3,000 metres of cast-iron water pipes getting yanked in Pelham

Nearly 3,000 metres of cast-iron watermain piping will be replaced with modern PVC piping in Pelham over the next three and a half years.

The three-phase $4 million project, slated to begin this summer and end in December 2025, is going to see some roadwork and grass torn up but some of the original watermain piping was actually installed back in 1935, meaning its 90 year shelf life was coming to an end.

That said, Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin suggested that while necessary, he didn’t expect the replacing of the old pipework system to be all that intrusive.

“Although most of the work for this project will be underground and not overly visible, it is a valuable infrastructure investment for Pelham and will continue to allow for reliable access to municipal water services for years to come,” said Junkin.

Because they’re connected to the water system, some 19 fire hydrants will also have to be be yanked and replaced.

The watermains included within the northwest Fonthill community project are Canboro Road, Daleview Crescent, Moote Lane, Highland Avenue, Park Lane, Pinecrest Court, Spencer Lane and Strathcona Drive.

The Canboro Road watermain is actually the oldest watermain system with the town estimated its initial installation was around 1935 and it’s also the second most critical municipal watermain in Pelham.

The town says the system replacement with PVC watermain “improves the long-term viability and will it help ensure that residents continue to have access to clean drinking water, while enhancing the reliability and capacity of the local water infrastructure systems.”

The investment is being made through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, a cost-shared, application-based infrastructure funding opportunity.

The total project cost is $4,035,062.50 of which the Federal portion is 40 per cent for $1,614,025, the Provincial portion is 33.33 per cent for $1,344,886.33 and the Town of Pelham contribution is 26.67 per cent for $1,076,151.17.

From left: Pelham Mayor Marvin Junkin, Pelham Director of Public Works Jason Marr and Niagara West MPP Sam Oosterhoff at the intersection of Canboro Road and Church Hill in Fonthill. (Photo: Town of Pelham)