Ministry clears path to begin planning pipeline to Tottenham

New Tecumseth Free Press Online 

Nearly 18 months after a request was filed, the Ministry of Environment has determined New Tecumseth will not be required to undertake an individual environmental assessment for the proposed extension of the water pipeline to Tottenham.

The project to extend the water pipeline from Maple Avenue in Beeton to Tottenham, was listed as the Town’s top priority in its 2016 water master plan distrubtion study and a funding line was included in the 2017 budget. However, that was delayed when a Tottenham resident asked the Ministry for an EA bump-up, putting the entire project on hold pending a decision.

That came in an April 11, 2018 letter from the Minstry to Doug Austin, New Tecumseth’s Manager of Capital Projects, who noted “there are concerns with respect to the project’s design features of the transmission watermain.”

The notice signed by Minister Chris Ballard, includes a condition obligating the Town to “consult with interested persons, including the requester, during the detailed design phase of the project.”

Phase 1 of the project includes the route study, as well, metering chamber just outside Beeton, SCADA programming to control blending at the Mill Street Reservoir and metering chamber.

Council meets next Monday when it’s expected the Ministry’s letter will be included on the agenda including direction to move forward with the project.