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Why is the Town Undertaking the Study? The Town has received a number of calls from residents in the Highway 48 / Aurora Road area in Ballantrae expressing concerns about wet basements and/or frequent operation of their sump pumps. The residents want to know the reason for this increased pumping, particularly since many of them have not had this problem in the past. The Ministry of Transportation has been pumping their storm water management pond located on the south-west corner of Highway 48 and Aurora Road on a regular basis over the past six months to prevent flooding of adjacent properties. What impact does this pond have on the adjacent homes? In response to these concerns, Council initiated a hydrogeological assessment to examine potential causes of the high water table conditions in the Ballantrae area. What is the study about? A hydrogeological assessment looks at the geology and the ground water conditions in a specific area. For this investigation, the Town hired AECOM Canada Ltd., who is the Town’s environmental consultant, to assess the situation utilizing a number of geological reports and studies that had been done for this area over the past twenty years. The study will review meteorological data and compare recent climate data to long-term (30 year) normals. The study will review topographic maps to compare water table levels to surface levels and look at specific details of the properties where complaints have been received. Public Information Meeting Number 1 – Groundwater Investigation The Town convened a public information meeting at the Ballantrae Community Centre on November 25th at which the Town’s hydrogeological consultants, AECOM Canada Ltd., presented their findings to date on the groundwater investigation, and received comments and information from residents on the matter. A copy of their presentation can be accessed through the link below. Residents in attendance at the meeting raised several issues that Town Staff agreed to investigate further and report back at a second information meeting:
Resident Survey In order to better define the critical areas, Staff have included a questionnaire requesting residents who have experienced excessive sump pump discharge to let us know. The survey can be accessed by clicking on the link below. The survey will be active until April 28, 2010. If you do not have Internet Service, call the Engineering and Capital Projects Department, 905-640-1910, ext. 332, and we can provide assistance. April 23, 2010 Update Current Initiatives The Town received 28 surveys, and staff are currently analyzing the results. The next public information meeting will be scheduled when the Town has analyzed the results of the survey and additional monitoring has been completed. For more information on the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Ballantrae High Water Table Investigation, please contact Tom Parry, Director of Engineering and Capital Projects at AECOM Canada Ltd. Presentation – Ballantrae High Groundwater Investigation |
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