In conjunction with the Regional Municipality of Niagara, the City of Port Colborne is committed to reducing unnecessary sewage treatment costs, the potential for basement flooding, and combined sewer overflows, by reducing infiltration of storm water to the sanitary sewage collection and treatment system through its Extraneous Flow Reduction Program. It is estimated that the City spends approximately $ 1 Million each year treating storm water in the sanitary system. These costs are directly absorbed through the City's water and sewer rates.
Sewer Use By-Law
City of Port Colborne Council acting on recommendations from Senior City Staff recently passed a Sewer Use By-Law in support of the Extraneous Flow Reduction Program, making participation in the program mandatory for private property owners to allow City Staff, or those appointed by the City, to inspect private sewer services and private property for sources of extraneous flow. The purpose of the private service inspections is to assess the condition of the private sewer lateral on your property and determine if any repairs or modifications are necessary to disconnect any sources of rain water. Should the inspection indicate that repair work is necessary, financial assistance is available through the new Sewer Use By-Law , and is anticipated to be sufficient to cover most, if not all costs.
Extraneous Flow Reduction Program - Phase Three - Nickel Area
The City is now starting the third phase of its Inflow
and Infiltration Reduction Program in the area serviced by the Nickel Street Sewage Pump Station, as illustrated by the map to the right. The I&I Program will involve an inspection of the sanitary sewer connection of each home or business within the study area, and disconnection of sources of I&I, such as sump pumps that discharge to the sanitary sewer. Retrofits work will include disconnecting sump pumps from the sanitary sewer, and re-directing them to grade or to the storm sewer. The inspections and retrofit work will be completed at no cost to property owners. In support of its commitment to reducing inflow and infiltration, the City passed a Sewer Use By-law (No.5228/134/08) mandating the disconnection of sump pumps, foundation drains and other such sources, from the sanitary sewer system. To encourage public participation in the program, the by-law includes provisions for financial assistance to complete the necessary repair or retrofit work. Participation in the I&I Program is mandatory. Residents and property owners in the study area are asked to contact Danielle Anders at Associated Engineering (905-346-0990) to schedule an inspection of their sewer connection. Residents and property owners who require repairs to conform to the Sewer Use By-Law will be contacted by Associated Engineering upon completion of the inspection program. For additional information please contact either of the individuals listed below:
Ms. Danielle Anders, P.Eng.
Inspection Coordinator
Associated Engineering
110A Hannover Drive
St. Catharines, ON L2W 1A4
Tel.: 905-346-0990 ext. 246
Email: andersd@ae.ca
Mr. Jim Huppunen, A.Sc.T.
Manager of Engineering Services
City of Port Colborne
66 Charlotte Street
Port Colborne, ON L3K 3C8
Tel.: 905-835-2900 ext. 221
Email: jimhuppunen@portcolborne.ca
Notice to Property Owners in the Nickel Street Area
Resident Letter
Fact Sheet #1
Fact Sheet #2
Report 2012-3 CSO Management Plan Application for Funding
Extraneous Flow Reduction Program - Omer Pumping Station Study Area Ongoing
The Omer Area, illustrated to the right, has been identified by the City and residents alike as having a history of severe basement flooding issues. The objective of the I&I program is to find and eliminate all sources of rainwater entering the sanitary sewer system, thereby reducing he potential for basement flooding.
As the first step in the I&I program, the City has recently completed a detailed inspection of its sanitary sewers within the Study Area, and has found several sources of infiltration that will be repaired in the near future.
The City now asks all residents and property owners in the Study Area for their participation and cooperation in the I&I Program, as the next step involves any necessary repairs on private property, to prevent rain water from entering the sanitary sewer pipe.
All residents and property owners within the Study Area will be contacted to schedule any necessary repairs resulting from the previous property inspection. Further details and contact information will be provided directly to affected property owners.
All work related to the program will be done at no cost to the property owner.
An additional program was started in the Summer of 2011 which has been focused on determining the condition and capacity of the storm sewer system in the Omer Area.
Report 2011-19 Update on the Omer Pumping Station Area Extraneous Flow Reduction Program
Arena Pumping Station Study Area 
The Arena Area study is now complete. A final report was presented to Counil on November 28, 2011 noting that a successful reduction in extraneous flows was achieved. Cost savings in the Arena Area will amount to approximately $115,000 annually.
We would like to thank all residents in the Arena Area who have participated in this project.
Report 2011-17 Update on the Arena Pumping Station Area Extraneous Flow Reduction Program
