Innovative stacked underground and surface-storage facility solves chronic basement flooding, revitalizing a popular downtown park
For many years, residents of Sandy Hill were plagued with basement flooding due to combined sewer backups and poor surface drainage in low-lying areas of the downtown Ottawa community. Looking to remedy the situation, the City of Ottawa engaged us to help.
Recognizing that a park in the community, Sandy Hill Park, could also work to manage flooding, we designed and integrated an innovative stacked storage facility. This consists of a 12,500-cubic-metre (441,433- cubic-foot) underground sewage storage tank—the size of six Olympic swimming pools—topped with a stormwater pond to hold excess surface flows in very rare flood events. Imperceptible to the public, the underground tank provides the first line of defense when the sewer system becomes overloaded. For even larger flood events, the pond provides for the safe management of excess stormwater that cannot drain into the pipes.
Our solution integrates both green and traditional gray infrastructure to provide the necessary storage while revitalizing a highly valued community park. The new park incorporates an improved layout, modernized facilities, and comfortable outdoor places with a playing area and ice rink.
The residents of the Sandy Hill community have always enjoyed Sandy Hill Park. But now they have one more reason to love it—it’s saving their homes from repeated flooding.
At a Glance
- Offices
- Client
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- City of Ottawa
- Partners
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- IBI Group
- Golder Associates
- Architect
- Civitas Architecture
- Award
- American Public Works Association Project of the Year Award, Environment ($5-$25 million) 2010
- Award
- City of Ottawa Urban Design Award of Merit, Public Spaces and Civic Spaces 2009
- Award
- Consulting Engineers of Ontario Award of Merit 2010
Adrien Comeau, Vice President, Water, Wet Weather Practice Leader, Water Delivery Group
Our projects improve the lives of residents in communities across North America—that’s why I became an engineer.
James Ricker, Associate, Water
My primary goal is to provide our clients with excellent designs for water that meet their needs and respect their budgetary constraints.
Bernadette Callahan, Senior Associate, Green Infrastructure Sector Leader, Water
Green infrastructure supports urban resilience. Now, more than ever, cities will need to be resilient.
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