case Studies

Speedsville Pumping Station | Cambridge, Ontario

Services
Project Value

$7,000,000

Project Overview

After a Class Environmental Assessment determined that a sanitary pumping station was the ideal method of providing sanitary service to the proposed Hunt Club subdivision, the developer retained MTE to provide consulting engineering services to support the construction of the Speedsville Pumping Station. MTE’s team was challenged with preparing designs, achieving approvals and commissioning the station within two years.

In order to uphold the construction schedule of the subdivision, it was imperative to have the pumping station and forcemains commissioned promptly. Having been familiar with this method of project delivery, whereby requirements of both the developer and the City of Cambridge need to be met, MTE was well suited for the job. Our team designed the forcemains, gravity sewers and pumping station, which services a total area of 341.5 ha. The area also includes both the proposed subdivision as well as the surrounding lands of the Arriscraft development and the East Side Lands. Since development of the surrounding land has occurred gradually, construction of the pumping station has been carried out over two stages to minimize costs and provide flexibility for future development.

MTE’s Involvement

Throughout the detailed design, our team conducted a topographical survey, soils, bedrock and groundwater assessments, in addition to providing the capacity and electrical design. We also obtained approval for a building permit and site plan approvals from the City of Cambridge, in addition to consulting with the Ministry of Environmental, Conservation and Parks for an Environmental Compliance Approval, and the Grand River Conservation Authority.

Our scope included the design and construction of the Speedsville Pumping Station, as well as 450-mm diameter and 300-mm diameter forcemains, put in place to connect the new station to the existing gravity sewer outlet. Additionally, a deep 525-mm-diameter gravity trunk sewer connects the East Side Lands to the new pumping station.

Although the site excavation was particularly challenging due to poor soil and groundwater conditions, our team was able to divert the excessive groundwater using a high compact clay barrier wall in conjunction with the use of three trench dewatering pumps. Additionally, in response to the depth of the trunk sewer, trench dewatering, trenchless installations, trench boxes, and a side rail shoring system were all techniques our team used to install the deep sewer in such close proximity to existing infrastructure.

We also provided support and recommendations during tendering, inspection and contract administration services throughout construction, in addition to the management and close coordination of an array of subconsultants for electrical, instrumental, SCADA, and landscape architecture.

Our timely management of the construction of the station allowed for the Hunt Club subdivision to proceed on schedule and eliminated the need for a full-scale municipal pumping station, all while providing a sanitary outlet for a substantial portion of the City’s future East Side Lands developments.