Construction is set to begin in mid-July on a stormwater infrastructure upgrade in Clarington that aims to improve water quality in Bowmanville Creek, strengthen environmental protection and support future residential growth in the Ontario community of more than 113,500 residents.
The Hetherington Drive Stormwater Outlet Improvement Project, located within the Bowmanville Valley Conservation Area, will modernize a stormwater outlet originally built in 1972. The project received $509,118 from Ontario’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, helping to cover project costs.
The work is designed to improve how stormwater runoff is treated before it enters Bowmanville Creek, reducing pollutants and protecting aquatic habitat as development continues in the surrounding area.
“Upgrading the stormwater system means cleaner water flowing into the Bowmanville Creek,” said Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster in a statement. “That’s awesome news for wildlife, anglers, and everyone who loves visiting Bowmanville Valley. Clarington is truly blessed with some of the most beautiful green spaces in the GTA and we appreciate the Ontario government’s support in protecting that. Improving the stormwater outlet is an environmentally responsible way to better manage runoff in this growing neighbourhood.”
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The project includes the installation of a new oil grit separator to capture contaminants such as oil, sediment and debris before stormwater is discharged. The existing outlet swale will also be upgraded to slow runoff, improve natural filtration and further reduce pollutants entering the creek.
Alongside the stormwater improvements, the Region of Durham will relocate approximately 20 metres of watermain along Hetherington Drive to help ensure the long-term reliability and stability of the municipal water system.
The municipality says the combined infrastructure improvements will enhance stormwater management while supporting future housing development and helping protect the ecological health of the Bowmanville Valley Conservation Area.
During construction, access to the Bowmanville Valley Trail and Hetherington Drive will be maintained wherever possible.
The trail will be open for most of the construction period, with brief daytime closures during material deliveries or restoration. It will be reopened and cleared at the end of each workday.
