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PROVINCIAL METRIC
STANDARD OPSS 517
SPECIFICATION NOVEMBER 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
517.01 SCOPE
517.02 REFERENCES
517.03 DEFINITIONS
517.07 CONSTRUCTION
APPENDICES
517-A Commentary
517.01 SCOPE
This specification covers the requirements for dewatering procedures to stabilize the ground and keep
excavations free of water during installation of sanitary and storm pipe sewers, pipe culverts and end
sections, forcemains and associated appurtenances, watermains and associated appurtenances, and
other underground Utilities; maintenance holes, catch basins, ditch inlets, and valve chambers; and any
other specified subsurface construction.
This specification has been developed for use in provincial and municipal-oriented Contracts. The
administration, testing, and payment policies, procedures, and practices reflected in this specification
correspond to those used by many municipalities and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
Use of this specification or any other specification shall be according to the Contract Documents.
Appendices are not for use in provincial contracts as they are developed for municipal use, and then, only
when invoked by the Owner.
Inclusion of an appendix as part of the Contract Documents is solely at the discretion of the Owner.
Appendices are not a mandatory part of this specification and only become part of the Contract
Documents as the Owner invokes them.
Invoking a particular appendix does not obligate an Owner to use all available appendices. Only invoked
appendices form part of the Contract Documents.
The decision to use any appendix is determined by an Owner after considering their contract
requirements and their administrative, payment, and testing procedures, policies, and practices.
Depending on these considerations, an Owner may not wish to invoke some or any of the available
appendices.
517.02 REFERENCES
When the Contract Documents indicate that provincial-oriented specifications are to be used and there is
a provincial-oriented specification of the same number as those listed below, references within this
specification to an OPSS shall be deemed to mean OPSS.PROV, unless use of a municipal-oriented
specification is specified in the Contract Documents. When there is not a corresponding provincial-
oriented specification, the references below shall be considered to be to the OPSS listed, unless use of a
municipal-oriented specification is specified in the Contract Documents.
When the Contract Documents indicate that municipal-oriented specifications are to be used and there is
a municipal-oriented specification of the same number as those listed below, references within this
specification to an OPSS shall be deemed to mean OPSS.MUNI, unless use of a provincial-oriented
specification is specified in the Contract Documents. When there is not a corresponding municipal-
oriented specification, the references below shall be considered to be the OPSS listed, unless use of a
provincial-oriented specification is specified in the Contract Documents.
517.03 DEFINITIONS
Surrounding Area means as specified by the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) or as specified in the
Contract Documents.
The following information shall be submitted to the Contract Administrator for review at least two weeks
prior to the commencement of dewatering operation:
a) Unless provided in the Contract Documents, the permit issued by MOE for taking water from a ground
water source, if required.
b) Monitoring and contingency plans that address potential impacts to items such as, but not limited to,
settlement, ground water usage and electrical and mechanical equipment failures.
517.07 CONSTRUCTION
517.07.01 Dewatering
A continuous dewatering operation shall be provided to keep the excavation stable and free of water.
The excavation shall be monitored to ensure it remains stable and free of water.
The dewatering system shall be maintained and the surrounding area monitored for impacts to items such
as, but not limited to, settlement and ground water usage. Any impacts shall be immediately reported to
the Contract Administrator.
When a stand-by power or pumping system or both are required, they shall be as specified in the
Contract Documents, and shall be installed on-site.
The availability, location, and use of automatic transfer switching shall be as specified in the Contract
Documents.
Dewatering shall be discontinued in a manner so that disturbance of any structure or pipeline is avoided.
Payment at the Contract price for the appropriate tender items for the installation of sanitary and storm
pipe sewers, pipe culverts and end sections, forcemains and associated appurtenances, watermains and
associated appurtenances, and other underground Utilities; maintenance holes, catch basins, ditch inlets,
or valve chambers; and any other specified subsurface construction shall be full compensation for all
labour, Equipment, and Material to do the work.
Designer Action/Considerations
The designer may consider including soil boring data, a geotechnical report, a subsurface report, or a
soils report in the Tender Documents.
- Availability, location, and use of automatic transfer switching, based on site conditions, impacts, and
risk assessment. (517.07.01)
Due to the time required, the designer should consider obtaining the dewatering permit to avoid delays.
(517.04)
The need for a specific dewatering scheme should be determined. If a specific dewatering scheme is
necessary, it should be specified in the Contract Documents.
The designer should ensure that the General Conditions of Contract and the 100 Series General
Specifications are included in the Contract Documents.