York Water System: A Case Study

The Regional Official Plan is a set of policies that help guide economic, environmental and

community-building decisions affecting the use of land and is one tool that is used to manage

growth. The policies within the Official Plan help coordinate and provide a framework for

more detailed planning by the area Municipalities. These efforts can provide certainty as to

the form of development and provide for the protection of the environment in York Region. A

balanced approach to growth will ensure that the Region remains an attractive place to live

and work.

The Region of York Official Plan was first approved by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and

Housing on October 17, 1994. The Office Consolidation version of the Plan reflects the status

of the

Official Plan as of November 30, 2005 and incorporates approvals of deferred or referred
policies and designations by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and/or the Ontario
Municipal Board since the original approval. The Consolidation includes Regional
Amendment 41 - The Oak Ridges Moraine Conformity Amendment and Regional Amendment
43 - Regional Centres and Corridors. Subsequent Amendments will be required to bring this
Plan into conformity with the approved Provincial Greenbelt Plan, 2005 and additional
Provincial initiatives, including Places to Grow - The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden
Horseshoe when approved.
The purpose of this Class Environmental Assessment, Phase 1 and 2 Study is to address the
water storage problem for North Richmond Hill. The study revisits the overall general
solutions, examines storage solutions and identifies the preferred site for a 7.55 Million Litre
(1.66 Million Imperial Gallon) Elevated Water Storage Tank. Also included is the planning of
the Yonge Street Watermain.
The Study documents the water storage requirements for Water Pressure District 9, which is
primarily within the Oak Ridges Moraine area, as developed in the York Region Long Term
Water Master Plan. The Elevated Tank and Watermain projects are identified as Schedule ‘B’
and ‘A’ projects respectively, under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA)
Process. However, the Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan (ORMCP) and York Region’s
proactive approach to meeting its goals play a significant role in the site selection process.
The Study Area, Alternative Tank Sites and the proposed Yonge Street Watermain location are
shown on the attached map labelled Figure 1-1.
The entire Study Area is located within the Oak Ridges Moraine and is bounded 500 metres
north of Bloomington Road in the North, Bathurst Street in the West, Gamble Road in the
South and Bayview Avenue in the East, as shown on Figure 1-1. The Study Area has been
identified as being the most suitable area within Richmond Hill PD9 to locate an Elevated
Tank, according to ground elevations and proximity to existing infrastructure and the serviced
population.

The York Water System (YWS), serving the Municipalities of Markham, Vaughan and Richmond

Hill is an extension of the Lake Ontario-based system from the City of Toronto. Municipalities

are typically divided into geographical areas that have a range of water pressures that can be

supplied by common facilities. These are called Water Pressure Districts (PD). In the YWS,

there are 12 service areas within the 6 Water Pressure Districts (PD4 to PD9), in addition to

local intermediate zones within these districts. The York Water System obtains its water from

the City of Toronto and Peel Region, in accordance with the water supply agreements signed

with each jurisdiction.

The York Region Official Plan, York Region Long Term Water Master Plan and Oak Ridges

Moraine Conservation Plan (ORMCP) are key documents which are referenced in this Phase 1

and 2 Study Report and are available from York Region and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs

and Housing.

KMK Consultants Limited were retained by the Regional Municipality of York to undertake

a
Municipal Class EA with respect to site selection for the North Richmond Hill Elevated Tank
and location of the Yonge Street Watermain, in order to meet the requirements of the York
Region Official Plan and Long Term Water Master Plan. A summary of the Municipal Class EA
Planning and Design Process follows.
The York Water System (YWS) serving the municipalities of Markham, Vaughan and Richmond
Hill is an extension of the Lake Ontario-based system from the City of Toronto. There are 12
service areas within the 6 pressure districts (PD4 to PD9), in addition to local intermediate
zones within these districts. Figure 3-1 illustrates the Regional water infrastructure servicing
Richmond Hill PD9.
The York Water System obtains its water from the City of Toronto and Peel Region, in
accordance with the water supply agreements signed with each jurisdiction. In 2006, water
supplied from the City of Toronto and Peel Region is estimated at 493.6 ML/d to a maximum of
918.3 ML/d