Ramara Sewer Servicing Project

 The project will include:

• Installation of a new low-pressure sanitary sewer system on Ridge Avenue, Lone Birch Trail and Maple Trail and a portion of pipe along Simcoe Road.
• Sanitary sewer service laterals will be installed to the property line of each property 
• Roadworks, including base and surface course asphalt; and
• Restoration of driveways and boulevards to pre-construction conditions in the areas disturbed by the work.

Project Status:

The Township has tendered and awarded the work to K.J Excavating, who are scheduled to mobilize and commence work following Labour Day. Details regarding construction sequencing and the starting location of the works will be shared in a future update. The majority of construction is expected to be completed by the end of November 2025.

Please note this schedule is subject to change based on several factors including inclement weather, unforeseen conditions or additional work required. Tatham Engineering and the Township of Ramara will endeavor to keep residents aware of major schedule changes, should they arise.

While streets will remain open to local traffic and emergency vehicles, lane closures, single-lane alternating traffic, and temporary driveway access restrictions can be expected at times.  Traffic control staff and signage will be in place to guide vehicle safely through the work zones.

Communications:

The Township is committed to keeping residents informed as we move forward carefully and responsibly with this important community infrastructure project.

Notice - Construction Update - Issued September 29, 2025

Notice - Construction Update - Issued September 15, 2025

Information Package - Issued July 25, 2025

Notice - Construction Update - Issued August 21, 2025

News Release - Issued August 22, 2025

Project Contacts:

K.J Excavating has entered into a contract with the Township of Ramara to complete the work and Tatham Engineering will be administering the contract. If you have any questions regarding the construction, please call Tatham Engineering during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Damages should be reported to Tatham Engineering as soon as possible. If you have any questions or concerns of a general nature, please contact the Township of Ramara.

Township of Ramara

Dyana Marks

Compliance Manager

(705) 484-5374 x285

DMarks@ramara.ca

Tatham Engineering Limited

Jessica Stapleton, P.Eng.

Engineer, Project Manager

(705) 325-1753 x2263

jstapleton@tathameng.com 

The location of the work is as follows:

Ridge Avenue from The Steps to Lake Avenue, Lone Birch Trail from Simcoe Road to the end, Maple Trail from Lone Birch Trail to Lakeshore Drive, and Simcoe Road from Lone Birch Trail to Lake Avenue.

It is the installation of a low‑pressure sanitary sewer system on Ridge Avenue, Lone Birch Trail and Maple Trail to replace aging septic systems and holding tanks and support long‑term growth. This project impacts approximately 80 properties (see project location map). 

Tender prices for the watermain extension along Lakeshore Drive came in $2.17 million over budget, and the existing water treatment plant should be improved ahead of including additional demand or fire‑flow requirements. Delaying this water project avoids overspending and lets the Township plan a better-coordinated upgrade at a later time.

Many of the existing septic systems and holding tanks in the project area are more than 50 years old. As these systems continue to age, the risk of failure increases significantly. Failing systems pose a risk to Lake Simcoe, local groundwater supplies, and overall public health.

This area has been identified as a priority for sewer servicing in the Township's Sanitary Sewer Master Servicing Plan since 2004, and environmental concerns related to on-site sewage disposal systems were first raised as far back as 1998.  

By moving forward with this project now, the Township is taking proactive steps to prevent contamination issues, support long-term community growth, and modernize critical infrastructure.  The new sewer system will ensure reliable wastewater management for residents today and for future generations.

The following reports regarding the sewer servicing project have been introduced and discussed:

Committee of the Whole Meeting - July 11, 2022 with Council Resolution CW.163.22

 In response to Staff Report # ID-21-22, Council discussed the potential extension of water services along Lakeshore Drive, from Simcoe Road to Concession Road 3. Following deliberation, Council resolved to retain the Township’s consulting engineers to prepare a cost estimate for the proposed watermain extension. Additionally, the engineers were tasked with providing cost estimates for concurrent sewer servicing, which would include Ridge Avenue, Lone Birch Trail, and Maple Trail.

Committee of the Whole Meeting - September 12, 2022 with Council Resolution CW.180.22 and CW.181.22

 Staff Report # ID-35-22 outlines the preliminary cost estimates supporting the motion passed by Council at the July 11, 2022 meeting. Council approved Staff to move forward with completing the design for the water and sewer servicing project in 2023, with construction scheduled for 2024. As part of this initiative, Council also directed Staff to conduct a survey of all affected residents to gather input.

Committee of the Whole Meeting - December 12, 2022 with Council Resolution CW.249.22

 Staff Report # ID-38-22 presents the results of a letter sent to affected property owners, requesting their response regarding support or objection to proposed municipal servicing. The survey results include feedback on water and sanitary sewer services along Lakeshore Drive (from Simcoe Road to Concession Road 3), sanitary sewer services on Ridge Avenue, Lone Birch Trail, and Maple Trail, as well as water service only on Concession Road 3.  Council received the report for information and directed Staff to prepare a follow-up report that includes updated cost estimates, potential grant opportunities, and the original figures for sewer and water servicing along Concession Road 3, Ridge Avenue, Lone Birch Trail, and Maple Avenue.

Committee of the Whole Meeting - January 16, 2023 with Council Resolution CW.20.23

 The purpose of Staff Report # ID-02-23 follows up with discussions that took place in 2022 regarding this project. Survey results are also presented in this report for water and sanitary services on Lakeshore Drive and sanitary sewer services on Ridge Avenue, Lone Birch Trail and Maple Avenue. Council approved the report and authorized staff to complete the design and tendering process for the low pressure sanitary sewer system on Ridge Avenue, Lone Birch Trail and Maple Avenue with connection to Simcoe Road, and the watermain extension on Lakeshore Drive.

Committee of the Whole Meeting - May 26, 2025 with Council Resolution CW.57.25

 Staff Report #ID-18-25 presents the results of the tender that was advertised on March 14, 2025, through the Bids and Tenders online platform. This local improvement project (user funded) was awarded to K.J. Excavating Inc. by Ramara Council on June 2, 2025.  

Eighty‑two (82) properties will connect, increasing the system user base by roughly 7%.  Additional users will help to distribute the costs of operating the system.  

Connecting to the municipal sanitary system offers several important advantages for individual property owners including: 

• No more pumping or maintaining aging on-site treatment systems (septic systems or holding tanks). 

• Eliminates the risk of costly emergency repairs or full septic system replacements (which can range from $30,000–$60,000). 

• Real estate professionals consistently rate municipal services as a key factor in property value.
• Municipal servicing supports additions, renovations, or new construction that may not be permitted on lots with outdated or undersized septic systems. 

• Helps property owners maximize the value and usability of their land. 

• Removes the risk of septic or holding tank leakage near drinking water sources or Lake Simcoe. 

• Supports clean groundwater and aligns with environmental best practices. 

• Professionally managed system operated by the Ontario Clean Water Agency.

• Professional engineers and the Township’s project team has developed conservative cost estimates at approximately $30,000 (lump sum payment) or $55,000 (10-year financing) per property to provide residents with a reliable planning range.  
• This estimate reflects each property owner’s share of the total project cost, including construction, engineering, and built-in contingencies for unknown site conditions. The cost also accounts for borrowing costs and for inflation since the project was first proposed.  
• Final costs will be confirmed once construction is complete and all actual expenses, including construction, engineering, and financing, are finalized.
• As the project progresses, we are committed to keeping residents informed.  

A low‑pressure sanitary sewer that uses individual grinder‑pump units on each property to move wastewater into the municipal main system. 

The grinder pump is a small pumping station that grinds household wastewater and pushes it to the sewer main. 

It will be the responsibility of the property owner to install and maintain the grinder pump as part of your plumbing. The pump needs to meet the specifications that will be provided in the coming months.  It can be purchased through a contractor or plumber, or directly from suppliers. There are no preferred name brands as long as the system is capable of lifting the sewage to the main.

The Township will communicate with property owners the appropriate timeframe and instruction to complete the connection process. This will include the following:

1) Apply for a building permit 

2) Hire a qualified contractor to install the grinder pump and connect to the service at the road.

3) Decommission any existing septic or holding tank.