Ottawa River Action Plan

The City has a working plan to protect the health of the Ottawa River. That means cleaner water, safer beaches and a better environment. The 17 projects in the Ottawa River Action Plan not only address the problem of combined sewer overflows, but also the broader issues affecting the entire watershed. Annual Reports will be tabled at Planning and Environment Committee to track implementation and outcomes. The first annual report is scheduled for Q1, 2011.

The following 17 Projects form the Ottawa River Action Plan

1. Implementation of Real Time Control (RTC)
2. Critical CSO and Storm Outfall Monitoring
3. CSO Storage for Ultimate Combined Sewer Area
4. Review and Implement Sewer Interconnection Program
5. Sewer Separation outside of the UCSA
6. Development of a Wet Weather Infrastructure Management Plan
7. Implementation of a Wet Weather Infrastructure Management Plan
8. Installation of Floatable Traps in Combined Sewer Area Catchbasins
9. Pinecrest Creek / Westboro Stormwater Management Retrofit Plan
10. Eastern Subwatersheds Stormwater Management Retrofit Plan
11. Implementation of Stormwater Management Retrofit Plans
12. Effluent Dechlorinization
13. Water Environment Strategy
14. Monitoring and Source Control Programs
15. Wastewater and Drainage Environmental Quality Management System
16. Updates to Bacterial Water Quality Computer Model
17. Public Outreach and Education

Water Environment Strategy

The City of Ottawa is developing a Water Environment Strategy (WES) to guide the protection and enhancement of water resources in Ottawa. The need to for a comprehensive planning and implementation framework was identified in the 2003 Environmental Strategy, with funding approved for its development under the Ottawa River Action Plan (ORAP) in 2010.

The Benefits of Having a Water Environment Strategy

The Water Environment Strategy will benefit the community in the several ways. It will:

• Identify the full range of water environment issues that exist within the City’s boundaries such as the protection of aquatic habitats, protection of the city’s water sources, and the protection of recreational beaches;
• Clarify roles and responsibilities amongst the various jurisdictions and parties responsible for water environment protection.
• Set short, mid, and long-term goals and objectives for improving delivery of water environment programs and services, including examination of city operating practices.
• Establish measurable and achievable targets by which to measure service delivery and environmental protection.
• Secure funding commitments to meet those targets.
• Institute a monitoring and reporting framework to ensure the timely communication of results to Council and the public.

Strategy Development

Development of the strategy will take place over 2010-2011. It will build upon a number of existing water protection policies, including the City’s Groundwater Management Strategy, Official Plan, Infrastructure Master Plan, as well as the Ottawa River Action Plan and the Rideau Valley Conservation Authority’s Lower Rideau Watershed Strategy. In developing the strategy consideration will be given to the various on-going works of other stakeholders across the city. The focus of this initiative will be on putting policy into action—not creating more policy.

Outreach Activities

A key first step in this project is to raise awareness about water environment issues, and how we interact with the water environment every day. A travelling information booth will be used across the city to illustrate our dependence on the water environment, and the role that each of us has in its protection. Additional outreach and consultation activities will be planned as the study progresses.

Have a Question or Comment?

Please email us at WES@ottawa.ca

[ top ]

More information

If you have questions, please e-mail riverplan@ottawa.ca

[ top ]