Confederation Park Storm Sewer Renewal

The City of Ottawa is proposing urgent repairs to an existing storm sewer system located within Confederation Park in Ottawa, Ontario. Confederation Park is a busy urban park characterized by mature vegetation, pedestrian pathways, landscaped open space, and areas that accommodate public events and activities throughout the year.

 

The storm sewer system within Confederation Park serves as a critical drainage outlet for several storm drainage leads connected to the adjacent National Arts Centre (NAC) parking garage and conveys stormwater runoff from surrounding urban infrastructure, including the Mackenzie King Bridge roadway, to the Rideau Canal. Recent investigations have identified significant blockages and deterioration within portions of the storm drainage leads, resulting in reduced drainage capacity and contributing to localized surface flooding on Mackenzie King Bridge during larger storm events. Due to the size, depth, and limited access constraints associated with the existing storm drainage leads and the adjacent NAC building, trenchless rehabilitation methods were considered but were determined not feasible.

 

Confederation Park is owned and managed by the National Capital Commission (NCC). The proposed works on Federal Land owned by the NCC will include the replacement of three (3) 250 millimetre (mm) diameter storm drainage leads at three locations, with a total length of approximately 25 metres (m). It is anticipated that three (3) mature trees and up to five (5) small-diameter trees will require removal, along with some disturbance to existing grassed surfaces and hard landscaping features. The works on NCC property are subject to a federal land use and design approval (FLUDA) under the National Capital Act and an environmental effects determination under Section 82 of the Impact Assessment Act.

 

Activities associated with the proposed work will include the implementation of pedestrian control measures, construction fencing, construction access, erosion and sediment control measures, tree protection measures, a construction staging area, excavation, soil stockpiling and management, and the reinstatement of all disturbed areas, including the replacement of trees removed as part of the work.

 

The proposed work is expected to occur in the Fall of 2026 and take approximately two weeks to complete. Pedestrian access through Confederation Park will be maintained during construction.

 

More

Latest update

August 24, 2026 – The National Capital Commission intends to make a determination regarding whether the carrying out of the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. To help inform this determination, the National Capital Commission is inviting public comments until September 24, 2026.

Participate

Key documents

Key documents
Document number Document title File Date
1 Notice of Intent - Confederation Park Storm Sewer Renewal - August 24, 2026

Contacts

Federal Approvals and Conservation Programs
100-12 York Street
Ottawa, Ontario K1N 5S6
Email: IA-EI@nnc-ccn.ca


Disclaimer

This map is for illustrative purposes. The markers represent the approximate locations based on available data. More than one marker may be identified for a given assessment.

  • Location

    • Confederation Park, Ottawa (Ontario)

  • Nature of activity

    • Water Management

  • Assessment status

    In progress

  • Start date

    2026-08-24

  • Proponent

    City of Ottawa

  • Authorities

    • National Capital Commission

  • Assessment type

    Project on federal lands

  • Reference number

    90722

Nearby assessments

...within 200 kilometres
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