HomeMy WebLinkAboutCS 03-26Report to Council
Report Number: CS 03-26
Date: January 26, 2026
From: Laura Gibbs
Director, Community Services
Subject: Emergency Plumbing Repair at the Pickering Civic Complex File: A-1440-001
Recommendation:
1. That Report CS 03-26 regarding Emergency Plumbing Repairs at the Pickering CivicComplex be received for information.
Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to notify Council of the emergency plumbing repairs completed at the Pickering Civic Complex. A blockage in the main sanitary line from City Hall in early December 2025 resulted in raw sewage spilling into various
locations in the basement and underground garage, requiring the building to be closed. This closure lasted for three days while the location and nature of the blockage could be found and corrected, ultimately resulting in the Durham Region staff responding on site to clear the blockage. Staff completed cleaning to make it safe to re-open the facility.
Bird Infrastructure has submitted a quote totaling $79,699.24 (HST included) for the
emergency repairs. This quote has been accepted in accordance with Section 12.01 of the City’s Purchasing Policy (PUR 010) and Section 15 of the Purchasing Procedure (PUR 010 001). The total gross cost for the emergency repair is estimated at $79,699.24 (HST included), with a net project cost of $71,771.00 (net HST). Staff costs, including overtime, are not
included in this report.
Relationship to the Pickering Strategic Plan: The recommendations in this report respond
to the Pickering Strategic Plan Priority of Advance Innovation & Responsible Planning to Support a Connected, Well-Serviced Community.
Financial Implications:
1.Quotation Amount
Emergency Plumbing Repairs $70,530.30
HST (13%) 9,168.94
Total Gross Quotation Cost $79,699.24
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2. Estimated Project Costing SummaryEmergency Plumbing Repairs $70,530.00
Total Project Cost $70,530.00
HST (13%) 9,169.00 Gross Project Costs $79,699.00
HST Rebate (11.24%) (7,928.00)
Total Net Project Costs $71,771.00
3.Approved Source of Funds
Description Source of Funds Account Code Funds Required
Contingency
(Current)
Property Taxes 11100.503500 $71,771.00
Total Funds $71,771.00
In accordance with Purchasing Policy PUR 010, Section 12.01, in an emergency situation, staff are permitted to obtain such goods and services as are necessary to respond to the emergency. If the purchase amount exceeds $50,000.00, the Director must notify the
Treasurer and CAO and the Director shall submit a report of the incident to the appropriate
Committee and Council at the earliest possible time.
Discussion: Staff received initial indications of problems in the Civic Complex sanitary plumbing systems in the evening on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. Staff began investigating immediately and soon discovered that sewage was backing up in the piping systems. This required early closure of the Pickering Public Library Central Branch, as all washrooms were immediately forced out of service. Minor flooding also occurred in the underground parking
garage but was contained to a single area near the loading dock.
The Civic Complex remained closed for a further three days as progressively more invasive investigations were undertaken to confirm the precise nature and location of the problem. Bird Infrastructure, as one of the City’s standing plumbing service contractors, was involved from
the onset, and gradually ramped up resources progressively to meet demand as the scale of
the problem became increasingly apparent.
By Thursday, December 4, 2025, it was determined that a break or blockage had occurred near the point where the main sanitary drain line connected to the sanitary sewer running under The Esplanade South. Locates were obtained to ensure that all work proceeded safely. Excavations began immediately thereafter. The precise location of the blockage was found and
cleared with the assistance of Durham Region Works crews. Durham Region’s involvement became mandatory once it was confirmed that the blockage had occurred at or just beyond the municipal property line. City staff are having discussions with Durham Region staff to
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determine responsibility for the blockage. Fortunately, the blockage was cleared and there was no evidence of damage to the pipes, which was later verified by camera inspection as a
precaution.
The Civic Complex and Central Library Branch remained closed on Friday, December 5, 2025, to ensure thorough cleaning and decontamination of the building. The Central Library Branch resumed operations on the following day, and City Hall re-opened on the following Monday. Other affected systems, such as sump pits, pumps and elevators were subsequently reviewed and serviced as required to ensure that operations were promptly and fully restored.
In addition to resolving the specific blockage that resulted in this situation, as part of the repair, staff were able to locate and expose two sets of manholes that had been concealed over time. This proved crucial for providing the access required to affect the repairs. Subsequent review of aerial photographs confirmed that both sets of manholes had been concealed since at least
2005, and possibly beyond. Existing landscaping around both manholes will be regraded to
ensure that they remain accessible in the future, helping to avoid such incidents and their related impacts.
Costs incurred and included in this report include labour, material and equipment rental fees incurred by Bird Infrastructure for all exploratory and repair activities required to identify the underlying problem and assist with the completion of corrective actions. Costs include
premiums for after-hours and emergency work, including maintaining required resources on site and on standby for immediate response at each stage of the repair.
As per Purchasing Policy, Section 12.01, staff are notifying Council of the emergency repair work completed by Bird Infrastructure in the amount of $79,699.00 (HST included). The total
net project cost inclusive of contingency is estimated at $71,771.00 (net HST).
Attachment: None.
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By:
Origiginal Signed By Original Signed By
Vince Plouffe, OAA, MRAIC Cathy Bazinet, CPPB, NIGP-CPP
Division Head, Facilities Management Manager, Procurement & Construction
Original Signed By
Laura Gibbs, MBA, MSc. Director, Community Services
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Approved/Endorsed By:
Original Signed By
Stan Karwowski, MBA, CPA, CMA
Director, Finance & Treasurer
LG:vp
Recommended for the consideration
of Pickering City Council
Original Signed By
Marisa Carpino, M.A. Chief Administrative Officer