Alloa Reservoir and Pumping Station

The Alloa Reservoir and Pumping Station is located north of Mayfield Road and west of Creditview Road in the Town of Caledon. The Alloa facility is the final reservoir and pumping station on the western transmission system, fed by the Lorne Park Water Treatment Plant, and was needed to meet municipal water demands for development growth in the City of Brampton, Northwest Development Area (Region Zone 6W and ZW).

The Regional Municipality of Peel retained Burnside for the planning, detailed design, contract administration, and construction inspection for the reservoir and pumping station. The project included the design and construction of a pumping station with an ultimate capacity of 165 ML/d, and the design and construction of a 35 ML, two-celled water reservoir with design provisions for a future expansion to 70ML.

The facility’s electrical supply included twinned 750 kVA transformers, a 5 kV switchgear, 4,160 V feeds to pump starters and 4,160 V‑600/347 V transformers to feed a 600V MCC.  A 2,000-kW diesel generator, provision for top-up chlorination, emergency reservoir overflow pond, and a dedicated administration area with a boardroom and offices were also included in the design.

The facility is also provided with two independent overhead electrical power feeds from Hydro One and Brampton Hydro to secure uninterrupted power supply. The exterior appearance of the facility was designed to blend in with future area development by using a park-like pavilion for inspiration.

The high local groundwater table in the vicinity of the project posed a major challenge during both the design and construction phases, requiring the use of caissons and rock anchors in the administration building design, and a permanent dewatering system to prevent the reservoir from floating.  The construction was also appropriately staged in consideration of the high-water table to maintain construction integrity as the work progressed.

This project was named Project of the Year, Environment Category ($10 Million – $50 Million Division) in 2020 by the Ontario Public Works Association (OPWA).