As part of our ongoing Sewer Conveyance Project, we will be installing Air Management Infrastructure along the route of the new pipe.

Why is air management required?

Due to topography of the pipe there are natural high points and low points along its route. There are sections of the pipe where, due to gravity there is more or less air in the pipe. As the flows increase and decrease in the pipe (higher flow when it’s wet out, lower flow during dry seasons), the volume of air in the pipe changes, requiring air to be exhausted or replenished. To ensure proper functioning of the system, air within the pipe needs to be managed (either let in or out) depending on the system’s pressure and flow.

This system requires air management infrastructure in the form of:

• Air Intake Kiosks
• Air Valve Kiosks
• Air Management Point

Construction Estimated to begin June 16. 2025.

An Air Management Point is being installed at the corner of Beckton Drive and Lazo Road. This location was selected due to the hydraulics of the pipe. A long section of the pipe, along Lazo Road, functions by gravity pulling liquid along. As flow in the pipe increases and decreases (more flow during wet weather, less flow during dry) the volume of the air in the pipe changes, requiring air to be exhausted and replenished.

The pipe has been engineered to have air continuously pulled into it and exhausted from it, thereby optimizing the flow by gravity in the section.

The infrastructure is designed to ensure that there will be no noticeable smell. The air which is continuously released at this location is passed through an activated carbon scrubber, which removes odorous gas to a level of 0.1 parts per million of H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide).

As part of the design, a fan is required to help move the air. The fan will have a noise mitigation system to dampen the sound at neighboring property lines. The maximum sound achieved should be no more than 45 dB (decibels), which is similar to the sound level a residential fridge makes.

The size of air management point is larger than the air intake and the air valve kiosks. It required a sizeable space, ideally not adjacent to a residential lot. The Town of Comox parcel where the storm water pond is located at the corner of Beckton Drive and Lazo Road was identified as the correct location, due to the topography of the pipe, it was public land, and did not border any residential lots. An additional benefit included that the infrastructure could be recessed into the berm of the storm water pond, reducing its visual impact.

The infrastructure will sit within a fenced area set into the pond embankment, with a footprint of 25 .5 x 11.4 feet (7.8m x 3.5m). The fence will be 8 feet (2.4 m) tall on the side which fronts Lazo Road and 6 feet (1.8 m) tall on the sides which front residences on Beckton Drive and will be staggered up the slope

Many designs were considered for the infrastructure. After reviewing the options, a fenced design was selected. An enclosed building would have required a much larger footprint and be much taller to accommodate maintenance. The equipment is designed to be all weather. Even if enclosed, air would still have been required to exhaust continuously from the building. To reduce the overall height and footprint a concrete, non-climbable fencing option was selected. The fencing is designed to look like wood.

Air Valve Kisoks are required at high points along the route. They are needed to prevent air locks in the pipe. The Kiosks are sealed units designed in two ways to ensure that there is no risk of odour:

1. They vent to a sealed underground chamber complete with a carbon filter on the lid preventing any odour concern.
2. They vent directly into the Town of Comox sewer main.

There is no noise generated at these kiosks. They vary in size but, overall do not exceed 6’ in height.

Locations exact locations indicated on the interactive map):

• Two on Balmoral Avenue
• Three on Beaufort Avenue
• One on Brent Road
• Two on Comox Avenue
• Two on Comox Road

To request more detailed drawing please contact: communications@comoxvalleyrd.ca

There are two types of air intake kiosks. The first are used only for emergency air intake, when there is a risk of negative pressure in the pipe, ex: in the event of power outages. The second, which are slightly larger format pull air continuously into the pipe. Since both are for air intake only, there is no risk of smell and they don’t make any noise.

Locations (exact locations indicated on the interactive map):

• Northwest corner of Lazo Road and Forester Avenue
• Southeast corner of Butchers Road and Lazo Road
• Comox Avenue

Examples of schematic drawings of Air Intake Kiosks:

• Download a PDF of Butchers Road & Lazo Road
• Download a PDF of Forester Avenue & Lazo Road

To request more detailed drawing please contact: communications@comoxvalleyrd.ca

The air intake kiosks and air valve kiosks are metal enclosures. These boxes have the advantage that they can be vinyl wrapped to reduce their visual impact. Wrapping them can either help camouflage the kisoks or add visual interest to the neighbourhood by highlighting art from a local artist or photographer. Residents input on the appearance of the wrap is encouraged.