Upgrades at the Keswick Sewage Pumping Station

The Regional Municipality of York is working in the community upgrading the Keswick Sewage Pumping Station. As part of the upgrades, two new sanitary forcemains are being built, connecting the Keswick Sewage Pumping Station to the Keswick Water Resource Recovery Facility. The forcemains will be installed using a trenchless technology referred to as microtunnelling.

When: The upgrade work at the Keswick Sewage Pumping Station has begun and is expected to take approximately two years to complete. Construction of the two forcemains, in the microtunnelling work area on Springwater Drive, will begin in February, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

What is a forcemain?
A forcemain is a pressurized pipe that is used to move wastewater. A forcemain is used to move wastewater when a gravity sewer is not an option.

What is microtunnelling?
Microtunnelling is a construction method where a boring machine will tunnel underground and install the forcemain pipes approximately six to eight meters below the surface. Microtunnelling construction minimizes impacts to the natural environment and local traffic.

What can you expect with the construction of the forcemains?
York Region is building two sanitary forcemains, approximately 650 meters in length, connecting the Keswick Sewage Pumping Station to the Keswick Water Resource Recovery Facility. The microtunnelling route is from the Keswick Sewage Pumping Station, along Springwater Drive, and then up to the Keswick Water Resource Recovery Facility. Every effort to minimize disruptions to the public and natural environment will be made.

What Can You Expect?

• Construction of the two sanitary forcemains will happen in the compound shown as the microtunnelling work area on the project map; the compound will be surrounded by fencing

• There will be construction-related noise due to the operation of equipment. To reduce noise, sound barriers will be installed around the compound site, and noise dampening measures will be completed

• As needed, traffic monitoring personnel will be on-site to help with the movement of traffic and reduce any delays. There will be no overnight truck traffic

• A portion of the sidewalk on Richmond Park Drive will be closed. A temporary walkway/path will be installed

• Access to all homes and buildings will be maintained. Any work temporarily impacting driveways will be coordinated with the individual property owners, before the work begins

• Where portable lighting is used, it will be lowered and redirected in a way that limits upcasting into residences around the work area

Thank you for your patience while we complete this vital work. As with all construction projects, some work may be re-scheduled due to weather or other conditions. Visit york.ca/waterconstruction for more information about water and wastewater construction projects.

Safety is the Region’s top priority. As we monitor the ongoing COVID-19 situation in York Region, we continue to deliver essential services while staying current with all health and safety-related information and complying with guidelines related to COVID-19 published by the Ontario Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development and York Region Public Health.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Project Inquiries:
Susan Hansler
Senior Project Manager
Environmental Services
York Region
1-877-464-9675 ext. 75075
@email