November 18, 1999

To: Works Committee

From: Barry H. Gutteridge, Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services

Subject: Sewer Connection Blockage Inspection and Repair Program, and Tree Root Removal and Grants Policy

All Wards

Purpose:

To report on guidelines and criteria to be followed by Community Councils when considering appeals regarding the Sewer Connection Blockage Inspection and Repair Program, and Tree Root Removal and Grants Policy, and on how this program can be dovetailed or harmonized with the City's Water Service Connection Repair Program.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Anticipated enhanced grants due to approved appeals will increase the Water and Wastewater operating budget for the Tree Root Removal and Grant Program by an estimated $35,000 annually.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

1. The Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services submit a report to the appropriate Community Council for each appeal submitted to the City. The Community Council will review each case individually and make recommendations to Council for enhanced grants.

2. The Sewer Connection Blockage Inspection and Repair Program, and Tree Root Removal and Grants Policy not be dovetailed or harmonized with the Water Service Connection Repair Program.

Background:

City Council at its meeting of May 11 & 12, 1999, amended Clause 3 (Sewer Connection Blockage Inspection and Repair Program, and Tree Root Removal and Grants Policy) to require that the authority for appeals under the subject Program be delegated to the Community Council.

As a consequence, Council also requested that the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services

"(d) submit a report to the Works Committee on:

(i) guidelines and criteria to be followed by Community Councils in the implementation of this policy; and

(ii) how the Sewer Repair Program can dovetail or be harmonized with the City of Toronto's lead pipe replacement program."

Comments:

Drain Grant Programs were administered in all six former municipalities. Guidelines and criteria, however, were different. The recently approved Sewer Connection Blockage Inspection and Repair Program, and Tree Root Removal and Grants Policy ensures common guidelines and criteria across the City.

Although a formalized Appeal Process only existed in the former City of Toronto, the various Works Committees/Councils considered "appeals" in the other former municipalities as well. Records indicate that a total of approximately 200 appeals have been considered over the last three years in the former municipalities with the majority (approximately 140) in the former City of Toronto.

An appeal to the City for an enhanced grant can be submitted by an applicant/owner only when the total repairs exceed the current grant maximum of $1,500.00 for replacements, $500.00 for a partial repair, or if the grant application had been denied. The repair/replacement cost and the nature of the work and the circumstances may vary greatly from residence to residence.

It is expected that an estimated, average, enhanced award of $500.00 per appeal will cost an additional $35,000 per year. The cost of the program is currently carried in the operating budget. Therefore, it is recommended that anytime a homeowner appeals for an enhanced grant, a report is to be submitted to the Community Council by the Department, detailing the homeowners' request, the background information, any extenuating circumstances and nature of the repairs. The applicant/owner will be invited for deputation to the Community Council, who will review on a case by case basis and will recommend to Council any enhanced grant to be given to the applicant/owner.

It is impractical and virtually impossible to dovetail the "Sewer Repair Program" (Sewer Connection Blockage Inspection and Repair Program, and Tree Root Removal and Grants Policy) with the City's "Lead Pipe Replacement Program" (Water Service Replacement Program). The two are NOT related (and very rarely occur concurrently) and are carried out for different purposes. The first is only a grant program intended to provide financial assistance to a homeowner where the City owned tree roots penetrate/damage the private portion of the private drain. The second rehabilitates (improves) the City asset (i.e., the City's portion of the water service connection), by replacing the substandard residential water service in order to provide quality water service to the residents.

It is therefore recommended that the "Sewer Repair Program" not be dovetailed with the "Water Service Connection Repair Program ".

Contact:

Michael A. Price, P.Eng., FICE

General Manager, Water and Wastewater Services

Barry H. Gutteridge

Commissioner, Works and Emergency Serivces

MC/rl