Chris Lierman says Warwick could have between 1,200 and 1,400 more residents if all the subdivisions which are being proposed are built. That means there will have to be an upgrade to some of the sewage system.

And that could cost about $3.6 million.

Lierman from Spriet Associates has been working on the township’s sewer system for decades and he told council Monday the growth is unlike anything he has seen in Warwick before.

“The existing drainage area that enters the existing (Warwick) sewer system is approximately 116 hectares. The proposed drainage area that we have in this report is approximately 260 hectares so it’s more than doubled,” he says.

“I’ll be honest, the growth rate we’re seeing right now, or at least the interest shown, doesn’t compare to what I’ve seen in the past decade at all,” Lierman said. “There hasn’t truly been too much growth there, per se. And we’re looking at three or four subdivisions right now that could account for, you know, 1,200 to 1,400 people… so we’re looking at potential expansion that truly hasn’t been seen here, I would suggest in at least a decade.”

Lierman says the current system is able to handle much of the growth. When the sewage lagoons were built, the council of the day approved a build which would allow for expansion of Watford.

And Lierman says the sewer system appears to be in good shape.

“The existing pump station has excess capacity right now to clearly handle all existing flows or analysis has shown that it does have the capacity to handle a significant portion of the proposed flows as well,” says Lierman.

“We believe the existing sewage lagoons are essentially running at 50 per cent capacity. So there is ample ability there to accept increased flows as well.”

He did say a number of the pipes have calcium build up and need to be cleaned out.
That work is pegged at about $46,000.

He suggested there are two pipelines which need work sooner rather than later which would cost about $814,000.

But Lierman says the rest of the work depends on how fast the houses go up.
“To say how much needs to go and where that would be is definitely subject to some further discussions with Warwick personnel.”

The consultant added the cost of the work would be lower if it was done when roads need to be reconstructed.

Lierman also suggested if the growth materializes, the report should be reviewed to make sure there is still capacity for the new homes. That could happen every five years.