Carlisle Water Storage Municipal Class Environmental Assessment

Approximately 75% of drinking water in Carlisle is serviced primarily through four municipal groundwater production wells, with the remainder being serviced by private wells.

The Carlisle drinking water system has historically experienced high water demands during the summer, exceeding provincial engineering design standards. In the summer of 2002, the drinking water system was unable to meet peak demands. This event resulted in a mandatory total outdoor watering ban at that time. Further bans and restrictions such as alternative watering days have since been imposed and continue to be in place as required.

Based on water conservation programs in 2004 as well as a long-term comprehensive water conservation program between 2015-2019, it is evident that conservation measures alone will not be able to meet Carlisle’s future water needs. The community requires additional capacity to meet provincial guidelines for fire flow/storage, increasing demand with full build-out of the Carlisle Rural Settlement Area, and the gradual transfer of the remainder of existing private well supply users to the municipal drinking water system.

This municipal class environmental assessment will look at various options and alternatives to meet the water storage needs of the community, and examine the potential social, financial, operational, and environmental impacts of the preferred solution.

As part of the project, we want your feedback on infrastructure options that will ensure that Carlisle will have long-term, sustainable water infrastructure.

The City of Hamilton is planning two Public Information Centres for this study.