Systems Overview: Water, Sewer, Stormwater

The City of Markham's sanitary sewer system collects and moves domestic/industrial wastewater to the Duffin Creek Wastewater Pollution Control Plant located in Pickering, Ontario.

There are pipes throughout your home that only collect wastewater. These pipes are a homeowner's responsibility. They include the drains leading from kitchen sinks, toilets, and showers. Keep these pipes free of debris - like hair or grease - to keep them functioning properly.

The section of sewer pipe that runs beneath your home to the property line is also a homeowner's responsibility. If that section of pipe gets clogged with large objects being flushed down a toilet, baby-wipes, grease buildup, or by tree roots on your front lawn, it is the homeowners' responsibility to have it cleared out.

Baby-wipes go into the garbage and should not be flushed, even if they say "flushable" on the package. Hair and grease into the green bin and not into the wastewater system. Sewer backups are commonly caused by items that should never be flushed down the toilet or poured down the drain.

The City of Markham's sanitary sewer system collects and moves domestic/industrial wastewater to the Duffin Creek Wastewater Pollution Control Plant located in Pickering, Ontario. The Region treats wastewater and releases the cleaned water into Lake Ontario. The quality of the water being released after treatment must meet high standards as set by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks.

Once Markham's wastewater reaches the Duffin Creek Wastewater Pollution Control Plant, it goes through an extensive cleaning process. This process includes four general steps.

Step 1: Screening

As wastewater (sewage) enters the Plant, screening removes large, inorganic objects. These objects could include things such as rags, diapers, personal hygiene products, and any other inorganic objects which are removed and sent to landfill.

Step 2: Primary Treatment (Physical)

Organic materials (ie. human waste and food) in the wastewater are removed using settling tanks. These settlement tanks work by using gravity and time to allow the solids to settle to the bottom of the tank where it is collected. A skimmer is then used to remove fats, oils, and grease that float to the top and a chemical is added to remove phosphourous. The remaining liquid portion of the wastewater moves on to secondary treatment.

Step 3: Secondary Treatment (Biological)

Secondary treatment removes small pieces of organic materials from the wastewater using aeration lanes which pump air into the tanks giving helpful bacteria the oxygen they need to break down the organic material and absorb nutrients. Settling tanks are used again to allow the material and bacteria to settle to the bottom where they are collected and removed. The clean water (effluent) from this stage then flows into its final stage, disinfection. 

Step 4: Disinfection

Chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) is added to kill and deactivate any remaining harmful bacteria (i.e.. E.coli.). Afterwards, another chemical, sodium bisulphite, is used to remove the chlorine before the clear treated water is released into Lake Ontario. 

Flooding of the sanity sewer system can occur on residential/industrial property, or on public and city regulated property. Sanitary sewer backups can be a result of blockages or pipe breaks.

Blockages occur because of excess grease, food or any other materials such as wet wipes, flushed or poured down the drain. This material accumulates in pipes and restricts the flow, causing a backup. Breaks in underground pipes may happen due to faulty installation, pipe age, digging, or invading tree roots.

The City of Markham will repair any blockages or breaks on the Markham-owned portion of the pipes as quickly as possible. However, pipes in a residential/industrial building, as well as the underground pipes from the building to the property line, are the responsibility of the property owner.

The City of Markham, its residents and businesses value our environment and its natural resources. Our stormwater management activities help protect and enhance our water resources, and maintain the continued health of our streams, rivers, lakes, fisheries and natural heritage systems.

Stormwater management policies and practices also help manage the risk of flood damages in natural and urban drainage systems.

Markham's stormwater management systems have evolved from basic ditch and storm sewer drainage networks, to advanced storage and treatment facilities that manage both the quality and quantity of stormwater runoff and snowmelt.

Today's stormwater management policies and standards promote systems that mimic the natural water cycle and protect sensitive fish species in our environment.

Markham's Stormwater Management Strategy is a set of programs and projects that serve to advance City policies and meet the regulatory requirements related to the operation and maintenance of our drainage systems, and to implement priority capacity upgrades of storm sewer networks. The results of this strategy help the City achieve its strategic priorities related to environmental protection (policies to protect land, water, habitat and living species) and to delivery of cost-effective and responsive municipal services. Programs and projects also help the City achieve desired level of services goals consistent its broader asset management planning framework.

Our stormwater management strategy activities have been classified into broad categories including:

• Flood Control
  • Markham Flood Control Program
    • West Thornhill Stormwater Flood Remediation Project
    • Don Mills Channel Flood Reduction - Municipal Class EA
• Erosion control;
• Watercourse management;
• Maintenance of stormwater management facilities;
  • Swan Lake Water Quality
  • Stormwater Management Facilities Retrofit Class Environmental Assessment

The Strategy is carried out in close partnership with local and provincial agencies that have roles in regulation of water resources and natural heritage systems. Activities within the strategy are funded through a combination of sources including:

• Property taxes;
• Development/growth-related charges;
• Grants: and
• Cost-sharing.

The Stormwater Management Strategy was developed after consultation with various stakeholder, community meetings, and presentations to Council. For consultation process and flood control funding, visit the Council Presentations section for details.

If you would like more information on Markham's Stormwater Management Strategy, please contact stormwater@markham.ca.

If you would like to make a comment on Markham's Stormwater Management Strategy or funding sources, please complete our Feedback Form.

Facts & Figures on Markham's Stormwater System

Markham stormwater infrastructure represents a considerable investment built up over decades and consists of:

• 743 kilometres of storm sewers
• 176 kilometres of ditches
• 11,400 manholes
• 20,000 catch basins
• 301 sewer outfalls
• 4,500 culverts, and
• 70 stormwater management facilities (ponds), and
• 2 stormwater pumping stations
  

Markham's stormwater management and drainage systems are key components of the City's infrastructure that help protect the environment and reduce the risk of flooding to private property. Recent studies have identified capacity limitations in older drainage systems that would require significant investments to upgrade.

While most of the City's stormwater management activities are adequately funded through existing sources, a long-term sustainable funding source for flood control projects did not exist. Staff, after extensive consultation with Markham residents and businesses at Community Meetings, recommended the implementation of the Markham Flood Control Program, and the associated funding, to come from the Stormwater Fee.

What is Markham’s Flood Control Program?

The Flood Control Program is a long term, City-wide initiative to improve storm drainage capacity and limit surface and basement flooding risks in urban areas. Improvements will provide a more consistent level of service across Markham and help protect both public and private property. The program will also make critical infrastructure more resilient to climate change and extreme weather.

While the City’s program will improve the effectiveness of its drainage systems over the long term, businesses and residents are encouraged to take action to reduce the risk of flood damage on their own properties. This can often be achieved through maintenance of their private drainage system, or where appropriate, implementation of improvements or practices that can reduce flood risks and damages. For tips on what you can do to reduce the risks of flood damage on your property article [PDF] in the fall 2014 issue of Markham Life, a good source of current information on Markham projects, programs and plans.

How will Markham’s Flood Control Program be funded?

To help fund the program, the implementation of a City-wide Stormwater Fee was adopted by Council on November 26, 2013. This Fee will pay for flood control improvement works that lower flood risks and provide a more consistent level of service across the City.

Who Will Pay the New Fee?

To help fund the program, a City-wide Stormwater Fee will be charged to all properties. These fees, combined with Canada Gas Tax funds, will provide dedicated funding for both approved and future storm infrastructure improvement projects City-wide.

How Much is the Stormwater Fee?

The annual rate for residential properties, effective January 2015 is $47 per property unit. The residential fee will be charged once a year through your Markham Tax Bill. Non-residential properties will be charged in 2016.

Community Information Meetings & Council Presentations

Recognizing the importance of drainage services and the potential impacts to residents and businesses, Community Information Meetings were scheduled to provide background on Markham's Stormwater Management Strategy and flood control needs. The sessions provided an opportunity for feedback on adopted flood control policies and funding sources.

Past Community Meetings

Consultation with the public and stakeholders about City-wide Stormwater funding options presentation materials used at the meetings:

• Community Information Meeting Presentation [PDF]
• Community Information Meeting Posters [PDF]