TOWNSHIP OF ESQUIMALT STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE: September 21, 2026 Report No. EPW-26-011
TO: Council
FROM: Joel Clary, Director of Engineering & Public Works
SUBJECT: Storm Sewer Asset Management Plan
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
That Council:
a) receive the Storm Sewer Asset Management Plan for information;
b) direct staff to continue to request infrastructure funding as part of the annual budget process;
c) direct staff to implement the Storm Sewer Asset Management Plan based on available funding; and
d) direct staff to update the status of the Storm Sewer Asset Management Plan Council Priority Project to complete.
Body
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an asset management plan completed by a consultant to sustainably manage the storm sewer system in the Township. The plan provides a prioritized way to reduce risk to the Township and identifies the increased funding levels needed to do this.
BACKGROUND:
The Township owns, maintains, and operates the municipal storm sewer system, which contains:
• Gravity storm sewer mains = 67km
• Storm sewer service laterals = 3,355
• Catchbasins = 1,628
• Storm sewer manholes = 1,010
In October 2025, the Township awarded a contract to Urban Systems to develop an asset management plan for the Township’s storm sewer network. The purpose of the plan is to build off the previous studies and inspections, and provide a roadmap for the Township to efficiently manage the storm sewer assets. The scope of the project included infrastructure planning, stormwater quality, and operations and maintenance practices.
Since the contract was awarded, staff have worked with the consultant to complete the project. Key work completed included:
• Updating and calibrating the Township's storm sewer hydraulic model
• Reviewing and analyzing storm sewer CCTV inspection records
• Assessing the condition and capacity of the storm sewer network
• Reviewing historical CRD stormwater quality monitoring data
• Reviewing current storm sewer operations and maintenance practices
• Completing a risk assessment and prioritization of storm sewer infrastructure
• Developing a 20-year capital improvement plan and funding strategy for storm sewer assets
The Storm Sewer Asset Management Plan is attached as Attachment 1 and consists of several technical documents and supporting analysis. The Infrastructure Prioritization & Capital Planning Memo summarizes the overall findings and recommendations of the project and is included as the first document in Attachment 1. The consultant will also provide a presentation to Council summarizing the plan, attached as Attachment 2.
ANALYSIS:
As described in Attachment 1 and Attachment 2, the Storm Sewer Asset Management Plan uses a risk-based approach to prioritize renewal of storm sewer infrastructure. The approach evaluates both the likelihood and consequence of asset failure, allowing the Township to focus available funding on the highest-risk assets first.
The assessment found that the Township's storm sewer system is generally performing well from a capacity perspective. Hydraulic modelling identified less than 1 km of storm sewer requiring upgrades due to current or future capacity deficiencies. Future growth anticipated under the Official Community Plan is also not expected to create significant additional capacity issues within the system.
The primary concern identified through the plan is the condition of aging infrastructure. Based largely on CCTV inspection data, approximately 34 km of storm sewer mains are identified as priorities over the next 20 years, representing approximately 50% of the Township's storm sewer network. Nearly all identified priorities are driven by asset condition rather than hydraulic capacity.
The consultant estimates the replacement value of the Township's storm sewer mains at approximately $263 million and identifies a sustainable lifecycle funding level of approximately $3.6 million annually. Current funding levels are substantially below this amount, resulting in a growing backlog of renewal projects and increasing infrastructure risk over time.
The plan also reviewed stormwater quality within the Township using 14 years of CRD monitoring data. Elevated E. coli concentrations were identified as the highest overall risk, along with opportunities to reduce sediment, metals, and other contaminants entering receiving waters. Recommendations include continued investigation of contamination sources, renewal of aging infrastructure, enhanced maintenance activities, and incorporation of stormwater quality improvements into future capital projects where feasible.
In addition to capital renewal needs, the plan identifies opportunities to improve operations and maintenance practices. Current practices are largely reactive, and the consultant recommends a transition toward more proactive maintenance programs, including CCTV inspections, storm sewer flushing, catch basin cleaning, and stormwater quality initiatives.
The Storm Sewer Asset Management Plan represents the most comprehensive assessment of the Township's storm sewer system completed to date. While the exact timing and nature of infrastructure failures cannot be predicted, the plan provides a prioritized approach to managing risk and identifies the funding required to sustainably maintain the system. Staff will utilize the plan to prioritize storm sewer projects within available funding.
Environmental Impact:
The Storm Sewer Asset Management Plan is intended to reduce environmental risk through proactive investment in storm sewer infrastructure and stormwater quality improvements. Failure to maintain storm sewer infrastructure increases the risk of infrastructure failures, water quality impacts, and adverse effects on receiving environments. Implementation of the plan will move the Township toward a more proactive and sustainable approach to stormwater management.
OPTIONS:
1. That Council:
a) receive the Storm Sewer Asset Management Plan for information;
b) direct staff to continue to request infrastructure funding as part of the annual budget process;
c) direct staff to implement the plan based on available funding; and
d) direct staff to update the status of the Storm Sewer Asset Management Plan Council Priority Project to complete.
2. That Council request additional information from staff.
3. That Council provide alternate direction to staff.
COUNCIL PRIORITY:
Good Governance & Organizational Excellence - Storm Sewer Asset Management Plan
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The overall replacement value of the Township's storm sewer mains is estimated to be approximately $263M. The Storm Sewer Asset Management Plan identifies approximately $130M in priority renewal projects over the next 20 years, with many priorities driven by asset condition rather than capacity deficiencies. The significant funding need reflects the current condition of the storm sewer system and the existing backlog of infrastructure renewal projects. Staff recommend continuing to increase infrastructure funding through the annual budget process and seeking external grant opportunities where available.
The plan also identifies an annual sustainable funding target of approximately $3.6M for storm sewer renewals which does not reflect the backlog of priority renewals. This increases the Township's total annual funding gap for major infrastructure to $8M, generally due to more accurate information being available as asset management plans are developed. The Township is currently doing roughly $4M of capital infrastructure work per year, while the target for infrastructure funding is roughly $12M per year. The changes from the initial 2024 FIT Consulting report and the Township’s asset management plans are summarized in the following table.
COMMUNICATIONS/ENGAGEMENT:
The Storm Sewer Asset Management Plan will be posted on the Township’s website and during implementation of the plan, public communications will be undertaken on individual projects, based on the level of impact.
TIMELINES & NEXT STEPS:
Staff will utilize the annual budget process to request resources to implement the Storm Sewer Asset Management Plan and will prioritize projects in the plan with funding available. As asset management is an iterative process, staff will continue to seek opportunities to reduce risk to the Township.
REPORT REVIEWED BY:
1. Ian Irvine, Director of Finance, Reviewed
2. Deb Hopkins, Director of Corporate Services, Reviewed
3. Dan Horan, Chief Administrative Officer, Concurrence
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS:
1. Attachment 1 - Storm Sewer Asset Management Plan
2. Attachment 2 - Consultant’s Presentation