Kitchener Emergency Repair Receives OPWA Award

By Trenchless Technology Canada Staff May 19, 2026

At the May 13 Ontario Public Works Association (OPWA) Awards Luncheon Capital Infrastructure Group, Andrews.Engineer, J. Weber Contracting Ltd. and the City of Kitchener received the Emergency Construction / Repair Award. This award was for projects valued between $10 million and $50 million.

The recognition was for the Ottawa Street Trunk Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation project in Kitchener.

The Ottawa Street trunk sanitary sewer failure represented a critical municipal infrastructure emergency requiring rapid response, complex bypass management, and long-term rehabilitation planning. Initial reports of surcharging manholes and recurring flow disruptions ultimately led to the discovery of a fully collapsed section. This affected a 675 mm concrete trunk sanitary sewer servicing approximately 20 percent of the City’s sanitary flow.

In response, the City of Kitchener coordinated an immediate emergency repair effort involving extensive bypass pumping operations. Approximately 100 L/s of flow from four pumping stations was diverted through a temporary bypass system. Meanwhile, additional flows from a fifth station were managed by tanker hauling. Despite challenging winter conditions, crews successfully replaced the collapsed 24-metre section within three days. As a result, Ottawa Street reopened approximately 10 days after repairs commenced.

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Subsequent inspections identified widespread corrosion across 28 sections of sanitary sewer, with many segments exhibiting severe structural deterioration associated with elevated hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) levels. These findings prompted the implementation of a major rehabilitation program. The program was completed in 2025 and included approximately 1,700 metres of CIPP lining and repairs to 24 maintenance holes.

In a news release promoting the award, Capital Infrastructure Group extended its appreciation to the City of Kitchener for its trust, leadership, and collaboration throughout the project. The company also thanked its project partner Andrew Engineering for its technical expertise and support.

SOURCE – Capital Infrastructure Group

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