Markham, Ontario incorporates microtunneling in its York Downs Sanitary Sewer Connection
June 04, 2024
By J. Neil Harvey and Hiva Mahdavi
Neil Harvey and Hiva Mahdavi share a microtunneling case study with Trenchless Technology
Microtunnels can provide many advantages for a project. Stantec’s work on the York Downs Sanitary Sewer Connection project—in Markham, Ontario, Canada—incorporated the use of a microtunnel, which benefited the project in a few ways.
In this article, Neil Harvey and Hiva Mahdavi examine some of the more intriguing elements of this project, including the team’s use of a microtunnel.
Share
-
Neil is a civil engineer and senior member of the Water team who focuses on trenchless technologies, conveyance, and large diameter infrastructure.
Contact J. Neil -
Hiva is a civil and geotechnical engineer and leader who focuses on tunneling and trenchless projects—using earth pressure balance tunnel boring machines, pressurized-face microtunneling, horizontal directional drilling, and horizontal auger boring.
Contact Hiva
{
"headline": "Related Ideas",
"link": {
"text":"View More Ideas",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/market\/water.html"
},
"newTab": false,
"uuid": "a319f5d9\u002D27a8\u002D4bd9\u002D80cc\u002D8910aed80e0d",
"themeClass": "home-related-items-2",
"tabs": [
{
"headline": "",
"active": true,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 0 - AWWA ACE 2026 Conference: Stantec presentation schedule",
"link": {
"text":"AWWA ACE 2026 Conference: Stantec presentation schedule",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/conference\/awwa\u002Dace\u002D2026\u002Dstantec\u002Dpresentation\u002Dschedule.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/spotlight\/001\/water\u002Dsplashing\u002Dadobestock\u002D191046137.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "AWWA ACE 2026 Conference: Stantec presentation schedule",
"overwriteSubhead": "Conference",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 1 - Expanding recycled water in Southern California",
"link": {
"text":"Expanding recycled water in Southern California",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/expanding\u002Drecycled\u002Dwater\u002Dsouthern\u002Dcalifornia.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/stock\/other\/0008\/plastic\u002Dwater\u002Dpipe\u002Dadobestock\u002D274344464 (002).jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Expanding recycled water in Southern California",
"overwriteSubhead": "Podcast",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 2 - Clean drinking water: Forward-thinking design solves unique Great Lakes challenges",
"link": {
"text":"Clean drinking water: Forward\u002Dthinking design solves unique Great Lakes challenges",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/clean\u002Ddrinking\u002Dwater\u002Dforward\u002Dthinking\u002Ddesign\u002Dsolves\u002Dunique\u002Dgreat\u002Dlakes\u002Dchallenges.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/clean\u002Ddrinking\u002Dwater\u002Dspark.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Clean drinking water: Forward\u002Dthinking design solves unique Great Lakes challenges",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 3 - Kaitoke Bridge: The alchemy of location, community, and legacy",
"link": {
"text":"Kaitoke Bridge: The alchemy of location, community, and legacy",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/kaitoke\u002Dbridge\u002Dalchemy\u002Dof\u002Dlocation\u002Dcommunity\u002Dlegacy.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/mark\u002Dwollina\u002Dkaitoke\u002Dbridge.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Kaitoke Bridge: The alchemy of location, community, and legacy",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 4 - Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) compliance: Navigating regulatory uncertainty",
"link": {
"text":"Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) compliance: Navigating regulatory uncertainty",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/lead\u002Dcopper\u002Drule\u002Dimprovements\u002Dlcri\u002Dcompliance\u002Dnavigating\u002Dregulatory\u002Duncertainty.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/child\u002Ddrinking\u002Dwater\u002Dadobestock\u002D392602194.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) compliance: Navigating regulatory uncertainty",
"overwriteSubhead": "Webinar Recording",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 5 - America’s water infrastructure needs help: Here are 3 ways to strengthen it",
"link": {
"text":"America’s water infrastructure needs help: Here are 3 ways to strengthen it",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/americas\u002Dwater\u002Dinfrastructure\u002Dneeds\u002Dhelp\u002D3\u002Dways\u002Dto\u002Dstrengthen\u002Dit.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/027\/hetch\u002Dhetchy\u002Dadobestock\u002D23520536.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "America’s water infrastructure needs help: Here are 3 ways to strengthen it",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 6 - Water storage tanks 101: Getting the most out of your tank",
"link": {
"text":"Water storage tanks 101: Getting the most out of your tank",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/water\u002Dstorage\u002Dtanks\u002D101\u002Dgetting\u002Dthe\u002Dmost\u002Dout\u002Dof\u002Dyour\u002Dtank.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/026\/water\u002Dtank\u002Dadobestock\u002D247275646.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Water storage tanks 101: Getting the most out of your tank",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 7 - Markham, Ontario incorporates microtunneling in its York Downs Sanitary Sewer Connection",
"link": {
"text":"Markham, Ontario incorporates microtunneling in its York Downs Sanitary Sewer Connection",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2024\/markham\u002Dontario\u002Dincorporates\u002Dmicrotunneling\u002Dyork\u002Ddowns\u002Dsanitary\u002Dsewer\u002Dconnection.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0003\/york\u002Ddowns\u002Dsanitary\u002Dsewer\u002Dconnection.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Markham, Ontario incorporates microtunneling in its York Downs Sanitary Sewer Connection",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 8 - Time to invest in water automation? How to tackle 5 operational technology challenges",
"link": {
"text":"Time to invest in water automation? How to tackle 5 operational technology challenges",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/time\u002Dto\u002Dinvest\u002Dwater\u002Dautomation\u002Dhow\u002Dto\u002Dtackle\u002D5\u002Doperational\u002Dtechnology\u002Dchallenges.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/025\/digital\u002Danalytics\u002Dadobestock\u002D257957753.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Time to invest in water automation? How to tackle 5 operational technology challenges",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 9 - Four considerations for large pump station design",
"link": {
"text":"Four considerations for large pump station design",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2024\/four\u002Dconsiderations\u002Dfor\u002Dlarge\u002Dpump\u002Dstation\u002Ddesign.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0003\/easterly\u002Dtunnel\u002Ddewatering\u002Dpump\u002Dstation\u002D189015.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Four considerations for large pump station design",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 10 - 3 things to consider when creating a lead service line inventory",
"link": {
"text":"3 things to consider when creating a lead service line inventory",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2024\/3\u002Dthings\u002Dto\u002Dconsider\u002Dwhen\u002Dcreating\u002Dlead\u002Dservice\u002Dline\u002Dinventory.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/025\/lsl\u002Dinventory\u002Dnorwood\u002Dma.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "3 things to consider when creating a lead service line inventory",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 11 - Bringing a safe, reliable drinking water system back to Jackson, Mississippi",
"link": {
"text":"Bringing a safe, reliable drinking water system back to Jackson, Mississippi",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/bringing\u002Da\u002Dsafe\u002Dreliable\u002Ddrinking\u002Dwater\u002Dsystem\u002Dback\u002Dto\u002Djackson\u002Dms.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/jxn\u002Dwater\u002Ddesign\u002Dimprovements.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Bringing a safe, reliable drinking water system back to Jackson, Mississippi",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 12 - Optimizing complex HDD design and overcoming subsurface challenges",
"link": {
"text":"Optimizing complex HDD design and overcoming subsurface challenges",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2023\/optimizing\u002Dcomplex\u002Dhdd\u002Ddesign\u002Dovercoming\u002Dsubsurface\u002Dchallenges.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/004\/pipeline\u002Dstock\u002D140843.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Optimizing complex HDD design and overcoming subsurface challenges",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 13 - Design and development of large diameter water tunnels",
"link": {
"text":"Design and development of large diameter water tunnels",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2023\/design\u002Ddevelopment\u002Dof\u002Dlarge\u002Ddiameter\u002Dwater\u002Dtunnels.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/tunnel\u002Dboring\u002Dadobestock\u002D39120566.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Design and development of large diameter water tunnels",
"overwriteSubhead": "Webinar Recording",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 14 - How to create a lead service line inventory through data",
"link": {
"text":"How to create a lead service line inventory through data",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2023\/how\u002Dto\u002Dcreate\u002Dlead\u002Dservice\u002Dline\u002Dinventory\u002Dthrough\u002Ddata.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/024\/copper\u002Dpipe\u002Dadobestock\u002D6537430.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How to create a lead service line inventory through data",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 15 - Multi-pronged trenchless rehab approach",
"link": {
"text":"Multi\u002Dpronged trenchless rehab approach",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2023\/multi\u002Dpronged\u002Dtrenchless\u002Drehab\u002Dapproach.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/pdf\u002Dpromo\u002Dimages\/003\/phase\u002D3\u002Dhigh\u002Dlevel\u002Dinterceptor\u002Drehabilitation.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Multi\u002Dpronged trenchless rehab approach",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 16 - How water utilities can develop a digital twin and use GIS mapping to meet future needs",
"link": {
"text":"How water utilities can develop a digital twin and use GIS mapping to meet future needs",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2023\/how\u002Dwater\u002Dutilities\u002Dcan\u002Ddevelop\u002Ddigital\u002Dtwin\u002Duse\u002Dgis\u002Dmapping\u002Dmeet\u002Dfuture\u002Dneeds.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/023\/jackson\u002Dwater\u002Dimprovements\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How water utilities can develop a digital twin and use GIS mapping to meet future needs",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 17 - How can machine learning help water utilities find lead service lines?",
"link": {
"text":"How can machine learning help water utilities find lead service lines?",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2023\/how\u002Dcan\u002Dmachine\u002Dlearning\u002Dhelp\u002Dwater\u002Dutilities\u002Dfind\u002Dlead\u002Dservice\u002Dlines.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/023\/lead\u002Dpipes\u002Ddobestock\u002D366548962.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How can machine learning help water utilities find lead service lines?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 18 - Gen Z water engineer: Climate change is the space race of my generation",
"link": {
"text":"Gen Z water engineer: Climate change is the space race of my generation",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2022\/gen\u002Dz\u002Dwater\u002Dengineer\u002Dclimate\u002Dchange\u002Dis\u002Dthe\u002Dspace\u002Drace\u002Dof\u002Dmy\u002Dgeneration.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/022\/water\u002Dtreatment\u002Dadobestock\u002D312618738.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Gen Z water engineer: Climate change is the space race of my generation",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 19 - Artificial intelligence and machine learning can diffuse water’s ticking time bomb",
"link": {
"text":"Artificial intelligence and machine learning can diffuse water’s ticking time bomb",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2022\/artificial\u002Dintelligence\u002Dand\u002Dmachine\u002Dlearning\u002Dcan\u002Ddiffuse\u002Dwaters\u002Dticking\u002Dtime\u002Dbomb.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/021\/concrete\u002Dpipe\u002Dadobestock\u002D199215348.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Artificial intelligence and machine learning can diffuse water’s ticking time bomb",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 20 - Microtunneling 101: Good things come in small packages",
"link": {
"text":"Microtunneling 101: Good things come in small packages",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2021\/microtunneling\u002D101\u002Dgood\u002Dthings\u002Dcome\u002Din\u002Dsmall\u002Dpackages.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/016\/south\u002Dsurrey\u002Dinterceptor\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Microtunneling 101: Good things come in small packages",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": false,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 21 - ",
"link": {
"text":"",
"url":""
},
"promoImage": "",
"overwriteHeadline": "",
"overwriteSubhead": "",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 22 - Highlighting the hidden: Integrating operational infrastructure into the community",
"link": {
"text":"Highlighting the hidden: Integrating operational infrastructure into the community",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2021\/highlighting\u002Dthe\u002Dhidden\u002Dintegrating\u002Doperational\u002Dinfrastructure\u002Dinto\u002Dthe\u002Dcommunity.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0112\/ubc\u002Dwater\u002Dpump\u002Dstation\u002D182031.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Highlighting the hidden: Integrating operational infrastructure into the community",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 23 - Building water reliability: New Colorado dam, complex tunnel strengthens water supply",
"link": {
"text":"Building water reliability: New Colorado dam, complex tunnel strengthens water supply",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2021\/building\u002Dwater\u002Dreliability\u002Dnew\u002Dcolorado\u002Ddam\u002Dcomplex\u002Dtunnel\u002Dstrengthens\u002Dwater\u002Dsupply.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0104\/chimney\u002Dhollow\u002Dreservoir\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Building water reliability: New Colorado dam, complex tunnel strengthens water supply",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
}
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
}
]
}