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16th Avenue Main No. 3
25th Avenue Water Main
Angus Drive Main
Boundary Main #5
Coquitlam UV Disinfection Project
Central Park Water Utility Upgrades
Douglas Road Main No. 2
Douglas Road Main No. 2 – Phases 2, 3, and 4
Douglas Road Main No. 2 – Phase 5 Canada Way
Douglas Road Main No. 2 – Phase 6 Delta Avenue
Douglas Road Main No. 2 – Phase 7 Still Creek
Port Mann Water Supply Tunnel
Seymour-Capilano Water Utility Projects
The Ridge Water Utility Projects

For more information about this project:

  • Call: the Community Liaison Officer at 
    604-451-6654 
  • Fax: 604-432-6297
  • After-Hours Emergencies: 604-451-6610
  • Write: Metro Vancouver Public Involvement Division
    4330 Kingsway Burnaby, B.C. V5H 4G8
  • E-mail: icentre@
    metrovancouver.org
Seymour-Capilano Water Utility Projects 
The Seymour and Capilano watersheds supply up to 70% of the Lower Mainland ’s drinking water. Construction of new water supply and treatment facilities for these water sources is underway in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve (LSCR) and at Capilano River Regional Park.
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Capilano Main No. 9

Metro Vancouver is in the process of designing the new Capilano Main No. 9. This two kilometre 2100mm diameter water main will run from Capilano River Regional Park, along Capilano Road, to Edgemont Boulevard in the District of North Vancouver where it will connect with the existing water distribution system. The purpose of this project is to replace the existing aging water main.

Upcoming ground investigation work in your area
To prepare for the design and construction of this project, Metro Vancouver will be conducting some ground investigation work in your area over the coming weeks. Specific activities will include:

  1. Utility digs, which will involve the use of a vacuum truck to dig small holes, up to one metre in diameter and three metres in depth, in order to locate existing underground utilities such as sewer, water and gas lines. 
  2. Geotechnical field work to determine soil conditions. Crews will use a drill mounted on a large truck, known as a ‘drill rig,’ to drill small test-holes in the ground and collect soil samples for analysis.

Restoration
Following completion of each investigation, any holes that have been dug will be filled and patched, surfaces will be cleaned and the areas impacted by this work will be temporarily restored, with crews returning in spring 2013 to complete restoration.

Schedule and location
Investigation work is anticipated to begin the week of January 14, 2013. This work will take place on Capilano Road between Capilano River Regional Park and Edgemont Boulevard, with a number of test digs occurring within the park public parking lot as well. Ground investigations are expected to be complete by end of February 2013.

Noise
Some noise will be produced by drilling or digging activities and by the use of vacuum trucks. Crews will try to minimize any impacts to the local community whenever possible and will comply with District of North Vancouver noise bylaws or bylaw variances.

Traffic and parking
During the hours of work, there will be temporary no parking in areas where work is taking place along Capilano Road between Capilano River Regional Park and Edgemont Boulevard. The work within the Capilano River Regional Park lot should not affect the availability of public parking.

Some minor intersections may be partially blocked for portions of this work but an alternating one-lane traffic pattern will be maintained at these intersections. Please follow the direction of on-site signage and flag personnel.

Other work in the area
The District of North Vancouver is currently conducting topographical survey work along Capilano Road between the Trans Canada Highway and Fintry Place for proposed municipal water main construction. This new municipal water main is in the design stage and has an anticipated start date of spring 2013. For additional information regarding this project, contact the District of North Vancouver at 604-990-2450. As the project progresses, the District will provide information on their website and directly to residents affected by this construction.

Hours of work
This ground investigation work will generally occur between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.

There may be occasions when crews will work later, or on a Saturday, to maintain the schedule.

Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant Filtration Plant (Complete)
The Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant, the largest of its kind in Canada, will treat 1.8 billion litres of water per day from both sources.
 
Located in the LSCR, the filtration plant will improve Metro Vancouver’s drinking water by removing turbidity and micro-organisms, and reducing the amount of chlorine required to maintain water quality.
 
Seymour source water is currently being treated at the plant and conveyed by regional water mains to member municipalities for distribution. Following completion of the Seymour-Capilano Twin Tunnels (see below for details), Capilano source water will also be treated at the filtration plant and conveyed by regional water mains to member
municipalities.
 
Seymour-Capilano Twin Tunnels (Commissioning in 2014)
In order to treat the Capilano source, untreated water from the Capilano Reservoir will be conveyed through a large tunnel to the filtration plant.  Once filtered, the treated water will be returned to the Capilano water distribution system using a second twin tunnel.
 

Seymour-Capilano Twin Tunnels

Each of the twin tunnels are 3.8 metres in diameter, 7.1 kilometres long and 160 to 640 metres below ground level.  These massive tunnels, including the shafts, took six years to excavate, one year to install the permanent support, and will take an additional two years to line.

 

Twin tunnel lining

Metro Vancouver’s contractor is starting lining operations in the LSCR utilizing a specially constructed lifting system. This system is designed to lift sections of the steel liner – each weighing approximately 30 tonnes – position them accordingly and lower them 186 metres into the Seymour tunnel shaft to a waiting pipe carrier. The carrier then transports the liner to its specified location for installation.

 

Activities similar to this will also be occurring in Capilano River Regional Park during the late summer months. Further information will be provided as details become available.

 

Commissioning of the Seymour-Capilano Twin Tunnels is anticipated for early 2014.

Capilano Filtration Projects

Capilano Pump Station and electrical substation (Commissioning in 2013)
Following the commissioning of the twin tunnels, Capilano source water will be pumped through the untreated water tunnel to the filtration plant using a 16,000 horsepower pump station, located in Capilano River Regional Park. This pump station is powered by an electrical substation, located west of Cleveland Dam.

Energy Recovery Facility and Break Head Tank (Commissioning in 2013)
As the filtration plant is higher in elevation than the Capilano water distribution system, excess pressure will be generated when the treated water is returned through the second tunnel. Using the new energy recovery facility and its turbine technology, which will be installed in 2013, Metro Vancouver will harness energy from the excess pressure. This energy will be used to partially offset the power requirements of the new Capilano Pump Station.

Capilano Main No. 5 Valve Chamber (Commissioning in 2012)
Metro Vancouver is constructing a new valve chamber in Capilano River Regional Park north of the Capilano Salmon Hatchery. The valves in the chamber will allow crews to isolate sections of a large regional water main so maintenance work can be conducted without interrupting the water distribution system. Construction is anticipated to be complete in winter 2012.

Cleveland Dam Elevator Project (Commissioning in 2012)

In service since 1954, the current Cleveland Dam elevator has the capacity to transport one person at a time to the dam’s lower gallery to carry out maintenance and inspection work.

In order to increase capacity, Metro Vancouver is installing a new elevator system using an existing air shaft on the west side of the Cleveland Dam. This new elevator will have the capacity to transport maintenance crews, and can accommodate a rescue stretcher if required. Construction is anticipated to be complete in summer 2012.

Metro Vancouver is committed to identifying and mitigating the impacts of construction on the communities in which we work. Metro Vancouver maintains an ongoing, open dialogue with residents on the North Shore and recreational users of the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve and Capilano River Regional Park to identify and address any concerns.

Community Liaison Officer (CLO): A CLO is available to respond to questions and listen to your feedback regarding the Seymour-Capilano Water Utility Projects. Call 604-451-6654 for more information.

Construction Issues
Public access: All parks remain open and accessible during construction. Please be aware of construction activities and follow detour and/or pedestrian signage. Construction projects are responsible for restoring park areas upon completion of work. Metro Vancouver often uses the period of construction clean-up to enhance park amenities, such as trails and walkways.
 
Cyclists: There may be delays for cyclists in areas close to
construction. Watch for signs and flag control. Use caution on loose gravel.
 

 
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