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mobile pumps operating on Farifield
island for several weeks to prevent the
back up of water into private properties.
Public Works New Bucket
Truck
In 2012, the Public Works Bucket Truck,
Unit 07, reached the end of its service
life and was replaced. The new bucket
truck is multi-purpose and the purchase
has reduced the need to have three
vehicles on a worksite to having just
one vehicle. This truck will significantly
reduce operating costs and will increase
the levels of safety for both employees
and the public.
2012 Open Channel Drainage
Maintenance
The City’s 2012 Open Watercourse
Drainage Maintenance Program was
a resounding success with over 60km
of watercourses being cleaned. As has
been the case in the past 4 years, the
City received authorization from the
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
(DFO) to conduct drainage maintenance
in an expanded work window extending
from mid-June to October 5th. Notable
watercourses that underwent drainage
maintenance include nearly 5,000
linear metres of the Hope Slough in the
Rosedale area, and over 11,000 linear
metres of the McGillivray Slough in
Greendale.
Promontory Zone 2 Reservoir –
Perimeter Seal Repair
During the last reservoir cleaning and
inspection, cracking and damage to the
roof perimeter seal was detected on the
Promontory Zone 2 Reservoir.
With the assistance of Associated
Engineering, a suitable new sealant
process and contractor were selected
to complete the work while keeping the
reservoir online. The new flexible seal
allows for expansion and contraction
of the roof section while maintaining a
impenetrable seal on the perimeter.
New Generators for Pump
Stations
City crews completed the installation
of (3) new generators at sewer pump
stations- #20 Thomas Road, #27 Yale
Road and #28 Teskey Road, in 2012.
McGillivray Drainage Pump
Station Main Hydro
Transformer Replacement
During annual oil sampling and
maintenance of the McGillivray pump
station’s high voltage transformer, it was
discovered that the existing unit showed
signs of potential failure. The existing
transformer was constructed in 1974
and was custom designed and built for
the operation of this pump station. With
almost 40 years in service providing
power for draining the Greendale
area this transformer has performed
flawlessly for the City. A new transformer
was designed, built, installed and
commissioned in late October 2012 after
a 22 week design and build period.
Direct Read Meter
Replacement
The City of Chilliwack supplies drinking
water through approximately 18,000
water service connections: ranging in
size from 3/4” up to 10” in diameter.
Every service is equipped with a water
meter to accurately measure and record
water consumption. Being 100%
metered, the City enjoys this benefit
which is uncommon for most Canadian
municipalities.
The conversion of direct-read meters to
newer technologies began 18 years ago
in 1994 and was completed in December
2012.
Every direct-read meter has now been
removed from the system, leaving only
the newer high tech, low maintenance,
touch-pad and radio-read meters in
service. The many advantages that we are
seeing from this initiative include:
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Meter reading costs have reduced by
60%;
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The efficiency of reading the entire
meter inventory has improved by over
100%;
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Knee / back problems and repetitive
strain injuries associated with manual
reading of old meters has been
eliminated;
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Water leaks have become easier to
detect;
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Utility bills using estimated meter
readings has reduced;
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Identification of water theft / meter
bypasses has become much easier;
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Water use audits are now
considerably more accurate.
Sanitary Sewer Manhole
Rehabilitation
During the fall months, the City
completed the scope of works
established for the 2012 manhole
rehabilitation program. The purpose
of this program is to eliminate the
infiltration of ground water into the
City’s sanitary sewer collection system,
and to extend the life of sanitary sewer
manholes through surface treatments,
by protecting the manhole interior
from corrosive atmospheric conditions.
The treatment process involves using a
crystallite material which changes the
molecular structure of the concrete while
creating a waterproof barrier.
In 2012, staff were able to rehabilitate a
total of nine manholes within the alloted
budget.
public works department
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