Budget - Environmental Services

Environmental Services includes three sections: Environmental Protection, Waste Management, and Water Services.

Environmental Protection oversees the operation and maintenance of a Class 4 Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), along with 13 sewage pumping stations and a septage receiving service. The team actively monitors and maintains both the storm and sanitary sewer collection systems, ensuring compliance with Environmental Compliance Approval regulations. Additionally, the division operates an accredited laboratory and manages the iconic Centennial Fountain in Little Lake.

Waste Management focuses on the efficient collection, processing, and disposal of garbage, recyclables, green waste, large articles, hazardous waste, and electronic waste within the Municipal Operations Division. The team also manages the Peterborough County/City Waste Management Facility, the Material Recycling Facility, and the Household Hazardous Waste Depot. Programs such as GROW Peterborough's Source Separated Organics collection and the Peterborough Organics Facility for compost processing further support sustainable waste management efforts.

Water Services section is responsible for the City of Peterborough’s water treatment and distribution system comprises one (1) water treatment plant, nine (9) pumping stations, five (5) water storage facilities, one (1) bulk fill station and approximately 472 km of watermains. Water Services carries out various strategies and activities to maintain current levels of service and maintain/extend the useful life of water assets. Major activities that are undertaken in this regard include infrastructure rehabilitation and replacement, and regular inspection and maintenance activities. The operation of the water system is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act and various legislative documents. As of April 1, 2025, the system transferred to the City of Peterborough and is now directly managed by this division. Regulatory requirements around monitoring, risk assessment, reporting and financial sustainability are delivered through rigorous processes and procedures that general are detailed in our Drinking Water Quality Management System.

Highlights

Environmental Protection

All pumping stations, sanitary sewer collection systems and WWTP expenditures are funded from the Sewer Surcharge. Revenue from “extra strength” surcharge agreements, and hauled sewage from surrounding counties, will continue to offset the Environmental Monitoring Program and plant operating costs. The laboratory services internal departmental needs (e.g., City/County Landfill) complement its activities. The 2025 budget increase in Sewer Surcharge includes the seventh year of the ten-year implementation of the Water Resource Protection program. The Sewer Surcharge rate for 2026 has increased to 109.01% (2025 – 107.69%) of the water rate.

In 2026, the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is projected to receive and process approximately 17 to 19 million cubic metres of sewage, along with 60,000 to 110,000 cubic metres of landfill leachate. The actual volumes may vary based on rainfall and snowmelt conditions.

Ongoing enhancements and maintenance of the sanitary sewer system will play a crucial role in mitigating extraneous flows, reducing unwanted inflows to the plant, and delaying the need for costly future expansions. A comprehensive preventative maintenance program for sanitary sewer trunk mains will ensure the safe and reliable transport of wastewater to the plant for treatment. Additionally, routine storm sewer and catch basin cleaning will improve surface water drainage, helping to minimize street flooding and enhancing overall city infrastructure resilience.

Peterborough County/City Waste Management Facility

On July 1, 2002, the City and the County signed an agreement whereby the County became an equal partner in the ownership and operation of the Peterborough County/City Waste Management Facility (the Bensfort site). Under the terms of the ownership agreement with the County, all expenditures (operating and capital), and revenues are shared on a 50:50 basis.

Projected tipping fees for 2026 are budgeted at $4.9 million (2025 - $5.3 million), due to a combination of slowing in the local construction economy, and increased fees offset by increased diversion.

The County will contribute $2.6 million (2025 - $2.8 million) towards the gross costs of the landfill operation and receive approximately $2.5 million (2025 - $2.7 million) in revenues for an estimated net expense to the County of $0.01 million (2025 - $0.01 million).

The 2026 contribution to the Waste Management Reserve Fund (WMRF) is $1,071,800 (2025 - $910,700). In addition, the City will contribute $227,000 to a Landfill Closure and Post-Closure Reserve, the same as in 2025.

Waste Management Reserve Long-term Projections

To ensure the long-term ability of the WMRF to support the Waste Management Capital program, staff project the ten-year contributions and draws that affect the Waste Management Reserve Fund.

Waste Management Tax Rate for Exempt Properties

Properties that are exempt from property taxes, such as churches and schools, except for their portion of the Waste Management costs are taxed at a rate that is associated with only the Waste Management costs. This rate is calculated in the same manner as regular property taxes, except limited to total Waste Management costs. The Waste Management rate for 2026 is calculated to be 0.0811090% (0.0803580% in 2025).

Water Services

The Water Services section includes the Water Treatment Plant, Water Distribution, and Water Engineering.

The Water Treatment staff operate and maintain a Class 4 Surface Water Treatment Plant with eight pumping stations, two reservoirs, three elevated tanks, and the Water Street Pumphouse and Dam. The Water Treatment plant has an Operator present 24/7 that monitors all reservoirs, pumping stations and distribution system in accordance with Safe Drinking Water Act and applicable Drinking Water Licenses.

The Water Distribution staff operate and maintain approximately 472 km of watermains, 2,462 hydrants, 27,818 individual water services and over 28,800 water meters. The Water Distribution section has a licensed Operator available 24/7 to respond to customer issues and address any concerns or potential leaks.

The Water Engineering staff plan, design and manage major capital works projects in accordance with the Water Utility Asset Management Plan and best practices. Water Engineering staff are responsible for keeping up to date record drawings of all infrastructure and providing drafting and GIS mapping support to operational divisions.

Recommendations

That the water rate increase of 3.5% included in the 2026 Operating and Capital budget be approved.

That any surplus in Water Services at the end of 2026 be transferred to the Water Treatment Plant reserve, subject to the overall year-end position, and that if actual Water Services costs exceed the 2026 Budget, funds may be drawn from the Water Treatment Plant Reserve.

Overview - Operating Budgets