Larry O’Brien

A few short months ago the citizens of Ottawa learned that one million cubic meters of sewage was spilled into the Ottawa River. The city was devastated and all of us felt that our heritage of clean water was under attack. In the intervening few months we have learned much about how our sewer system works and unfortunately how it has failed us for many years.

But today, thanks to the Federal Minister of the Environment John Baird and Premier Dalton McGuinty, we are now in a position to reduce this problem in a significant way.

Today I announced a $100 million spending plan to substantially solve the problem that has been in the front of all our minds since we first learned of the issue. This announcement would not have been possible without the support and hard work of our provincial and federal partners. I would like to thank Environment Minister John Baird and Premier Dalton McGuinty for their support in finding a solution that will protect the Ottawa River for years to come. 

Ottawa has already committed to spending an initial $30 million to introduce a program that will reduce spills by approximately 65 per cent during an average year and stop 100 per cent of unintended spills. This will have the City of Ottawa exceeding the provincial regulations, but we are not going to stop there.

The additional $70 million we will be spending will ensure we can accelerate the separation of sanitary and storm sewers in a number of critical spots in Ottawa. Staff will be recommending projects in the next few months that will make further improvements. I will be taking this package to my Council colleagues in the near future and look forward to Council approval.   

Please see below a copy of the press release from today’s announcement:

For immediate release:

September 3, 2008

Mayor O’Brien proposes investment plan to protect Ottawa River

OTTAWA - Today Mayor Larry O’Brien announced plans to invest $100 million to significantly reduce the amount of waste flowing into the Ottawa River.

The $33 million funding commitment made yesterday by the federal government builds on the provincial government’s infrastructure grant and will allow the City to fully implement the Real Time Control Program, which will reduce spills by approximately 65 per cent during an average year and stop 100 per cent of unintended spills.

“I am proud to announce this first step in a major long-term investment between the City and our federal and provincial partners,” said Mayor Larry O’Brien. “To achieve a 65 per cent reduction within two years is significant and with this new money we can complete this work more efficiently.”

The Real Time Control Program, expected to be completed by 2010, is an important step in protecting the Ottawa River, as it will allow staff to maximize the capacity of existing sewage infrastructure while providing faster response times to spills.

The shared $100 million initiative will have an initial investment of $30 million -$10 million from each level of government. This proposal would dedicate the remaining following funds to the further protection of the Ottawa River:

· $23 million from the federal government’s commitment yesterday,
· $25 million from the provincial government’s $77 million infrastructure grant announced last week and,
· $22 million from the City to further reduce the volume of untreated sewer overflows.  

A staff interim report outlining the best investment opportunities for this $70 million will be presented for approval to Committee and Council in December 2008. Every dollar spent will be aimed at reducing the percentage of sewage spills in the Ottawa River.

Ottawa is investing to better protect the Ottawa River while working with neighbouring communities to share in this responsibility. Mayor O’Brien will meet with the City of Gatineau, the NCC and representatives from the Province of Quebec on Sept.22 to discuss how the two municipalities can work together to alleviate the effects of ongoing sewage spills. 

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