Additional information

After careful assessment, it was determined that there are trees within the project limits that need to be removed for health reasons or due to construction conflicts. Trees within the project limits were inspected by a professional arborist from the project team to determine their health condition, review conflicts with construction, and develop a tree protection plan. A total of 30 trees were assessed within the project limits, plus a vegetation unit located at the Second Street bridge. Anticipated tree removals are listed below and are subject to change, noting some trees have been identified for removal for health reasons while others are due to construction conflicts. More information will be available at the project update meeting. Tree size has been grouped into two categories: small trees with a diameter less than 12 inches / 30 cm and large trees with a diameter greater than 12 inches / 30 cm.

• Removal is required for one small tree located at the west side of the Second Street bridge due to poor health.
• Removal is required for one large tree located at 459 Second Street due to a construction conflict with a new sanitary PDC. 
• Removal is required for the vegetation unit located at the east side of the Second Street bridge due to a construction conflict with the new municipal sanitary sewer crossing.

Each year, the City of London plants approximately 5,000 trees to help mitigate the efforts of climate change, provide shade and lower temperatures reducing energy costs at homes. Trees also help absorb heavy rainfall and reduce stormwater flows. 

Where applicable, the City will be replacing the public portion of the existing individual water services from the watermain up to the property line as part of this project, at no cost to you. The water service is the pipe that brings water into your home. The public portion of the water service runs from the public watermain to the property line in front of your home, and the private portion runs from the property line to the water meter inside your home. 

Some of the properties on your street may have water services made of galvanized iron, which can corrode over time and restrict water flow. Other properties may have water services made of lead. For information on the health risks associated with lead, please visit the Middlesex-London Health Unit (healthunit.com/environment-lead) website. If you want to know whether you have a lead water service pipe, please contact 519-661-4739 or leadtesting@london.ca. If you have a lead water service pipe, the portion of water service from the property line to your house is your responsibility. A licensed plumbing contractor is required to complete lead pipe replacement. 

If you choose to hire a contractor to replace the private portion of the lead water service on your property, you may be eligible to have your payments spread out over 10 years under the City's Lead Service Replacement Loan Program. Please contact 519-661-CITY (2489) Ext. 7503, or skoshows@london.ca for additional program details.

Electrical grounding

Water service pipes were often used to ground electrical systems, but connections can deteriorate over time and pose a serious safety risk. It is the owner's responsibility to ensure the grounding system is adequate. This may be a good time for you to hire an electrician, at your cost, to check the condition of your building’s electrical ground. 

Sanitary private drain connections (PDC)

The sanitary private drain connection (PDC) is the pipe that carries sanitary flow from your property to the City of London’s sanitary sewer system. Where applicable the existing sanitary PDCs will be renewed from the sanitary sewer main to a point approximately two meters behind the road curb through this project. This existing sanitary PDC renewal is at no cost to you.

Storm private drain connections (PDC)

The storm private drain connection (PDC) is the pipe that carries water discharged from the sump pump or drain on your property to the City’s storm sewer system. Where applicable the existing storm PDCs will be renewed from the storm sewer main to a point approximately two meters behind the road curb through this project. This existing storm PDC renewal is at no cost to you.

Basement flooding

The City of London’s Basement Flooding Grant Program (london.ca/BFGP) is designed to provide financial assistance to property owners to disconnect their weeping tiles from the City’s sewer systems and to install a sump pit, sump pump and backwater valve. By doing this, you may decrease risk of basement flooding on your property

The City has evaluated how pedestrians, motorists, cyclists and transit users will be impacted by the construction of this project. We have determined that the project will consist of a full road closure of Leonard Street, from Burdick Place to Second Street (local traffic only), full road closure of Second Street, from Leonard Street to north side of Pottersburg Creek (local traffic only), and intermittent sidewalk closures. Access to local businesses, and residences will be maintained. A Construction Notice will be issued two weeks before construction starts with additional information.

Access to the parking lot at 459 Second Street will be maintained during construction. Access to the parking lot will be necessary from the north during the closure of Second Street.