MOUNT FOREST – Wellington North may be upgrading its drainage infrastructure as soon as next year based on a study which identified 15 deficiencies within the system.
The study, prepared by B.M. Ross and presented by Izaak De Jager, recommends the Township follows the study priorities to improve drainage in the South-East portion of Mount Forest.
Six outlet and catchment areas were identified with the study recommending prioritized action on catchments 3 and 4; according to the study’s findings catchment 3 contains the “greatest concentration of significant deficiencies.”
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- Number three’s outlet is located at the Clyde and Glasgow Street bend | B.M. Ross
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- Outlet 4 is located just off Wellington Road 89 (Queen Street) | B.M. Ross
The study said the Ayrshire Street west ditch, which is not far from Outlet 3, is “solely responsible for conveying a significant quantity of runoff.”
The concept to divert flow away from Outlet 3 includes a design for a new open ditch along unopened Oxford Street to redirect flow towards Outlet 2; the second outlet’s diameter would also be doubled as part of this design.
It’s just one part of a comprehensive construction plan and is estimated to cost just under $3.2 million for all recommended improvements.
Ward 1 councillor, Penny Renkin, asked what the timeline is looking like on this project, projected to start in 2027.
De Jager said ideally work would be completed by the end of next summer.
Some of the identified issues with the drainage network include visible holes in outlets, a lacking ditch capacity and risks of overflow onto nearby properties.
De Jager said, based on post-storm reports, a significant rainfall is more likely to worsen existing issues rather than create new problems within the drainage system.
As moved by council, the study recommended the Township to direct staff to advance monitoring, culvert condition assessment and practical maintenance works as well as consider the project’s priorities as part of their 2027 capital planning budget.
