Drilling under Lane Creek resumes for next four to five weeks

UPDATE APRIL 22: Tunnelling operations under Lane Creek in Wellington have resumed as the municipality has taken action to prevent sediment release during drilling.

A media update Tuesday states the project team worked with the Ministry of the Environment’s Spills Action Team, and Quinte Conservation, since halting operations on April 16 when silt in the creek was reported.

“In response to the incident, coffer dams have been installed along the western banks of the creek,” the update states. “This measure along with continued adherence to erosion and sediment control plans and permitting will limit the risk of any future release of sediment into the watercourse during tunneling operations.”

Tunneling operations, which are anticipated to continue for the next four to five weeks, are required for the installation of the new water and sanitary trunk mains.

If you have an issue or concern, contact Chris Timpson, Project Manager, County of Prince Edward, at 613.476.2148 extension 2035 or email ctimpson@pecounty.on.ca

County temporarily halts drilling under Lane Creek in Wellington

The County and its contractor have temporarily ceased boring operations under Lane Creek, in Welllington.

The Spills Action Centre contacted the municipality about a possible spill into Lane Creek on Wednesday, April 16 as a result of boring operations, said Mark Kerr, the County’s communications supervisor. The work along the Millennium Trail is part of the Wellington trunk watermain project.

“Drilling was halted immediately while an investigation into the incident took place,” he said. “The municipality’s consultant determined the drill was hitting pieces of old buried steel and causing the pressure and vibrations to increase.

“This pressure increase disturbed the silt in the creek bed and possibly caused a “frac-out,” which is when drilling fluid is released through fractured or weakened areas. This event was not caused by dewatering and was not a spill of any lubricants or chemicals.

“The tunneling operations were stopped and the contractor is working on containing the disturbed silt.”

Kerr reports the contractor and the municipality’s project team are working with the Ministry of the Environment’s Spills Action Team to determine the next steps.

Drilling under Lane Creek is required for the installation of the new water and sanitary trunk mains. The municipality and its contractor received all necessary approvals from Quinte Conservation before beginning the boring operations.

If you have an issue or concern, contact Chris Timpson, Project Manager, County of Prince Edward, at 613.476.2148 extension 2035 or email ctimpson@pecounty.on.ca

Lane Creek shown in a Quinte Conservation Lane Creek flood plain mapping report from 2022.