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Project Description

Robinson Consultants Inc. was retained by the Region of Peel to complete the detailed condition assessment, detailed design (including supporting preliminary and technical reviews, memos and studies), and contract administration and site inspection for the rehabilitation of the Fletcher’s Creek Sanitary Trunk Sewer. Project scope included 41 maintenance hole to maintenance hole segments, approximately 4km of 750mm, 975mm, and 1200mm in diameter at an average depth of 8-10m. The project also included the rehabilitation of maintenance holes and appurtenances for Fletcher’s Meadows within the City of Brampton.

The 2013 and 2017 detailed condition assessment of the Fletcher’s Creek Sanitary Trunk Sewer, conducted by the Region of Peel, revealed that several locations of the sewer were in poor condition, with longitudinal fractures and heavy infiltration, as well as several maintenance holes requiring rehabilitation. The design phase included the recommendation for the identified sewer sections with structural and service deficiencies for rehabilitation with a combination of CIPP lining and mechanical seals. Recommendations for maintenance holes included elimination of infiltration via chemical grouting, replacement of ladders and platforms to comply with Region of Peel standards and repair interior appurtenances as required.

Robinson Consultants Inc. also assisted with the pre-construction and construction phases on the project involving working with the Region of Peel’s procurement team on the preparation of a Request for Proposal (RFP) including evaluation criteria, technical specifications, and engineering drawings to select a successful contractor for construction. contract administration, site inspection, and quality control services were completed during construction.

Engineering Innovation

Due to the overall size and complexities of the project, the Region of Peel required a strong procurement document that allowed for a fair bid process, which clearly articulated Region’s requirements. It was crucial that the document also ensured that the selected Contractor was qualified to complete the project and had proposed a sound, detailed approach and methodology. The document had a strong focus on the overall project deliverables, evaluation criteria, and rigorous technical specifications for QA/QC throughout the project.

Robinson Consultants Inc. investigated the implications of ground water on the various CIPP curing methods along with limitations and included the requirement for hot water cure only for applicable segments with high groundwater table and longer installation shots. The specification also required the utilization of a dual temperature monitoring system along the invert, in addition to standard temperature monitoring at the maintenance holes. This provided stronger accountability on the contractor to install compliant CIPP liners through recordable evidence of a fully cured CIPP liner.

Four sewer segments were attempted to be CIPP lined in 2005 but initially failed likely due to excessive groundwater pressure experienced during installation and curing. This required installation of a second liner over the existing liners shortly after the first liner was installed. In order to eliminate the greater risk of a Contractor’s inability to stop groundwater infiltration in advance of liner installation, the requirement to eliminate gushing infiltration by installing mechanical seals was included in the RFP. This greatly reduced the risk of chemical grouting not providing sufficient resistance to hydrostatic pressure exerted during liner installation and curing.

Public Consultation and Stakeholder Engagement

A majority of the sewer segments are located within the Fletcher’s Creek Floodplains with access maintenance holes located in proximity to the Creek. Fletcher’s Creek is home to Redside Dace which is an endangered species with its habitat protected under the Endangered Species Act. Excavation activity associated with construction of a temporary access road within the Floodplains of Fletcher’s Creek would have required extensive permitting from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP). In order to minimize disturbance to the habitat, Robinson Consultants Inc. identified the ability to utilize temporary wood matting over existing trails and grassed areas and specified this as part of RFP requirements. This approach was review by the Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) and MECP and resulted in eliminating the need for additional permitting allowing the execution of the critical phase of the project on time with minimal disturbance to the surrounding thus protecting the environment.

Further stakeholder co-ordination was required with the City of Brampton, including City Parks and City Traffic groups. This co-ordination was a key to the success of the project to ensure appropriate notifications and scheduling for the closure of the public path through the park and both road closures and lane restriction during construction.

In the News

Challenging Trunk Sewer Condition Assessment and Rehabilitation Initiatives in the Region of Peel

ACCESSIBILITY FOR ONTARIANS
WITH DISABILITIES ACT (AODA) POLICY

Robinson Consultants Inc. is committed to providing equal treatment to people with disabilities with respect to the use and benefit of our services.

Pursuant to section 6 of Ontario Regulation 429/07, Accessibility Standards for Customer Service, made under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, the company ensures that all of its employees as well as suppliers who provide goods and services for Robinson Consultants Inc., are adequately aware of the provision of accessible customer service in accordance with Ontario Regulation 429/07.

OUR MISSION

Robinson Consultants Inc. is committed to ensuring that all aspects of our business are performed in compliance with Government Standards and Guidelines. It is also our mission to ensure that all services at Robinson Consultants Inc. are provided in a manner that respects the dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity of people with disabilities.

OUR COMMITMENT

In fulfilling our mission, Robinson Consultants Inc. strives at all times to provide its services in a way that respects the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. We are also committed to giving people with disabilities the same opportunity to access our goods and services and allowing them to benefit from the same services, in the same place and in a similar way as any customer.

PROVIDING GOODS AND SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Robinson Consultants Inc. is committed to excellence in serving all customers including individuals with disabilities and we will carry out our functions and responsibilities in the following areas;

Communication

We will communicate with people with disabilities in ways that take into account their disability. We will train staff who communicate with customers on how to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.

Telephone Services

We are committed to providing fully accessible telephone service to our customers. We will train staff to communicate with customers over the telephone in clear and plain language and to speak clearly and slowly. We will offer to communicate with customers by fax, website, e-mail or in person, if telephone communication is not suitable to their communication needs or is not available.

Assistive Devices

We are committed to serving people with disabilities who use assistive devices to obtain, use or benefit from our services. We will ensure that our staff members are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by customers with disabilities while accessing our services. We will also ensure that all staff members know how to use the following assistive devices available on our premises for customers: power assisted doors, ground level access and ramps.

Billing

We are committed to providing accessible invoices to all of our customers. For this reason, invoices will be provided in the following formats upon request: hard copy, large print, e-mail, or as mutually agreed upon by the customer and Robinson Consultants Inc. We will answer any questions customers may have about the content of the invoice in person, by telephone or by e-mail.

USE OF SERVICE ANIMALS AND SUPPORT PERSONS

We are committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal on the parts of our premises that are open to the public and other third parties who are not otherwise excluded by law from the premise. Where excluded by law, Robinson Consultants Inc. will consider alternate measures to enable the persons with a disability to obtain, use or otherwise benefit from our services. We will also ensure that all staff, volunteers and others dealing with the public are properly trained in how to interact with people with disabilities who are accompanied by a service animal.

We are committed to welcoming people with disabilities who are accompanied by a support person. Any person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person will be allowed to enter Robinson Consultants Inc. premises with his or her support person unless they are excluded for other unrelated reasons. At no time will a person with a disability who is accompanied by a support person be prevented from having access to his or her support person while on our premises.

NOTICE OF TEMPORARY DISRUPTION

Robinson Consultants Inc. will provide customers with notice in the event of a planned or unexpected disruption in the facilities or services usually used by people with disabilities. This notice will include information about the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and a description of alternative facilities services, if available.

The notice will be placed at all public entrances, on telephone recordings and at the reception desk on our premises. In appropriate circumstances, the notice will also be posted on Robinson Consultants Inc. Web site. It is recognized that the ability to provide appropriate notice of a disruption may be limited in cases of an emergency that caused the temporary disruption.

EMPLOYMENT

Robinson Consultants will make suitable accommodations for persons with disabilities throughout the selection process. Robinson Consultants will notify all applicants that accommodation is available throughout the selection process and will work with persons with a disability to make adjustments to the selection process in a way that best suits their needs.

Robinson Consultants will work with employees with disabilities to develop a formal, written, individualized accommodation plan which will be reviewed and updated annually or when there is a change to the physical space or accommodation needs of that individual.

All successful candidates, new hires, as well as current staff, will be notified of Robinson Consultants commitment to accommodating employees with disabilities in order to provide equal opportunity of employment.

PROCESS TO ACCOMMODATE EMPLOYEES

Robinson Consultants will continue to take the following steps to ensure that internal process regarding return to work practices, performance management, career development and job changes take into account accessibility needs of employees.

• We will review processes to identify barriers to accessibility that may exist;
• We will consult with employees who have advised us of a disability that requires accommodation.

TRAINING FOR STAFF

Robinson Consultants Inc. will provide training to all employees, volunteers and others who deal with the public or other third parties on their behalf, and all those who are involved in the development and approvals of customer service policies, practices and procedures.

Training will include the following:

• The purposes of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the requirements of the customer service standard.
• How to interact and communicate with people with various types of disabilities.
• How to interact with people with disabilities who use an assistive device or require the assistance of a service animal or a support person.
• How to use the power assisted doors and ramp available on our premises or otherwise that may help with the provision of services to people with disabilities.
• What to do if a person with a disability is having difficulty in accessing Robinson Consultants Inc. services.
• Robinson Consultants Inc. policies, practices and procedures relating to the customer service standard.
• Requirements pertaining to persons with disabilities as outlined by the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Applicable staff will be trained on policies, practices and procedures that affect the way services are provided to people with disabilities. Staff will also be trained on an ongoing basis when changes are made to these policies, practices and procedures.

FEEDBACK PROCESS

The ultimate goal of Robinson Consultants Inc. is to meet and surpass customer expectations while serving customers with disabilities. Comments on our services regarding how well those expectations are being met are welcome and appreciated.

Feedback regarding the way Robinson Consultants Inc. provides services to people with disabilities can be made online, by e-mail, verbally, by letter or by telephone. All feedback should be directed to the AODA Compliance Officer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone at 613-592-6060 ext. 156.

Customers who provide formal feedback will receive acknowledgement of their feedback, along with any resulting actions based on concerns that were submitted.

MODIFICATIONS TO THIS OR OTHER POLICIES

We are committed to developing customer service policies that respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities. Therefore, no changes will be made to this policy before considering the impact on people with disabilities. Any policy of Robinson Consultants Inc. that does not respect and promote the dignity and independence of people with disabilities will be reviewed and amended as appropriate.

QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS POLICY

This policy exists to achieve service excellence to customers with disabilities. If anyone has a question about the policy, or if the purpose of a policy is not understood, an explanation should be provided by, or referred to, President of Robinson Consultants Inc. or his/her designate.

AODA DOCUMENTS

Download a complete copy of our Integrated Accessibility Standards Policy or our Multi-year Accessibility Plan.

Project Description

This project was initiated in response to a large watermain break in 2011 on the primary water supply to the south end of Ottawa. Robinson Consultants Inc. was retained by the City of Ottawa to complete a condition assessment and risk analysis to determine the optimal renewal strategy. The project included the design and construction of 1km of 1220mm watermain, 400m of 305mm watermain by directional drilling, a mobile pump station and temporary bypass pipe, three individual spot repairs, pipe material selection, corrosion protection, wire break monitoring system, tender package, construction staging and watermain commissioning plan, full traffic bypass plans for short term closures of Hunt Club Road, public communications and construction administration and inspection.

The Woodroffe Avenue watermain is a 1220mm transmission watermain that is the primarily supply for Barrhaven, Riverside South and the Village of Manotick, serving a population of approximately 100,000 people. Following the break and subsequent electromagnetic inspection, it was determined that 1km of the watermain had to be replaced. While this watermain was isolated for inspection and replacement, the area was being serviced by a 406mm watermain and booster pump. Since the 406mm watermain could not provide adequate supply for peak-summer demands, an outdoor water ban was implemented by the City. Robinson Consultants Inc. fast-tracked the design and tender package to limit the amount of time that this critical watermain was out of service, as well as the length of the outdoor water ban.

In an effort to add additional supply to the isolated section of 1220mm south of the replacement section, a 305mm watermain was constructed by horizontal directional drilling and open-cut methods.  The 305mm watermain was connected to an existing 610mm C301(L) PCCP at the north and to the 1220mm C301(L) at the south. Both of these connections were made using a live taps.

A 1km section of 1220mm C301(L) PCCP watermain was replaced within the project limits. This watermain replacement included new valves and valve chambers, hydrants where required and large services to the Nepean Sportsplex. The watermain design included a full cathodic protection design, including coordination with PURE Technologies for the installation of an acoustic fiber optic cable within the watermain, which is used to record prestress wire breaks in real time. Spot repairs were completed at three other locations, where the initial inspection had identified additional distressed pipes.

Project Description

Robinson Consultants Inc. was retained by Niagara Region to complete the rehabilitation planning, preliminary design, and detailed design for the Stamford Interceptor Trunk Sewer Rehabilitation Phase II. Niagara Region identified the need to rehabilitate the Stamford Interceptor Trunk Sewer (SITS) in the City of Niagara Falls based on historical CCTV inspections which showed that the segments are in very poor condition based on severe corrosion and exposed reinforcement as a result of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in the pipe. The project scope included Phase II of the trunk sewer consisting of 1560m of 1050mm diameter reinforced concrete pipe, composed of 14 segments and 14 maintenance holes. The SITS runs parallel to the Ontario Power Generation (OPG) canal and along the new high traffic pedestrian trail (Millennium Recreational Trail). The objective of the project was to rehabilitate Phase II of the SITS and the associated maintenance holes using trenchless technology. As part of the trunk sewer rehabilitation project, the Region’s intention was to minimize disruption and closure of the Millennium Recreational Trail to reduce inconvenience to the public as well as reduce potential impacts to the existing OPG lands during construction.

Based on an evaluation of the potential trenchless rehabilitation options for the SITS, it was recommended that the Region proceed with the use of Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) to rehabilitate the sewer due to its capability to resist H₂S corrosion, provide a fully structural rehabilitation solution, and minimize impacts to flow capacity, and its suitability for 1050mm diameter pipe and commercial availability in the local market. Extensive coordination required during the design phase in order to minimize disruption and closure of the Millennium Recreational Trail to reduce inconvenience to the public as well as reduce potential impacts to the existing OPG lands during construction.

For the procurement process, it was recommended that the Region pursue a Request for Proposal (RFP) process versus a tender due to the complexity of the project, specialty nature of the rehabilitation work and the risks associated with working within the property. The objectives for the RFP are to retain a qualified and experienced rehabilitation contractor with a well-planned approach and methodology to complete the work. 

Project Description

Robinson Consultants Inc. was retained by the City of Ottawa to undertake the preliminary and detailed design for the replacement of eight existing culverts. The renewal structures included CSP and concrete round pipe. The culvert replacements were split into five separate contract packages for staggered delivery and construction. The replacement structures size ranged from 600mm to 3000mm in diameter. Trenchless renewal methods were designed for two of the sites using Cured-in-Place (CIPP), HDPE sliplining, and auger boring. One of the culverts failed during the design phase and required a road closure and emergency replacement operation.

Several activities were completed to support the design, including: hydrologic and hydraulic modelling, assessment of trenchless rehabilitation measures, geotechnical study, natural environment study, and consultation with environmental and federal regulatory agencies. Robinson Consultants Inc. completed the preliminary and detailed design including traffic and construction staging plans, temporary flow control, guiderails, and utility protection measures. Robinson Consultants Inc. also prepared tender documents in accordance with the City of Ottawa standards, attended meetings with utility companies, prepared property requirement plans, and obtained the necessary environmental approvals.

Project Description

Robinson Consultants Inc. was retained by the City of Ottawa to undertake the preliminary and detailed design for area traffic management and bioretention measures along Hemmingwood Way. The primary objectives of the assignment were to reduce the existing surface runoff through the implementation of bioretention measures and improve traffic safety along Hemmingwood Way. The proposed work included six bioretention rain gardens, two mid-block narrowings and a median, one intersection narrowing, and a Type C pedestrian crossover (PXO).

Several activities were completed to assess the suitability of the proposed LID measures including: drainage area delineation, hydrologic and hydraulic modelling, stormwater management modelling, geotechnical investigation, field permeability testing, groundwater level investigation, and Phase I and Limited Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, and consultation with environmental regulatory agencies. The field investigations revealed constrained conditions at some locations, including soils with low permeability and high groundwater table. Based on this detailed investigation, Robinson Consultants Inc. provided the City of Ottawa with recommendations for six bioretention cells located within proposed curb extensions. The inlets for the bioretention cells include a combination of curb cut inlets and cast-iron curb inlets. The preliminary and detailed design was completed and included a detailed landscaping and planting plan. Robinson Consultants Inc. prepared tender documents in accordance with the City of Ottawa standards and obtained the necessary environmental approvals.

Project Description

Robinson Consultants Inc. was retained by Kingston Utilities to assist in the planning, design, tendering, contact administration, and site inspection of the Ravensview Trunk Sewer (RTS) and North End Outlet (NEO) sanitary sewer rehabilitation project. The RTS/NEO rehabilitation project consisted of several phases completed over a 5-year period. The RTS and NEO are two major trunk sewers situated within the City of Kingston ranging in diameters sizes of 750mm to 1350mm with total combined length of 6km. The NEO runs predominately off road through wood areas and parks, and the RTS runs through wood areas in close proximity to Lake Ontario, behind some large private properties and through the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Kingston and out letting to the Ravensview Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).

The RTS and NEO were identified as having moderate to severe H₂S corrosion deterioration throughout their lengths, including exposed rebar. Project activities included sewer condition assessment, trenchless rehabilitation methodology recommendations, establishing priorities areas for rehabilitation, physical condition investigations (core sampling, H₂S corrosion assessment), geotechnical investigations, failure risk analysis, emergency responses plan, flow by-pass planning for 2350 L/s flows (RTS) & 770 L/s, preparing cost estimates and schedules, significant stakeholder meetings including Department of National Defense, preparing technical specifications, bid forms and price schedule, development of contractor RFP (including evaluation criteria), evaluation of RFP responses, technical QA/QC review of CIPP liner sampling and training seminars.

Condition assessment included recommendation on priority work for phasing of the rehabilitation work over 5 years to maximize the available capital funding per calendar year while mitigating risk. A key consideration in design and specification included flow control/bypass requirements made challenging by high flow rate forcemains incoming directly into the sewer at the rehabilitation.

RTS required a 2350 l/s fully operational flow by-pass system to be set-up and in operation for duration of project. This was accomplished through the innovative design and construction of a temporary wet well to capture and by-pass pump the flows.

Potential rehabilitation methods were analyzed resulting in selecting CIPP lining due to availability of several contractors to perform the work along with the installation method being best suited to the pipe and site conditions along with capacity requirements.

Contract administration and inspection services for the CIPP lining of this major trunk sanitary sewer included major bypass pumping, emergency preparedness, and coordination with multiple landowners including CFB Kingston.

This critical piece of Kingston infrastructure was built in the 1950s and conveys 60%-70% of Kingston sewer flow including downtown and east end. The project limits started at Hwy 2 and Hwy 15 and ran through CFB Kingston, Cartwright Point, and La Salle Blvd and outlets at the Ravensview Treatment Plant.

The 3.4km of 1200mm and 1350mm pipe was rehabilitated. The main key to success with a project as complicated and involved as this was a team-based approach involving all stakeholders, which resulted in an effective approach to maintaining construction schedule and pre-empting issues that would cause delays and conflicts.