DEVELOPMENT SERVICES COMMITTEE
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Alan Brown, Director of Engineering
	PREPARED BY:	Simon Hung, Development Engineer
	DATE OF MEETING:	April 20, 2004
	SUBJECT:	York Downs Golf & Country Club Auxiliary Water Supply System for Irrigation

RECOMMENDATION:

That the March 12, 2004 report entitled “York Downs Golf & Country Club, Auxiliary Water Supply System”, be received,

That the taking of water from the York Downs Stormwater Management Pond (SWM pond) for irrigation purpose be authorized subject to conditions satisfactory to the Town.

And that Mayor and Clerk to be authorized to execute the Auxiliary Water Supply for Irrigation Agreement to the satisfaction of the Town Solicitor and Director of Engineering.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this report is:

• To establish a policy and conditions for the taking of water from stormwater management ponds for irrigation purpose.
• To authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute Auxiliary Water Supply for Irrigation Agreement to the satisfaction of Senior Management.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

The York Downs Golf & Country Club has been relying on water from wells and the Bruce Creek for irrigation. In recent years, these sources have not been providing sufficient water to meet their demand in the summer due to low water levels. During the dry season, they were not able to obtain the maximum permissible withdrawal rate established by the Permit to Take Water issued by the Ministry of Environment. The Golf Club is therefore looking for auxiliary water supply to supplement the existing sources for irrigation.

The Golf Club is currently withdrawing water from five on-site wells and the Bruce Creek that runs through the property. Water withdraw from these sources are stored in an irrigation pond to maintain a constant supply. Rain that falls within or adjacent to the irrigation pond adds to the storage.

The reasons that prompted the Golf Club to look for additional water supply is listed below.

• The Permit to Take Water will be due for renewal in March 2006. There is indication that the Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) may not allow to draw the same quantity of water from the creek citing that Bruce Creek has been experiencing low flow situations in the past few years. TRCA may restrict or reduce the water withdrawal from the Bruce Creek to maintain base flow and good fishery environment.

• Some of the existing on-site wells are not providing the expected withdrawal rate. One of the well is not supplying any water while two other wells are performing below capacity. There is a high capital cost involved to install new wells or maintain existing wells.

The Golf Club investigated all the options and the sources are limited. Town will not consider supplying domestic water for irrigation purpose especially when water allocation is an ongoing issue. The nearby SWM pond offers a potential source for irrigation water.

The proposed auxiliary water supply system will convey water by underground piping system from the SWM pond to the irrigation pond during the dry season (refer to Fig. 1 for location of the ponds). A maximum draw down of 0.3 metres below the permanent pool level may occur during the summer months. A valve installed beside the SWM pond will control the flow of water. Some of the water used for irrigation will recharge the groundwater or runoff into the creek as originally intended. The proposal has been reviewed by staff and also peer reviewed by a water resource and environmental engineer. It is concluded that the proposed work will not impede the intended function of the SWM pond. TRCA has no objection to this proposal (refer to attached letters from TRCA for their comments). It is recommended that the taking of water from the SWM pond be approved. An agreement will be required with conditions to address financial, responsibility, liability, maintenance and other issues.

BACKGROUND:

The York Downs Golf and Country Club, located between Warden Avenue and Kennedy Road on the north side of 16^th Avenue, is finding ways to provide additional water sources for irrigation. The Golf Club is currently relying on two main sources to provide irrigation water. An existing irrigation pond, with 6,200 cubic metres capacity, stores water withdrew from five wells and the Bruce Creek. The Golf Club has a permit from the Ministry of Environment to take water from the creek and the wells until March 2006. The permit establishes maximum permissible withdrawal from the above sources (refer to Fig. 2 for withdrawal limits). The Golf Club has been experiencing problems in recent year to meet the irrigation demand during the dry season and these problems are expected to continue or become worse in the coming years.

• Some of the existing on-site wells are not providing the expected withdrawal rate. One of the well is not supplying any water while two other wells are performing below capacity. There are high capital costs involved to install new wells or maintain existing wells.

• The Permit to Take Water will be due for renewal in March 2006. There is indication that the Toronto and Region Conservation (TRCA) may not allow the same withdrawal rate from the creek citing that Bruce Creek has been experiencing low flow situations in past summers. TRCA may restrict or reduce the water withdrawal from the Bruce Creek to maintain base flow for good fishery environment.

• Even the new Permit to Take Water may allow the same withdrawal rate, both the creek and the wells have experienced low water levels in past years and the permitted withdrawal rates have not been realized.

• Town will not provide domestic water for irrigation.

After reviewed all their options, the nearby existing York Downs stormwater management pond “H” appears to be a viable alternative to augment their water supply for irrigation. An application has been filed by the York Downs Golf & Country Club to take water from the existing SWM pond.

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

A report titled ”Operations Design Brief for Auxiliary Water Supply, York Downs Golf & Country Club” prepared by Stantec Consulting Ltd. was submitted to support the application. The report was peer reviewed by a water resource and environmental engineer and the proposal is considered acceptable. The Toronto and Region Conservation has reviewed the application and has no major concern with the proposal. Staff generally supports the use of stormwater for irrigation purpose, however, there are maintenance and liability issues that the Town shall consider.

A proposed underground piping system approximately 670 metres long will be installed to convey water from the existing SWM pond to the irrigation pond in the Golf Club. When water is required, a valve near the SWM pond may be opened to allow water to flow to the irrigation pond by gravity. The outlet pipe in the SWM pond will be installed at an elevation such that the maximum draw down is 0.3 metres below the permanent water level during the dry season. The valve shall be closed once the irrigation pond is filled. Inspections will be required to ensure that water is taken only when needed.

The SWM pond was constructed to provide stormwater management for the Humbold Properties and H&R Developments in the Berczy Community. The SWM pond has not been assumed by the Town due to outstanding deficiencies in the subdivisions. Approval will be required from the developers who still own the SWM pond prior to commencement of the proposed works. We received approval from the Berczy Village Landowners Group on April 1, 2004. This paragraph shall be modified.

An agreement shall be set up between the Town and the Golf Club to allow water to be taken for irrigation purpose.

Agreement

The agreement shall include conditions to cover maintenance, liability, environmental, financial and other related issues as listed below.

• That approvals from the existing owners of the pond, Humbold Properties and H&R Developments, are required
• That approval from Toronto and Region Conservation is required
• That water draw from the SWM pond shall only be used for irrigation purpose, other uses are not permitted
• That the Golf Club shall not take more water than necessary to fill their irrigation pond
• That the agreement shall be renewed every 5 years to monitor if the lower water level in the pond creates any undesirable impacts
• That a fee shall be charged for each agreement. The fee shall be determined based on additional inspections required, value of water that may be diverted and any maintenance costs
• That the Town has ownership and full control of the valve. The Golf Club will be permitted to operate the valve when water is required for irrigation purpose. The Town may keep the valve closed if lower water level is creating problems in the SWM pond or as directed by the Toronto and Region Conservation
• That the Golf Club is responsible to monitor and test the quality of water from the SWM pond to ensure it is suitable for irrigation. The Town shall be indemnified from any action, claim or damage as a result of using of the SWM pond water for irrigation or other uses
• That the Owner shall not dispose of or transfer the whole or any part of the lands on which the water supply system is situated without the written consent of the Town
• That the Owner is responsible for the maintenance, repair and operation of the entire water supply system
• That the Town may terminate the agreement if the Golf Club fail to meet the terms of this agreement
• That the agreement will be registered on title
• That the Owner agrees to remove the pipe from the SWM pond up to and including the first manhole including the valve upon termination of the agreement. The area being disturbed shall be restore to the original condition
• That if the Golf Club fails to fulfil their obligation to complete any remedial works or conditions that may be required during or after the agreement, the Town may charge the costs to complete the work on their property tax

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The Owner is responsible for all the costs for processing the application.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

It is not expected that there would be environmental implications.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The Operations Department have been consulted and concurred with the recommendations.

The Operations Department will provide input into a standard water supply for irrigation agreement.

ATTACHMENTS:

Fig. 1 Location of existing SWM pond and irrigation pond

Fig. 2 Maximum permissible water withdrawal

Letters from the Toronto and Region Conservation

Alan Brown, C.E.T. Director of Engineering

Jim Baird, M.C.I.P., R.P.P. Commissioner of Development Services

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