Keeping urban beaches open- A municipal odyssey
Session: 04. - Restoring Hamilton Harbour: Tilting at Windmills or a Possible Dream?
Gavin Norman, City of Hamilton, [email protected]
Tammy Karst-Riddoch, AECOM, [email protected]
Jillian Deman, AECOM, [email protected]
Zahra Parhizgari, AECOM, [email protected]
George Arhonditsis, University of Toronto Scarborough, [email protected]
Alex Neumann, University of Toronto Scarborough, [email protected]
Abstract
This study investigated chronic water quality issues that have resulted in recent increases in the number of beach closures at two public beaches in the City of Hamilton, ON. Despite massive infrastructure program to upgrade the City’s combined sewage overflow system, the public beaches still experience frequent closures due to high E-coli concentrations (attributed to bird activity) and/or toxic harmful algae blooms. A list of options for improvement was developed and classified as (i) alterations to improve water circulation (physical changes or artificial means), (ii) source reduction strategies, and (iii) change of use (beach removal). Options were evaluated through hydrodynamic and water quality modelling (for physical alteration options), cost estimation (for physical alteration and control of sources in the immediate vicinity), and an assessment of environmental impacts and community usage. A phased approach was developed for implementation and a number of selected options (including treatment of cyanobacteria using ultrasound technology, bird control, and sand treatment) were implemented and monitored for effectiveness and potential impacts. Cyanobacteria treatment was completed as a pilot project in Bayfront Beach for two months during the summer of 2017. An experiment in sand cleaning (E-coli decontamination) with hydrogen peroxide was also completed.
1. Keyword
algae
2. Keyword
Hamilton Harbour
3. Keyword
water quality
4. Additional Keyword
Hydrodynamic modelling
5. Additional Keyword
Bird control
6. Additional Keyword
Cyanobacteria treatment