amendments to the MCEA process, the City has initiated a new Schedule B Class EA.

Municipal Class Environmental Assessments (MCEA) are undertaken for municipal road, water, wastewater, and transit construction projects to ensure all reasonable alternatives are considered and that a preferred alternative will have minimal impact on the natural, cultural, social, and economic environment.

Projects requiring improvements and minor expansions to existing facilities that have the potential for some adverse environmental effects are required to be completed in accordance with Schedule 'B' (Phase 1 and 2) of the Class EA planning process.

The goal of the Class EA is to address the problem / opportunity statement identified for the study, i.e. to ensure that Carlisle will have long-term, sustainable water infrastructure. More specifically, the EA will aim to determine the most-suitable type and location of water storage required to serve the community for years to come.

The EA will consider reasonable sites and infrastructure options to provide long-term sustainable and reliable water supply to all existing residents and projected future population within the settlement area.

The EA will determine the preferred location and water storage type based on the broad definition of the environment under the EA Act, including impacts to the:

• Social environment (i.e., Effects on neighbouring properties, Sensory impacts during and after construction (noise, dust, etc.), effects on cultural heritage and archaeological resources); 
• Technical Environment (i.e., Ability to meet existing and future water demands, Compatibility with existing systems, Ease of implementation, Effects on operations and maintenance);
• Natural Environment (i.e., Effects on wildlife and vegetation, Effects on habitats and air quality, Effects on Source Water Protection, and Climate Change); and

Relative Cost and Financial Risk (i.e., Affordability, Relative magnitude of expense, Additional costs related to unknowns, Potential construction risks that could impact cost or other financial risks).

No. The long list of alternative storage locations, and types of water storage will be evaluated in consideration of the comments submitted at this PIC. Public consultation will continue to be incorporated into the evaluation process throughout the EA.

Input from the public, stakeholders and technical agencies is essential. As such, comments from the public are encouraged to help the study constructively move forward to meet Carlisle's water storage needs. Comments received at the first PIC will be reviewed for consideration in evaluating the long list of alternative solutions. The evaluation of alternative solutions, and recommendations for implementation will be presented for further input at a second PIC, tentatively planned for Fall 2023.

Join the public mailing list, contact a member of the project team, and attend the upcoming PIC in June. Residents are also encouraged to apply to participate in the Carlisle Water Storage Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Community Liaison Committee (CLC).  The CLC will provide feedback from a local perspective on key points throughout the study. CLC meetings will be held throughout the study at key milestones to seek input and feedback from members of the community. 

If you are a resident, own property or a business, or are part of an interest group or non-governmental organization within the Carlisle Rural Settlement Area, and are interested in participating on the CLC, please complete the CLC application form and submit it to the Project Team at carlislewaterstorageEA@hamilton.ca.

The Class EA study is anticipated to be completed by Winter 2024, following completion of the 30-Day Public Review of the Project File Report, assuming technical agency requirements are addressed.

Design of the study recommendations will be advanced following the study throughout 2024 / 2025, with construction anticipated to commence in 2026 (subject to City's Capital Program (budget) and Council approval).

All comments will be considered in accordance with the Municipal Class EA process. Anyone with concerns related to any aspect of the study may express such concerns in writing to the Project Manager at the City of Hamilton.

Carlisle does not meet the water storage requirements as set out by the Province of Ontario. Since 2002, when the drinking water system was first unable to meet peak demands, the community has often exceeded water storage requirements for drinking water systems, leading to bans and restrictions such as alternative watering days.

The current population being serviced by municipal supply within the Carlisle RSA is 1,930 people. The total future population to be serviced is projected to be 2,978 people. This includes 48 new residents associated with the development of 14 single-family homes on currently undeveloped parcels, as well as the gradual transfer of the remaining 284 land parcels who have their own water supply to the municipal supply.

The number of developable lots within the Carlisle RSA has recently been reviewed with City Planning and it is estimated that there are 14 lots available for development.

Currently, there are 284 residential dwellings consisting of approximately 1,000 residents within Carlisle that have their own water supply and are not connected to the water distribution system. Houses that have the infrastructure constructed in front of their property will be given the opportunity to connect and therefore must be considered in determining the long-term future demand projections.  

Proposed infrastructure will be planned for the long-term full build-out of Carlisle and therefore must include all potential well conversions and developable lots.

No, residents will not be forced to connect to the municipal system. However, as the City of Hamilton By-law (R84-026) provides residents in close proximity to the water infrastructure with the ability to connect to the municipal water system, new connections must be considered in determining the long-term future demand projections.

Items that were considered when selecting/reviewing the alternative locations include: 

• The size and elevation of the property
• Whether the property is owned by the City of Hamilton or privately owned
• Whether there is access to the property (or potential to provide access exists) 
• Feasibility to connect to the existing water distribution system
• Potential environmental hazards and impacts
• Impacts to nearby properties
• Aesthetic impacts

An above ground water storage facility (i.e., standpipe or elevated tank) is located above grade and supplies water by gravity. Underground storage facilities are located below grade and supply water using pumps.

• An elevated tank (what Carlisle has today) is a storage facility supported by a tower at an elevation to provide storage and pressure for a water pressure plane (MECP, 2008). An elevated tank is located above grade and supplies water by gravity. 
• A standpipe is tall cylindrical tank, usually small in diameter compared to height, for holding water (MECP, 2008).
• An in-ground storage tank is a compartment used to accumulate water from a water treatment unit below grade (MECP, 2008). In-ground storage tanks require pumps to distribute water. The pumps are typically located in a building located on top of the underground storage facility.

Yes. The Fire Underwriters Survey (FUS) provides data on public fire protection for fire insurance statistical work and underwriting purposes of subscribing insurance companies. The FUS conducts detailed field surveys of the fire risks and fire defenses maintained in built up communities across Canada and the results of these surveys are used to establish a Public Fire Protection Classification (PFPC) for each community. At least 30% of the PFPC is based on the reliability of the water supply system, including storage volume and capacity to deliver fire flows during Maximum Day demands. The PFPC is utilized by insurers in determining property insurance rates for residential properties. Further information can also be provided to residents by their insurance providers.

Avoiding/minimizing the impact on wildlife and wildlife habitat will be reviewed during the next phase of the project. This may include selecting a site which reduces the impacts to the natural environment, and developing mitigation techniques and process to be followed when work should be completed.

Significant impacts to the groundwater quality and quantity are not expected. As part of the study, a geotechnical / hydrogeological investigation will be completed to assess and identify the hydrogeological / ground water conditions, vulnerable aquifers, wells in the study area, and appropriate mitigation measures for potential impacts if there are any.

The potential affects of climate change e.g., the affect of hotter weather and drought events on water consumption was considered in determining existing and future water demands within the Carlisle RSA.

The need for improvements to the water supply capacity were based on the existing population, development of currently undeveloped parcels (14 additional single-family homes), and the gradual transfer of the remainder of existing private well supply users to the municipal system. Increased water storage will not have an impact on the number of people in Carlisle.

In accordance with the Environmental Assessment Act, impacts to cultural heritage features are to be avoided and/or mitigated to the extent possible. A Cultural Heritage Investigation will be undertaken as part of the study to confirm the presence of significant cultural heritage resources.

In accordance with the EA Act, impacts to archaeological resources are to be avoided and/or mitigated to the extent possible. A Stage 1 Archaeological Assessment will be undertaken as part of the study to confirm the presence of significant archaeological resources.

The cost to construct a new water storage facility will depend on the location and type of storage facility, which will be determined through the study. In general, a booster pumping station & in-ground storage tank would be the most expensive option (approx. $6-8 million), followed by an Elevated Tank ($4-6 million), and finally a standpipe ($2-4 million). 

Additional factors that will impact cost include: 

• whether the property owned by the City of Hamilton - work required to connect to the existing water distribution system 
• geotechnical conditions of the site 

The cost to implement each facility at the various site locations will be further refined through the screening and evaluation process.

This project will have no direct impacts on water rates. The cost of supplying adequate drinking water infrastructure is factored into water rates which are set by the City every year.

The City’s present water rate structure charges all water users in Hamilton the same rate regardless of geographic location and consumption.