Ontario construction News staff writer
The City of Hamilton hosted a public meeting Tuesday, as part of a new environmental assessment process aimed at improving water quality in the Chedoke Creek watershed and restoring sections of Lower Chedoke Creek.
The virtual session marked the formal launch of two Class Environmental Assessments (EAs) focused on reducing urban pollution flowing into Cootes Paradise and Hamilton Harbour, and identifying long-term strategies for ecological enhancement along the Lower Chedoke corridor, from King Street to Princess Point.
The Public Information Centre (PIC), held online, introduced community members to the scope and goals of the two studies, outlined findings from recent technical reports, and gathered public feedback on a shortlist of possible solutions. Residents have until August 15 to submit their comments through the project website at engage.hamilton.ca/chedokecreek.
The studies are being carried out under the Municipal Engineers Association’s Class EA Master Plan process, using Approach 2, which allows for public and technical input as part of a comprehensive long-term infrastructure planning strategy.
“We’re committed to working with the community and our provincial partners to develop meaningful, science-based solutions that protect our waterways and support the long-term health of Hamilton Harbour,” the city said in a statement following the meeting.
The assessments follow a major sewage spill that went undetected from 2014 to 2018, when a system failure led to the release of combined sewage into Chedoke Creek. The city halted the discharge in 2018, reported the issue to Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and began targeted dredging and cleanup efforts in Lower Chedoke Creek.
Since then, the city has worked to comply with provincial cleanup orders while identifying opportunities to improve stormwater quality across the watershed, particularly in areas served by separated sewer systems.
The Chedoke Creek Watershed Stormwater Retrofits Class EA aims to develop a plan for reducing pollutants carried by stormwater into the creek and ultimately into Cootes Paradise and Hamilton Harbour. The Lower Chedoke Creek Enhancement Class EA focuses specifically on water quality restoration and ecological enhancement along a stretch of creek between King Street and Princess Point.
City officials said community input gathered during the consultation period will help refine the list of proposed solutions and guide the selection of a preferred approach.
Further public engagement opportunities are expected as the studies progress.
