By Claude & Parth on 2026-03-27, City: Grimsby, View Transcript
The Public Works Committee addressed critical water infrastructure challenges, including water loss rates 60% higher than targets and aging cast iron water mains requiring replacement over the next decade. The committee also received updates on major construction projects, including the Downtown Reimagined project set to begin in June and the Casablanca Boulevard reconstruction coordinated with the new GO station development.
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE CRISIS: The city is experiencing significant water loss due to aging infrastructure, particularly cast iron water mains. Approximately 10 kilometers of cast iron water mains remain to be replaced over the next 10 years. A committee member noted the water loss is "significantly greater than what our target is" - approximately 60% higher than the target over the past three years, calling it "an unusual amount for comparable municipalities and systems." Staff member Brandon stated that "over the next 10 years, the intent is to replace all of it." The city has moved to a whole system approach for leak detection using hydrant-based surveys, which identified numerous previously unknown service and chamber leaks.
DOWNTOWN REIMAGINED CONSTRUCTION: Phase One construction is imminent with design drawings essentially complete. The tender is expected March 30th, with a 4-6 week award process and construction starting in June 2025, targeting completion by Fall 2025. The town is collaborating with the Business Association and Chamber on communications and marketing strategy to support downtown businesses during construction. Phase 2 design work is expected to be completed later this year.
GO STATION AND CASABLANCA BOULEVARD COORDINATION: The province is eager to proceed quickly with construction activity potentially beginning as early as summer 2024. The town has retained engineering consultant WSP to design storm sewer and water main services for Casablanca Boulevard that need to go under the railway. A councilor raised concerns about pedestrian connectivity, noting current crossing conditions where "you have to make eye contact with those drivers coming off the highway because they're not looking for pedestrians." The region is planning improvements to the existing highway overpass with multi-use pathway and sidewalk, removal of dedicated off-ramp lanes, and signalized intersections for safer pedestrian crossings.
WATER QUALITY AND BILLING ACCOUNTABILITY: The city received 11 water quality complaints in 2025, exceeding the target of fewer than 10 complaints per year. The committee agreed to modify the operational performance indicator to use a 5-year rolling average for future benchmarking. A council member raised concerns about a previous incident where the city was billed over $100,000 for water loss that occurred in the Region's system, questioning "How do we know that any water loss that's occurring is not occurring in their part of the system and that we're not being billed for it." Staff acknowledged "it's difficult to determine" where water loss occurs between regional and municipal systems.
SCHOOL ZONE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS: Council approved installation of school zone signs and speed limit reduction around Crim Center School. The speed limit will be reduced from 50 km/h to 40 km/h on Kit Avenue and Bolton Avenue, with school zone signs placed within 150 meters of the school's principal entrance. School area signs without speed reduction will be installed on St. Andrews Avenue, maintaining the existing 50 km/h limit. Installation is expected within the next month, pending utility locates.