Highland Creek Flood Review (Lawrence & McCowan)
Servicing Lawrence & McCowan, the Highland Creek watershed has very little stormwater control for improving water quality. Approximately 9% of the watershed has stormwater management controls.[1]
Launched in 2006 and again enhanced following a severe storm in July 2013, the Basement Flooding Protection Program was designed as a multi-year City of Toronto program to help reduce the risk of flooding by making improvements to the sewer system and overland drainage routes.
Nearly two decades after the program launch, as of March 2024, the Environmental Assessment (EA) study for Basement Flooding Study Area 59 (South Scarborough Highland Creek) that serves Lawrence & McCowan was still in progress.[2] [3] [4]
Once this EA process is complete, community consultations are held, the recommended basement flooding projects are sequenced into a 5-year project list which is presented on an annual basis to City Council.[5]
In 2020, staff reported that due to the large number, cost, and scale of the Basement Flooding improvement projects, it will take several decades to implement all the recommended projects.[6]
Projects are prioritized and scheduled to protect the greatest number of properties as soon as possible, within approved budgets and coordinated with other construction work — as per Council approved criteria. The length and type of construction will vary depending on the type of projects being implemented.
The TOC outlines that significant upgrades to the exiting water system will be required. Despite this, as of March 2024, Toronto Water is still assessing remediation plans and currently has no set timelines or costing. The is work is still predicated on procurement, funding, approvals and council buy-in for prioritization.
Concerned yet? Contact your elected official. HERE
Sources:
[1] City of Toronto’s - 2021 Scarborough Centre (OurSC) Study – Review of Transportation, Servicing, Energy And Community Infrastructure, p. 28 https://www.toronto.ca/ext/digital_comm/pdfs/city-planning/city-planning-our-scarborough-centre-background-report-2021.pdf
[2] City of Toronto - 2020 Basement Flooding Protection Program Update; Infrastructure and Environment Committee - https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-157782.pdf
[3] City of Toronto - 2024 Capital Budget Briefing Note; Basement Flooding Protection Program – Program Status Update and Project List: 2024 to 2028 https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/bu/bgrd/backgroundfile-242014.pdf
[4] City of Toronto Public Consultation Unit. Study Area 59 - Toronto Water - Basement Flooding Protection Program, (Personal Communication, 25 Mar. 2024.)
[5] Ibid.
[6]City of Toronto - 2020 Basement Flooding Protection Program Update; Infrastructure and Environment Committee - https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-157782.pdf