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Road, Sewer and Watermain
The Construction Section is responsible for construction supervision, inspection services, and contract management for road, sewer and watermain construction projects within the City of Hamilton.
If you live near or travel through an area in Hamilton which is under construction, we want to hear from you. Your opinion and suggestions provide important feedback in our continuous effort to deliver City services in an affordable, effective and efficient way.
To learn more about construction in your community or construction in a specific location, view Construction Mapping.
Resident Information
Lining in your area
Sod
Driveway Repairs
Watermain By-Pass
Please Be Aware
| You may experience odours (smells like plastic or glue) from the new sewer liner being installed on your street. If you can smell this odour it is the result of faulty plumbing in the home. Over time the odours will diminish as the liner is completed. If you smell odours during or after the work open all windows (where possible) and please call the Insituform® or City of Hamilton representative so they may assist you with the problem. |
Cause Of The Odour
| The odours reaching your home may be the result of a dry or broken plumbing wastewater trap in the home. The purpose of the wastewater plumbing trap is to maintain a water barrier in the pipes to prevent all sewer odour from entering the home. In rarely used drains (such as floor drains), the water in the trap can evaporate over time resulting in no water barrier to prevent the odours from entering the home. |
Possible Solution
| A suggestion may be to pour water (about a gallon) down all floor drains or rarely used drains (sinks, tubs, showers etc) to ensure that a water barrier is maintained in the trap. If this does not work, then it is very likely that you have a trap that requires repair. A temporary solution is to cover the suspect drains with a plastic bag, place bag of water over any open floor drains in the home, to temporarily stop or reduce odours coming from the drains. A dry or faulty trap will allow sewer odours to enter the home from time to time depending on the atmospheric conditions. |
Health Concerns
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If the plumbing is not working correctly, you may be experiencing odours, which may be sewer gases infiltrating your home. Some residents with asthma or respiratory conditions could experience discomfort and may not wish to be present. Upon request, a complete set of Material Safety Data Sheets is available from the City of Hamilton. For health reasons, it is suggested that the homeowner make the necessary repairs to these traps. |
What Can I Expect To See
The first sign of works to come will be the arrival of survey crews. These crews will be establishing the location of the property line and any stakes or paint lines must be left where they are placed to ensure the accuracy of the works to follow. Shortly following this a “clean out” will be installed. This is a temporary access point that will be used to facilitate the cleaning of the pipe prior to lining. This access will be installed using vacuum excavation to minimize the disruption to your property. The stack will stand approximately 1.5’ above the ground. There will be a cap placed on the top of a clean out for safety reasons. If the private drain is located under your driveway/walkway the contractor will place a steel plate over the clean out until temporary asphalt is placed to ensure safe access to your driveway/walkway.
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When Lining Occurs
| The actual lining can now occur. You will receive a notice one week before the lining is to be performed. The day of the lining, a Liqui-Force representative will personally knock on your door to let you know they are there and that your service will be temporarily interrupted (2 hours). Please be aware that you may experience odours (smells like plastic or glue) from the new sewer liner being installed in your private drain. Over time the odours will diminish as the liner is completed. If you smell odours, during or after the work, open all windows (where possible) and please call the Liqui-Force or City of Hamilton representative so they may assist you with the problem. |
Cause Of The Odour
| The odours reaching your home may be the result of a dry or broken plumbing wastewater trap in the home. The purpose of the wastewater plumbing trap is to maintain a water barrier in the pipes to prevent all sewer odour from entering the home. In rarely used drains (such as floor drains), the water in the trap can evaporate over time resulting in no water barrier to prevent the odours from entering the home. |
Possible Solution
| A suggestion may be to pour water (about a gallon) down all floor drains or rarely used drains (sinks, tubs, showers etc) to ensure that a water barrier is maintained in the trap. If this does not work, then it is very likely that you have a trap that requires repair. A temporary solution is to cover the suspect drains with a plastic bag, place bag of water over any open floor drains in the home, to temporarily stop or reduce odours coming from the drains. A dry or faulty trap will allow sewer odours to enter the home from time to time depending on the atmospheric conditions. |
Finishing Up
| Once the liner has been installed the restorations will start. The “clean out” will be buried, all stakes will be removed and your property will be returned to the condition it was found. Please have patience with us during construction as it is an ongoing process and workers may not always be present at your location. |
New Services
| If you are planning to upgrade any underground services or if you require new services, please arrange with a private contractor to have this work completed prior to the reconstruction of the roadway. For new water or sewer services, please call the Building Department at (905)546-2424, ext. 2720 to make an application. In addition, please notify our Department so that arrangements can be made to co-ordinate with our Contractor’s schedule. |
Residential Approaches
| If you wish to widen your existing driveway approach (ramp) or if you do not have an existing approach (ramp) and would like to inquire about the possibility of obtaining one please contact the Hamilton Municipal Parking System at (905)546-2424 ext. 4578. |
Commercial Approaches
| If you wish to widen your existing entrance or if you do not have an existing entrance and would like to install one, please contact the Traffic Engineering Technologist at (905)546-2424 ext. 5675 or 5925. |
Required Documents
| In order to finalize the required documents, arrangements must be made prior to the construction of the curb and sidewalk. |
Automated Sprinkler Systems
| In an effort to minimize damage, the homeowner/business is requested to advise the City and contractor of any underground automated sprinkler systems that may be affected by construction. |
Water Disruption
| Due to the nature of the proposed work, temporary disruption of water service should be anticipated. The City will provide 48 hours advance notification of any scheduled watermain shutdown. Occasionally, emergency watermain shutdowns can occur. |
Driveway Access
| Driveway access may be restricted during localized construction activity. However, after the reconstruction of your driveway approach (ramp), access will not be available for approximately five days to allow the concrete to harden and to attain its strength. |
Restoring Disturbances
| All City boulevards (sod, asphalt, concrete, etc.) and private areas (driveways, walkways, curbs, retaining walls, etc.) disturbed by the construction will be restored to a condition equal or better than pre-construction condition. |
Caring For Your New Lawn
| To ensure your new lawn stays green, watering is very important for the first week. Setting up a sprinkler for a maximum of one hour in a given area will be sufficient. Please ensure that all corners and edges of the lawn are not missed. In the second week, taper off to every other day, or less, so long as you see the lawn is maintaining its green colour. Cutting height should not be less than two inches (50mm) for the first season. Please note that it is important to control weeds and fertilize the newly sodded areas as part of your regular lawn care maintenance, in addition to your regular watering regiment. |
Garbage And Recycling
| Garbage should be placed at the curb side on your regular pick-up day. Please print your address (in waterproof marker) on all garbage/recycling containers. |
Other Inquiries
| For other enquiries please refer to the contact numbers below:
• Parking Operations: (905) 540-6000
• Traffic Operations: (905) 546-2424 x4600
• Garbage/Recycling Collections: (905) 546-2489 (City)
• HSR Information Line: (905) 527-4441 |
Temporary Water Supply
| A temporary bypass watermain will be installed to limit water service interruption during construction. It will be necessary to access your water meter in your home for both the installation and the disconnection of the by pass. A scheduled appointment to access your water meter may be required. City policy requires customer information to be obtained in order for the Meter Department to track service interruption. Please keep in mind that water consumption will be adjusted during the next actual billing period. |
Your Water During The Construction Period
| During the construction period, the existing water main and your water service will be temporarily by-passed. Your home will receive water through an above ground temporary PVC piping network which will be installed along the curb or ditch line on your street. A blue hose will be connected to your home with a “Y” connector via the outside hose tap (see diagram below). The “Y” connector allows you to receive water in your home as well as for outside use. |
Interruption In Water Service
At times during this process, the contractor will have to turn off the water supply to your home. You will be notified in advance of any scheduled interruption in service. However, in the event of an unanticipated emergency situation i.e. a watermain break, advance notification will not be possible. As a result of these interruptions you experience some “dirty water” or air in the system. To solve these
issues, simply open the cold water taps, beginning in the basement, and allow each to run for several minutes until the water clears. |
Disinfection Of Watermain
| Please note that the temporary water supply network and the new watermain will be disinfected prior to hook up to your home in accordance with City of Hamilton Procedures for “Disinfection of Watermain”. |
Water Treatment Systems
| We recommend you temporarily disconnect any water treatment system (softeners, filters, etc…), water cooled air conditioners or any similar plumbing fixtures as their efficiency may be permanently affected due to construction. Accordingly, the City will not entertain costs for any damages to this type of internal water supply fixtures. Automatic lawn sprinkler systems may not operate properly while the work is taking place therefore manual watering may be necessary. |
Caring For Your New Lawn
| To ensure your new lawn stays green, watering is very important for the first week. Setting up a sprinkler for a maximum of one hour in a given area will be sufficient. Please ensure that all corners and edges of the lawn are not missed. In the second week, taper off to every other day, or less, so long as you see the lawn is maintaining its green colour. Cutting height should not be less than two inches (50mm) for the first season. Please note that it is important to control weeds and fertilize the newly sodded areas as part of your regular lawn care maintenance, in addition to your regular watering regiment. |
Following Up
| Once the sod has been laid after a period of 30 days our on-site inspector will confirm that all sod has been accepted by the City of Hamilton and you will receive a door knocker with the contents shown below. |
Driveway Repairs
| Driveway repairs (contents to come including modified driveway release form). |
Driveway Approaches Repairs
| Driveway/Approaches repairs (contents to come). |
Water Is Warmer Than Usual
| The watermain is above ground, this could allow the sun to warm up the water in the pipe. |
No Water In The House
| If it is not a scheduled water shutdown, make sure you have not turned the wrong lever outside. |
Water Heater
| Your water heater might be broken, our construction in no way affects your water heater. |
Water Softeners
Underground Sprinkler Systems
| Notify the City that you have one and check with supplier/installer/maintenance for solutions. |
Bypass Leaking
| Call City of Hamilton construction technician to confirm as in some locations a bleeder is needed to facilitate safe drinking water. (more contents to come) |
Driveway Ramps Over Bypass
| Call the City of Hamilton (more contents to come) |
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Contact Information
City of Hamilton
Construction Services
77 James Street North, Suite 320
Hamilton, Ontario L8R 2K3
905-546-4313
constructionservices@hamilton.ca
Emergency Water Shutdown
-None at this time
Scheduled Water Shutdown
-None at this time
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