June 16, 1998
To:Budget Committee
From:Barry Gutteridge, Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
Subject:Delivery of 1998/99 Downspout Disconnection Program
Purpose:
To review the Downspout Disconnection Program and report on any program budget adjustments required in order to
achieve 4,000 property disconnections.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Funding is available within the approved 1998 Water and Waste Water Operating Budget.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that this report be received for information.
Council Reference/Background/History:
City Council, at its Special Meeting held on April 29 and 30, 1998, in adopting the 1998 Operating and Capital Budgets,
recommended, inter alia, that the Budget Committee review the Downspout Disconnect Program, referred to under the
subheading ANon-Mill Rate Operations - Water@, to ensure that the stated 4,000-household objective is achieved; and to
report back on any internal program budget adjustments which may be necessary.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
Since 1993, free and voluntary Downspout Disconnection Programs have been implemented and delivered throughout
former Toronto and parts of former Scarborough. These programs have been directed primarily to areas that were
constructed with a combined sewer system. Disconnection requires retrofitting of building drainage systems, unlike in the
case of newer building stock that was designed with separate storm and sanitary drainage.
Funded Disconnection Programs are currently not available in former North York, East York, York and Etobicoke
municipalities. However, an information brochure was developed in former East York to provide details to property owners
willing to undertake the disconnection work on their own.
Under the existing Toronto program structure, approximately 1,000 property disconnections have been completed in 1998.
Due to time constraints and the existing program delivery structure, the stated 4,000 household objective may not be
achieved by December of 1998. However, we are reviewing a number of improvements and will report to the Works and
Utilities Committee in early Fall along with the rationalization of services including expansion of the program across the
City.
Conclusions:
We have reviewed the funding requirements for the downspout disconnection program during 1998 and can accommodate
the funding required within the 1998 current budget for Water and Wastewater operations. We will report further to the
Works and Utilities on the expansion of the program on a City wide basis in early fall.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Eleanor McAteer
Director, Environmental Division
City Works Services
Toronto Community Council Area
Phone (416) 392-7763
Fax (416) 392-1456
e-mail Aemcateer@city.toronto.on.ca@
M.G. Thorne, P. Eng.Barry H. Gutteridge
Interim Functional LeadCommissioner
Water and Wastewater ServicesWorks and Emergency Services
