New Pelham Elevated Tank Environmental Assessment

We reviewed locations within the Pelham Service Area and conducted an initial screening to identify an initial list of alternatives sites. This list also included sites that were proposed through feedback from the first Public Information Centre. The screening ruled out areas that would be:

• Too low in elevation
• Too far away from the existing urban area and existing Regional transmission main
• Too small or within existing land uses / restrictions
• Possibly impacted by quarry activities
• Disruptive to schools

Through this process, we found nine preliminary sites. We then further screened to meet the Problem and Opportunity Statement, availability, size, and costs.

Following the second evaluation, three sites were short-listed for the detailed evaluation process and the lowest-impact alternative was selected.

You can find the details of the criteria and evaluation in the Public Information Centre # 2 display boards.

Niagara Region is proposing a new elevated tank with a larger storage volume along with higher elevation to the meet Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks guidelines for storage required for day-to-day activities, fire storage, and emergency storage.

The existing tank was built in the 1980's - making it about 40 years old. The lifespan of an elevated tank depends on different factors, but this type of tank typically has a lifespan of 50 to 80 years. The existing tank is nearing the end of its expected service life.

There are a number of reasons for replacement:

• Storage capacity
• The existing tank doesn't have enough storage capacity to meet the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks Design guidelines for current and future storage requirements.
• As our population grows over the next twenty years, our current water storage volume will become increasingly insufficient.
• Water pressure
• A new elevated tank would be able to provide enough water pressure to areas that currently don't meet Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks standard requirements. This will help with the water pressure for northern Fonthill areas that are at a higher elevation.
• Increased costs
• We've increased pumping from the Shoalts Drive Reservoir to manage the current storage shortfall of the tank. Using additional pumping to compensate has higher operational costs and isn't a sustainable option to meet the community's long-term needs.
• If the tank isn't replaced, water supply operation costs will continue to increase as the existing tank will require more maintenance as it ages. The whole system will rely on pumping, which is not ideal operationally and would result in more energy usage.

We can't expand the tank because it's difficult to enlarge a welded steel elevated tank and there's limited available space at the current location.

The Shoalts Drive Reservoir, which also provides storage to the system, does have space on site for a new reservoir cell. However, a new elevated tank is recommended because it addresses the lack of adequate pressures in some parts of the system. If we added a new reservoir cell, we would still need to upgrade the pumps at Shoalts Drive pumping station. In the long term, this option would cost more than a new elevated tank.

The new tank will have a larger storage volume and higher elevation to the meet Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks guidelines.

The current Pelham elevated tank services the Town of Pelham (Fonthill and Fenwick) and is located behind the Pelham Fire Hall on Highway 20 and south of Kline Crescent.

The Town of Pelham is part of the larger Welland water system. The Welland Water Treatment Plant pumps water to the Shoalts Drive Reservoir. The Shoalts Drive Reservoir supplies water to the existing Pelham Elevated Tank for distribution of potable water to the area.

The current elevated tank is 2.3 million litres and the new elevated tank will be 6 million litres to address current water storage volume shortage and accommodate growth. The new elevated tank will be 44 metres above ground, compared to the existing elevated tank at 29.5m above ground. A taller elevated tank is required to have sufficient pressure for the northern developed areas that are at a higher elevation.

Given that the new elevated tank will be 44 metres above ground level, it will be taller than the existing houses and trees in the surrounding area. The actual top of the tank will be the most visible part and will be painted the same as the Region's other elevated tanks (white with the Niagara Region logo). The bottom of the tank will be concrete and look similar to the existing tank.

The coating technology of the elevated tanks have improved significantly over the years. Most coatings now have UV resistance and are more durable than in the past. Routine maintenance of the tank will also help preserve the appearance.