ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: July 11, 1995
Dept. File No.
TO: Vancouver City Council
FROM: General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT: Private Property Sewer Separation of Queen Elizabeth
Theatre
RECOMMENDATION
THAT the City proceed with the private property sewer separation of
the Queen Elizabeth Theatre at a cost of $120,000; source of funds
to be in advance from revenue surplus to be repaid from 1996
supplementary capital budget.
COUNCIL POLICY
In the early 1970's, Council approved the policy of separating sanitary
and storm sewers, starting in the West End and Downtown areas. This
policy was reaffirmed in 1981 as part of the Sewers Long Range Capital
Plan, along with the adoption of the 1% life cycle sewer replacement
policy. Both of these policies were reaffirmed in the 1991 Policy
Report on standards for the sewer collection system.
In 1978, the Private Property Separation Program was established by
Council in order to achieve the pollution control benefits of a
separated sewer system. This program provides a $1000 grant for each
property and a free sewer connection.
PURPOSE
This report requests Council approval to proceed with private property
sewer separation of the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and to identify a
funding source. This work will finalize sewer separation in the
Yaletown drainage basin eliminating sewage overflows from the Drake
Street Outfall into False Creek.
BACKGROUND
Over the past two decades, the main sewer system in the downtown core
has been almost entirely replaced with a separated sewer system. To
gain the benefits of a separated system, the new pipes must extend to
all plumbing fixtures on private property. The City's private property
separation program provides incentives to property owners to help
achieve this goal. One of the focusses of the City's program has been
the Yaletown basin (see attached map). To date, over 400 properties in
this basin have separated their plumbing, either as part of
redevelopment, or through the City's program. The Queen Elizabeth
Theatre is the last remaining parcel requiring separation.
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Once all parcels have completed private property sewer separation in the
Yaletown basin, modifications can be made to the sewer system to
eliminate all sewage overflows from the Drake Street outfall to False
Creek. This would improve water quality in False Creek, reduce the
pumping costs to the Nelson Pump Station and eliminate unnecessary
treatment of clean groundwater. The reduction of treatment costs alone
represent a potential savings of $30,000 per year in GVS&DD levies.
DISCUSSION
Due to the complexity of existing plumbing on the Queen Elizabeth Site,
project costs are estimated to be $120,000. This work involves
rerouting the plumbing within existing buildings, a
6-meter deep connection at Georgia and Cambie, and a 50-meter sanitary
line extension. Three funding options have been identified:
A. Sewer Separation Program
Funds from the Sewer separation program could pay for the entire
separation. Typically, a $1000 grant and a connection on public
property are provided to assist property owners. This budget option
is not considered appropriate for funding separation on private
property and would significantly reduce the funding available for
private property separation in other areas of the city. The cost
of this project would represent almost 50% of the annual budget for
this program.
B. Civic Theatres Capital Reserve
Funds from Civic Theatres Capital Reserve are used for upgrades to
the Queen Elizabeth Theatre (as well as the Orpheum and the
Vancouver Playhouse). This funding has been fully committed
through to 1998.
C. 1996 Supplementary Capital Budget
Funds could be supplied in advance of the 1996 supplementary
capital budget with interim financing from revenue surplus.
In order to proceed in a timely fashion, and to maintain incentives
under the sewer separation program, we recommend Option C.
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