Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Ottawaโs standing committee on environmental protection, water and waste management last week considered a $249 million million capital investment to renew and grow water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure, in reviewing its portions of the draft 2020 municipal budget.ย An additional $4 million would go towards the Wet Weather Infrastructure Master Plan to manage sewer capacity and reduce the risk of property flooding.
As well the committee proposes a $5.1 million investment in environmental initiatives, including $3 million to conserve energy in City facilities and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to update the Air Quality and Climate Change Management Plan. An additional $6.6 million would go towards protecting air and land at the cityโs Trail Waste Facility, for the second phase of capping and to expand the landfillโs gas collection system.
Residents would see increases to their water bills and waste collection fees. Starting April 1, a household that consumes the average amount of water, wastewater and stormwater per year (180 cubic meters) would pay an additional $36 per year. Starting Jan. 1, a single-family household would pay an additional $8 for curbside waste collection, for a total of $96. A multi-residential household would pay an additional $13.50, or $56.50 in total.
declaration of a climate emergency and the Urban Forest Management Plan, and creating a solid waste master plan for the next 30 years.
The committeeโs decisions will be reviewed by city council on Nov. 27, and the budget items will be reviewed on Dec. 11.