Watershed servicing study highlights - Musquodoboit Harbour, NS

1. Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies
Information Meeting - Agenda
• Introduction (Bob Bjerke, Chief Planner)
• Welcome (Coun. David Hendsbee)
• Watershed study overview (Marcus Garnet, Senior
Planner)
• Questions (Bob Bjerke and Marcus Garnet)
• Closing Remarks (Bob Bjerke and Coun. Hendsbee)
Musquodoboit Harbour Arena
Multipurpose Room
7:00 pm
June 19, 2014

2. Musquodoboit
Harbour
Watershed
Studies
Information Meeting
19 June 2014
June 19, 2014

3. HRM Watershed Studies
COMPLETED/IMMINENT:
• Hubbards
• Lake Echo
• Musquodoboit Harbour
• Porters Lake
• Shubenacadie Lakes
• Tantallon
FUTURE:
• Birch Cove Lakes
• East Preston-Sandy Lake
• Musquodoboit Valley
• Prospect
June 19, 2014 Musquodoboit Harbour Watershed Studies

4. Study
Area

5. Origin
• 2006 RMPS Policy E-17 requires
watershed studies prior to secondary
planning, to determine the carrying
capacity and meet water quality
objectives
• Community Vision Action Plan Goal I-1 is
to explore options for water and sewer in
the village core
June 19, 2014
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies

6. Specialist Engagement
• CBCL engineering, technical and planning expertise
• Halifax Water costing and policy input
• HRM planning and financial analysis
• Halifax Regional Watersheds Advisory Board review and
recommendations to Community Council
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies
June 19, 2014

7. CBCL References - Groundwater
• Ham, 1999. Geological Map of the Musquodoboit Batholith, OFM ME
1999-2. NSDONR.
• McIntosh, 1984. Groundwater Hydrographs in Nova Scotia 1965-81.
NSDOE.
• NSDEL, 2005. Water Well Records Database.
• NSDEL, 2005. Pumping Test Database.
• Pinder, 1968a. Hydrogeology of the Lower Musquodoboit River
Valley, Nova Scotia, Report 68-2. NSDOM.
• Pinder, 1968b. Application of the Digital Computer for Aquifer
Evaluation, Water Resources Research, 4: 1069-1093.
• Also geological maps

8. CBCL References - Receiving Waters
• Loucks & Sadler, 1971. “Exchange processes between Petpeswick
Inlet and continental shelf waters: a preliminary report.” AOL
(Canada)
• Loucks, 1993. “A snapshot view of Petpeswick Inlet water Quality”
• Young, Walter & Gaudet, 2001. “Re-evaluation Report – Nova Scotia
Shellfish Growing Sectors 12-010 to 14-040, Musquodoboit –
Lockeport.” Manuscript Report No. EP-AR-2001-4. EC, EPB
• Also general references

9. Community Engagement
 One of several initiatives linked to Community Vision
 MHRRA Infrastructure Subcommittee
 MHRRA engineer representation on Steering Committee
 Meeting with interested landowners/developers
 MHRRA Infrastructure Subcommittee analysis assisted by
HRM Finance
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies
June 19, 2014

10. Milestones
 Watershed Study Final Report (2007)
 Follow-Up Study Final Report (2010)
 RWAB (March 12, 2014)
 Community Council (June 12, 2014)
 Information Meeting (June 19, 2014)
June 19, 2014

11. Why the second study?
• Reduce service area
• Optimize the general concepts and costs
presented in the 2007 study
• Integrate local knowledge and expertise
• Recommend potential servicing schemes
… all to allow development consistent with
the Community Vision
June 19, 2014
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies

12. Two Watershed Studies
FIRST STUDY:
- Small-diameter sewer
with septic tanks
- All existing low-
density plus higher-
density infill
- Wide area (176 ha)
- Medium growth
June 19, 2014
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies
FOLLOW-UP STUDY:
- Standard sewer, no septic
tanks
- Some existing low-density
but mostly higher-density infill
- Focused area (12.5, 70 or
126 ha)
- Low, Median & High growth

14. Follow-Up Study Service Area

15. Component Studies included…
• Groundwater
• Receiving waters
• Surface water & eutrophication
• Watershed feature conservation
• Sources of contamination
• HRM Stormwater Guidelines adaptation
• Natural corridors & habitats
• Riparian buffers
• Development potential
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies
2014-06-19

21. Three serviceable parcels

26. Technical Options
Servicing:
• Water only
• Sewer only
• Sewer and water
Sewage Treatment Plant:
• Secondary with trunk corridor extension
• Tertiary with no corridor extension
June 19, 2014
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies

28. Piped Water Only – Potential Service Area

29. 2013 Estimated Minimum Capital Costs+
Growth Scenario >>>
Servicing Options vvv
2006 2026
Low
2026
Low-Med
2026
Med
2026
High
Central Pipe Hookups: 0 sewer
0 water
320 sewer
449 water
0 sewer
758 water
1316 sewer
1444 water
2397 sewer
2418 water
Central Water Only n/a $8.9 million $10.7 million 11.2 million 12.7 million
Cost/service n/a $19,743 $14,143 $7,727** 5,270**
Central Sewer Only n/a $23.4 million n/a* $28 million $32.4 million
Cost/service n/a $69,770 n/a* $20,991 $13,510
Central Water & Sewer n/a $32.5 million n/a* $39.2 million $45.1 million
Cost/service n/a $89,513 n/a* $28,718 $18,781
+ Also add approx. 10% for engineering fees, 4.3% net HST, and 2.35% for interest and overhead. Does not include any land acquisition costs.
* Low-Medium Growth Scenario assumes cluster subdivision with disposal fields; 2 units/ acre net density
** Water-Only would not enable enough density to meet the Medium or High Growth Scenarios.

30. Operating Costs
• in addition to the capital and financing costs
• paid by each landowner via regular billing
• billing amount would be independent of metro area
• estimated average: $520 per hookup
• assumes 720 water hook-ups
• plus a Wastewater Management District fee
June 19, 2014
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies

31. Challenges
• Very high costs to homeowners
• Would there be enough new development
to ensure that HRM recovers all up-front
capital costs?
• No external funding opportunities
June 19, 2014
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies

32. Findings for Watershed
• Up-river agriculture affects affects harbour &
watercourse
• Local septic run-off affects lower rivers, harbour & inlet
• Peninsula interiors have a groundwater recharge
function
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies
June 19, 2014

33. Implications for Growth
• Approx. 150-600 acres (60-250 ha) of developable land
within 15-10 minute walk of centre
• On-site well & septic could enable 1.6 people/acre
(4pph)
• At 2.4 people per household, this would average 0.7
units/acre
• Could still accommodate over 250 more units (500 more
people) within a walkable distance
• These are average gross densities
• Cluster subdivision could enable more compact
densities in specific locations closest to the village core
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies
June 19, 2014

34. RWAB/HEMDCC Resolution
• Accept CBCL reports as background for future
community planning
• Recommend that the Environment & Sustainability
Standing Committee request a staff report to consider:
– a wastewater management district
– a floodplain mapping study
– routine testing of discharges from plants & stormwater systems
– developing a plan for regular septic maintenance
– water quality monitoring of rivers
– recommending that the Province upgrade their water systems
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies
June 19, 2014

35. Next Steps
• Community Council conveys its
recommendation (originating from the
RWAB) to the Environment & Sustainability
Standing Committee
• Environment & Sustainability Standing
Committee requests a staff report to
consider the items raised by RWAB
• Staff prepares the report to the Standing
Committee
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies
June 19, 2014

36. RP+5 Public Hearing
Tuesday, June 24, 2014, at 6:00 p.m. in the Halifax Regional
Council Chambers at City Hall, 1841 Argyle Street, Halifax
Written submissions may be forwarded to the Municipal Clerk:
• By mail: P.O. Box 1749, Halifax, NS, B3J 3A5
• By fax: 490-4208
• By e-mail: clerks@halifax.ca.
Written submissions must be received by the Municipal Clerk’s
office no later than 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2014.
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies
June 19, 2014

37. For more RP+5 information…
• On-line at http://www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/cagenda.php and
by choosing the appropriate meeting dates (May 20, 2014 and June
24, 2014)
• Paper copies can be inspected in person at:
– Office of the Municipal Clerk, 1st Floor City Hall, 1841 Argyle
St., Halifax
– Bayers Road Customer Service Centre, 2nd Floor (Suite 2005),
7071 Bayers Rd., Halifax
– Planning Office of HRM Planning & Infrastructure, 3rd Floor,
Dartmouth Ferry Terminal Building, 88 Alderney Drive,
Dartmouth
• Arrangements can also be made to obtain electronic or paper
copies by contacting the Clerk’s Office (490-4210) or Planning
Services (490-4937)
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies
June 19, 2014

38. Thank you!
Questions?
June 19, 2014
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies

39. APPENDIX
Financial and Technical Notes

42. Objectives of First Study
• Identify opportunities for development in
the community and on the peninsula
between Musquodoboit Harbour and
Petpeswick Inlet
• Develop a plan showing all land suitable
for development, with recommended
densities and services
June 19, 2014
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies

43. Follow-Up Study Objectives
• Increase assimilative capacity by addressing faulty
sewage systems
• Optimize configuration for small sewage system
• Feasibility and cost of central water only
• Water supply potential of Musquodoboit & Little Rivers
• Possible contaminant impacts on potential wells next to
Musquodoboit River
• Achievable 5-10 year population growth, density and
distribution with on-site, piped water or combined piped
services
• Analyze existing water quality data in Little River
June 19, 2014
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies

44. Likely Development
Likely
Development
Low Growth Medium
Growth
10-year horizon 300 units 165 units 660 units
20-year horizon unknown 330 units 1320 units

45. Open Space
Subdivision
Conventional
Subdivision

46. Cost Recovery Mechanisms
Existing Future
Plants CCC CCC
Trunk Pipes LIC LIC
Local Pipes n/a Construction

47. Risks
• Septic systems on existing lots might be
unable to cope with piped water
• Bromates or radionucleides might
increase treatment costs
June 19, 2014
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies

48. Why the delay?
• test case for piped servicing for a Rural
Growth Centre
• important input to RP+5
• follow-up study
• community representation in follow-up study
• inter-agency discussions (Halifax Water)
• Internal HRM discussions (risk)
• community representatives requested a
delay to explore further options and costs
June 19, 2014
Musquodoboit Harbour
Watershed Studies