Construction set to begin on Hetherington Stormwater Outlet Improvements

In mid-July, construction is set to begin on the Hetherington Drive Stormwater Outlet Improvement Project, a significant upgrade within the Bowmanville Valley Conservation Area that will enhance stormwater management, protect Bowmanville Creek and support future growth in the community.  

The project was made possible in part through the Ontario government’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (MHIP-HEWSF), which provided $509,118 to help cover project costs. 

“Investing in local infrastructure is part of our government’s plan to protect Ontario, drive growth, create jobs and strengthen communities,” said Todd McCarthy, Ontario’s Acting Minister of Infrastructure and MPP for Durham. “This stormwater improvement project is part of our government’s nearly $4 billion investment in the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP), which is helping enable more than 1,000 homes in the community while keeping Bowmanville Creek clean for local residents.”  

"With construction now underway, these stormwater improvements will support the Municipality of Clarington's continued growth,” said David Piccini, MPP for Northumberland-Peterborough South. “Our government is proud to support infrastructure projects that enable new housing, while ensuring strong environmental protections are in place."

“Upgrading the stormwater system means cleaner water flowing into the Bowmanville Creek. 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,” said Adrian Foster, Mayor of Clarington. 

The Municipality of Clarington received funding under the Ontario government’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (MHIP-HEWSF) to upgrade and improve the Hetherington Drive Stormwater Outlet in the Bowmanville Creek Valley. (Pictured left to right from initial funding announcement): Lloyd Rang, Councillor for Ward 2, Willie Woo, Regional Councillor for Wards 3 and 4, Adrian Foster, Mayor of Clarington, Todd McCarthy, Member of Provincial Parliament for Durham, David Piccini, Member of Provincial Parliament for Northumerland-Peterborough South, Sami Elhajjeh, Councillor for Ward 1, Corinna Traill, Councillor for Ward 3, and Margaret Zwart, Councillor for Ward 4.

Originally constructed in 1972, the stormwater outlet will undergo extensive upgrades to improve water quality and local ecosystem health. Key improvements will include: 

• Installation of a new oil grit separator to filter pollutants such as oil, grit and debris.  
• Enhancements to the existing outlet swale to slow stormwater flow, improve natural filtration and reduce contaminants before water is released into Bowmanville Creek.  

In addition to the stormwater upgrades, the Region of Durham also plans to relocate approximately 20 metres of watermain along Hetherington Drive to ensure long-term stability within the water system. 

Trail and Traffic Impacts 

To minimize disruption during construction, the Municipality will maintain access for residents and trail users wherever possible: 

• The Bowmanville Valley Trail will remain open for most of the construction period, with only brief daytime closures for specific activities such as material deliveries or restoration. Any closures will total no more than five working days, with the trail reopened and cleared at the end of each workday.  
• Hetherington Drive, east of Lawrence Crescent, may be temporarily closed to through-traffic but will remain open to local traffic, with access to homes maintained except for short periods when work occurs directly in front of a driveway or walkway.  
• Garbage and recycling collection, deliveries and pedestrian access will continue without interruption. 

More information is available at www.clarington.net/HetheringtonStormwaterProject.