Birch Avenue watermain on city’s radar for renewal

After nine breaks in 10 years, renewal project slated for 2028 or 2029

If it seems Birch Avenue has seen more than its share of watermain breaks in recent years, you’re not wrong. In fact, there have been nine breaks in the past decade, attendees at the Manor Park Community Association AGM learned on April 22. 

“We know there’s an issue here,” Scott Laberge, Manager, Linear Asset Management Group, told the audience. “We acknowledge we have to renew this pipe.”

The latest issue occurred in February following multiple breaks in 2025. The resulting work has left a patchwork of repairs between Sandridge Road and Pond Street. 

Roberge explained the line was installed in 1989-90 and should have a life expectancy of 80-100 years. Various factors — corrosion, weather, soil conditions, poor installation, among others — could force replacement sooner than that. 

That is the case for Birch Avenue, he said. In 2027, a capital budget submission will be made for the design of the line renewal. Construction could start by 2028 or 2029. 

In an email exchange with the Chronicle, Cheryl Beam, Director of Water Services-Linear, Infrastructure and Water Services, confirmed the work “would address the underlying issues contributing to the breaks.”

Watermain breaks response

For watermain breaks — usually called in via 3-1-1 — the city follows “a well-established response process,” Beam noted. The goal is to restore service as quickly and safely as possible. 

Once a crew arrives on scene, they assess the situation and secure the area “with traffic control measures or lane closures as needed, including coordinating with transit services if detours are needed.”

The following steps are then followed:

• the crew isolates the damage and either reduces or stops the water flow,

• before excavation, underground utilities (gas, hydro, telecom, sewers) are marked to prevent damage,

• once the pipe is accessed, repairs or replacement are done,

• crews then disinfect and flush the system “to meet our water quality standards” before service is restored,

• with work completed, the area of the road is patched.

“Permanent repairs, including final paving and any restoration to sidewalks or surrounding areas, are completed when weather conditions allow,” Beam explained. 

Birch condition

Beam acknowledges the current condition of Birch Avenue is not ideal and empathizes with frustrated residents. 

“The current patches are temporary measures to keep the road safe,” she wrote. “The road will be permanently repaired once the asphalt plant re-opens for the season, which is expected in early May. Crews will complete full repairs as soon as possible at that time.”