ELORA – Replacement could be on the horizon for another stretch of concrete sewer pipe on Metcalfe Street following costly emergency repairs last November.
In response to a question from Coun. Jennifer Adams about the potential for corrosive pipe bacteria elsewhere in the township's sanitary sewer line, managing director of infrastructure services Colin Baker said there is "some concern" about a remaining length of pipe on Metcalfe Street during a council meeting Monday evening.
Metcalfe Street was closed Nov. 15 2023 between Church Street and James Street and Church Street and Mall Street after township staff discovered 76-metres of sanitary sewer needed to be replaced immediately as they were in an "advanced state of deterioration" and posed "risk to public health and safety."
"It's not an uncommon thing (for this bacteria to develop) where there are high concentrations of sulphite gas reacting in that sewer environment," said Baker, during the meeting. "So we're confident we've dealt with the urgent issues and we can deal with the rest through our capital program."
As the old pipes likely failed prematurely because of a phenomenon caused by bacteria coating the pipe's interior, Baker said the replaced sections "seem to be more resilient to what's happening" because they're made of a different type of pipe material.
According to Baker, the township's 10-year capital forecast will address funding to replace the remaining stretch of pipe.
The issue will return to council during budget time.
Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.
