Category Archives: Environment

Notice date: January 20, 2025 Key Facts Ongoing extreme cold temperatures can cause water pipes and plumbing to freeze.  Small steps now, like insulating water pipes, can prevent frozen pipes later. Learn more at guelph.ca/frozenpipes. Be prepared for any emergency with a 72-hour emergency kit, learn how at guelph.ca/beprepared. Cold temperatures forecasted for the months of January and February can cause substantial frost build up below ground. With upcoming forecasts predicting low temperatures, you can prevent frozen pipes by taking preventative action. Tips for preventing frozen pipes You can prevent frozen pipes in your home or business by taking these simple steps: Insulate water pipes, especially where they enter your home or business, where they run along outside walls, and in crawl spaces and attics.… Continue reading Frigid winter temperatures mean you should protect your pipes from freezing

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Guelph, Ont.,January 15, 2025 The City is aware of a water main break on Macdonnell at Wyndham Street North in Downtown Guelph. Our staff are working diligently to complete the repairs as soon as possible. While the situation is being handled, we encourage everyone to avoid the area until repairs are complete. There are no health risks associated with this break. We will continue to provide updates as the situation progresses. Updated Traffic impacts Macdonnell Street, from Wyndham Street North to just in front of the West Parkade, is now closed. Repairs are set to begin imminently and are expected to take approximately 8 to 10 hours to complete. Visit guelph.ca/transit for information about potential route impacts. Updates will be made to this notice at guelph.ca/news and… Continue reading Updated: City working to resolve Water Main Break, Downtown Guelph

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Guelph, Ont., December 19, 2024 – The City of Guelph is developing its first integrated water management strategy, called The Blueprint: Guelph’s One Water Plan. The City of Guelph is known for its commitment to sustainable water management through the operation of three municipal services: water, wastewater, and stormwater. These municipal services are important for the City’s infrastructure. They help provide and protect water resources for residents and businesses and also take care of the environment. The purpose of an integrated water management strategy and care for water in all its forms (including drinking water, wastewater or stormwater) as a single, interconnected system is to ensure water sustainability for future generations. Guelph’s population is expected to grow significantly in the coming years; the City’s Official… Continue reading Help shape Guelph’s water conservation strategy

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Commencing January 1, 2025 Guelph, Ont., December 19, 2024 – Beginning January 1, 2025, the self-service paper shredder at the Waste Resource Innovation Centre (WRIC) will no longer operate due to changes from the provincial Blue Box Regulation. Shredded and un-shredded paper is still being collected using the following options: Drop off shredded paper in clear plastic bags at Gate 1 of the WRIC (public drop off), free of charge. Put shredded paper in clear plastic bags and place it in your blue cart. Drop off un-shredded paper and recycling at Gate 1 of the WRIC (public drop off), free of charge. If you need to shred paper, services are available from local paper shredding services and office supply and print shops, or you can… Continue reading Paper shredder will no longer be available at the Waste Resource Innovation Centre

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The next step in the City’s annual tree removal program is set to begin. Trees in parks and natural areas that are hazardous, including ash trees infested and killed by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), were identified and marked for removal earlier this year. Removals will begin on or around November 25. Continue reading City begins annual hazard tree removal

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By optimizing their boilers, PDI saves over $15,000 annually! Polymer Distribution Inc. is a fully integrated transloading and transportation facility located in Guelph that helps food, polymer, and chemical companies service their customers efficiently and sustainably. They are proactively looking for new and innovative ways to reduce their impact on natural resources, like water. After auditing their water use through the Water Smart Business program, PDI identified that they could reduce their water use by more than 9.45 cubic metres (m3) per day if they optimized their boiler system. By optimizing its boilers, Polymer Distribution Inc. is expected to save $15,000 off its water bill annually. Through the Water Smart Business Program, Polymer Distribution Inc. is making a difference in its community while also saving money.… Continue reading Polymer Distribution Inc. is seeing results

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The City of Guelph is constructing a new laneway to access Downey Well and Pumphouse for operation and maintenance. Continue reading Downey Well and Pumphouse Access Laneway

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This fall, Guelph residents have four ways to get rid of their leaves and yard waste: Mulch leaves and leave them on your lawn for healthy grass next spring or use leaves – whole or mulched – to insulate and protect your garden beds over winter. From now until December 1, bag leaves or put them in an appropriate container labelled “yard waste” and place them at the curb on your grey cart collection day. Learn more about getting your yard waste ready for curbside collection at guelph.ca/yardwaste, and remember: leaves, grass clippings, and yard waste can’t go in your green cart. If you live in a neighbourhood with mature trees, rake your loose leaves to the curb no earlier than November 8, 2024 for pick up… Continue reading Tips for managing fall yard waste in Guelph

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Curbside collection will be maintained Guelph, Ont., October 21, 2024 – Starting January 1, 2025, Waste Management Corporation of Canada (WM) will be responsible for collecting blue box recycling including blue carts in Guelph. The City of Guelph will still collect garbage, organics, and yard waste as usual. WM has confirmed to the City that it plans to keep the collection days and carts for recycling the same, but pick-up times for recyclables might change. The City will continue to accept residents and businesses’ recycling at the public drop-off area of the Waste Resource Innovation Centre at 110 Dunlop Drive in 2025. Prior to the transition, WM will launch a customer service phone line, email, and customer service website with a chat feature to assist… Continue reading Blue box recycling collection in Guelph to transition to Waste Management Corporation of Canada in January 2025

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These properties are significant water supply assets owned by the City and located in the Township of Puslinch. Continue reading Arkell Spring Grounds and Carter Wellfield Projects

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Funds to support water and wastewater capacity improvements  Guelph, Ont., ​October 2, 2024​ – The City of Guelph is pleased to announce that it has been awarded $2.1 million by the province through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWS Fund) for the Wyndham-Wellington Water and Wastewater Capacity Improvements project. This funding, which was awarded through a competitive application process, will help facilitate the replacement and improvement of water and wastewater infrastructure on Wellington Street from Gordon Street to Wyndham Street South. It will also fund replacing the wastewater infrastructure on Wyndham Street South from Wellington Street to Farquhar Street. As a result of this work, 150 shovel-ready housing units will be enabled by 2027, helping the City achieve its housing pledge targets.   By making these… Continue reading City set to receive $2.1 million in provincial funding for water and wastewater infrastructure upgrades in Guelph

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Starting September 23 at 10 a.m., Guelph residents can register for a free, native tree for their yard through Forest Ontario’s Take Root program. Continue reading It’s time to Take Root with a free tree for your yard!

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Guelph, Ont., ​September 12, 2024​ – The City of Guelph is pleased to announce that fourteen projects have been awarded $53,000 through the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) micro-grant program. Guelph is one of six Canadian cities and one of one hundred international cities chosen to receive a micro-grant through the Youth Climate Action Fund from Bloomberg Philanthropies.   This YCAF micro-grant program is part of the City’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship by supporting and empowering youth-led climate innovations. Funds awarded through this program will be used to implement several innovative climate initiatives that will benefit the community.   “We received about twenty-four applications totaling $107,000 in requests. It was a difficult process, but each application was reviewed by a grant panel of staff experts and… Continue reading City of Guelph awards $53,000 to 14 projects through the Youth Climate Action Fund micro-grant program

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About the project The City is working with Stantec, an environmental consultant, to complete testing City owned Logan Test Well. The test will pump potable drinking water to the stormwater management system at a catch basin on Eastview Road and Norton Drive, and discharge to a storm pond at the north east corner of Watson Parkway and Grange Road. Work begins August 29 The work is expected to begin August 29 and will continue over the course of up to four to five weeks, for 24 hours a day. The public is required to stay clear of the work area within the stormwater management pond for the duration of the testing. What to expect It is expected that there may be higher water levels in… Continue reading Testing at the Logan Well will begin August 29

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We’re preparing for yearly meadow mowing, which takes place between mid-August and the end of October, depending on the site and weather conditions. Continue reading Meadow maintenance underway in Guelph parks and natural areas in August

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Guelph, Ont., August 1, 2024 – The City has contracted Tuygun Painting Contracting Ltd to repaint fire hydrants that have been preselected through our Water Services fire hydrant inspection program. The work is expected to begin this week and take approximately two months to complete. The contractor will remove old paint and rust from the hydrants before priming them with grey paint. Hydrants will then be repainted with a fresh coat of yellow and green. All repainting will take about two months to finish, weather permitting. What to expect There are no impacts to traffic or water service during the repainting, but people can expect some noise from the paint removal work which is done using an air compressor and needle gun. The contractor has… Continue reading Some of Guelph’s fire hydrants are getting a new coat of paint this summer

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CPK Interior Products is a world-class manufacturing facility located in Guelph that produces automotive interiors. Continue reading Water Smart Business Program: CPK Interior Products is seeing results

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Guelph, Ont., July 9, 2024 – The City of Guelph has been recognized for its Natural Heritage Action Plan and featured in the recent United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals City Report (page 53). The report represents a national initiative that highlights the progress and efforts made by cities across Canada towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “This achievement highlights the City’s commitment to preserving and enhancing our natural heritage, as well as our dedication to creating a more environmentally sustainable and resilient community”, Terry Gayman, Acting Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, Infrastructure, Development and Environment Services, City of Guelph. The Natural Heritage Action Plan The City has outlined a comprehensive set of objectives that are set to guide the actions in the preservation and enhancement… Continue reading City of Guelph featured in United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals Cities Report

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The City of Guelph is currently marking public trees for removal later this year. Trees in parks and natural areas that are hazardous and ash trees infested and killed by the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) are being marked with an orange “X” to designate them for removal. Continue reading City currently marking ash and hazard trees for removal starting fall 2024

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City Council gave preliminary approval to three recommendations for Phase 2 of the City of Guelph’s Single-Use Items Reduction Strategy as part of the Solid Waste Management Master Plan (SWMMP). Continue reading Guelph set to further reduce single-use items

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The City of Guelph launched its Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) micro-grant program. Micro-grants range from $1,500 to $6,500 and are available for youth ages 15 to 24 to design and implement climate change solutions. Apply online by 4 p.m. on June 21, 2024. Continue reading Guelph opens micro-grant program for youth-led climate action

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The City is updating Guelph’s Private Tree Protection Bylaw and is asking the community to provide feedback on options for the update. Continue reading City shares options for updating Guelph’s private tree protection bylaw

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Notice of study completion The City of Guelph has prepared a Master Environmental Servicing Plan (MESP) for the Clair-Maltby Secondary Plan area following Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Schedule B). Based on the study findings and input from technical agencies, interested parties, and the public, the recommended servicing strategies for mobility, water, wastewater, and stormwater have been selected. The MESP identifies infrastructure required to service the future growth in the Clair-Maltby Secondary Plan area, while minimizing environmental impacts. The recommended MESP incorporates the comments received from the public and agencies during the study. Figure 1 – Clair-Maltby Secondary Plan Area (existing) Figure 2 – Clair-Maltby preferred servicing for water, wastewater, stormwater, mobility The main components are listed below. While the… Continue reading Clair-Maltby Secondary Plan, Master Environmental Servicing Plan and Comprehensive Environmental Impact Study

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Join us for a community tree planting event! Guelph, Ont., April 8, 2024 – The City of Guelph is cohosting its second annual Earth Day tree planting event in partnership with the Rotary Club of Guelph and Trees for Guelph. The event will feature an environmental fair with booths, food and entertainment. Event details Date: Saturday, April 27, rain or shine Location: Hanlon Creek Forest, 335 Laird Road. Parking (including for bikes) site access and environmental fair will be at this location. Time: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Trees, shovels, mulch, pails and planting instructions will all be provided. All you need to do is come out ready to plant! We’ll have our Water Wagon onsite so you can stay hydrated while you plant. Please… Continue reading Give back to the Earth for Earth Day

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The City of Guelph and Ontario Nature announced today that 274 hectares of City-owned conservation land now officially contribute towards Canada’s goal of protecting 30 percent of land and water by 2030.  Continue reading Guelph contributes 274 hectares of conservation land to Canada’s protected areas target

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Guelph, Ont., March 13, 2024 – We’re working to improve ecological health in our parks and natural areas by removing invasive plant species like buckthorn, Japanese knotweed, dog strangling vine and phragmites australis (also called common weed). Invasive species crowd out native species, threaten ecological integrity of parks and natural areas, and reduce habitat for wildlife. Removing both invasive species before they establish and spread protects our parks and natural areas.  Removals take place between the months of March to November using mechanical and herbicide methods. The work for each site takes three to five days to complete, weather permitting, and signs will be installed in each location during the treatment.   Please stay out of work areas when signs are present  Both Garlon™ and Roundup… Continue reading Invasive species removals coming to parks and natural areas starting this spring

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In 2022, Guelph Council approved a single-use items bylaw that banned plastic shopping bags and polystyrene foam containers and cups. At that time, Council also asked us to collect feedback from the community about paying fees for disposable cups and reusable bags. We appreciated the community feedback and having heard that some community members supported paying fees, we’re focusing on changes businesses and customers can make to reduce the amount of single-use item waste they generate.   We’re asking local food-service businesses to provide feedback on how they can support our waste reduction strategy. Specifically, how easy, or difficult it would be for businesses to:  accept a customer’s clean reusable cup and container,  offer in-restaurant dishware for dine-in drinks and food,  offer foodware accessories (e.g.,… Continue reading City of Guelph asks businesses to support waste reduction strategy

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Guelph, Ont., November 1, 2023 – The City of Guelph is excited to be the first municipality in Canada to be certified under the globally recognized ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management Systems Standard for its corporate-wide energy management system. As part of this system, the City has and continues to implement energy efficiency measures across more than 100 facilities including arenas, recreation centres and museums, libraries, fire stations, parks, water and wastewater treatment plants, and waste management facilities, and around 900 vehicles including ambulances, fire trucks, transit buses, snowplows, and rink ice resurfacers. By implementing an ISO 50001 standard compliant energy management system, the City is: Setting clear energy performance objectives and targets for the whole organization that support climate change mitigation efforts in everyday operations.… Continue reading City of Guelph first municipality in Canada to earn corporate-wide energy management certification

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Guelph, Ont., July 24, 2023 – Starting July 31, Guelph homeowners can apply for a zero-interest loan of up to $50,000 to help cover the costs of energy-efficient home retrofits from windows and doors, to heat pumps and solar-powered systems. The Guelph Greener Homes program is part of the City’s commitment to sustainability as it strives to become a net-zero carbon community by 2050 and win the Race to Zero. The loan program will help homeowners reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and support a future-ready Guelph while making homes more comfortable with money-saving, energy-efficient upgrades. “We all need to be part of the fight against climate change, and we know people in our community want to play their part,” says Bryan Ho-Yan, the City’s manager… Continue reading City of Guelph’s Greener Homes program launches July 31

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City calls on community to take action toward Race To Zero Guelph, Ont., June 9, 2023 – The City’s 2022 Environmental Sustainability Report highlights the outcomes, accomplishments, and opportunities for improvement across six key areas as the City makes strides in Guelph’s Race to Zero. “Our goal as a community is to be net-zero carbon by 2050 and we’re always thinking about energy efficiency and ways to reduce City carbon emissions to fight climate change,” says Jayne Holmes, deputy chief administrative officer, Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise Services. “We have to keep investing in the programs, services, and education that will make the most difference in our community and for our future, and we need the community to join us in the Race To Zero.” People… Continue reading Climate change mitigation efforts taking hold but more work needed to keep up the fight

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Funds will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make it easier for people to navigate local trails, sidewalks and paths Key facts The City is getting $1.7 million from the Government of Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program for upgrades to the heating, ventilation, air conditioning system at the West End Community Centre. The City is getting $420,000 from the Government of Canada’s Zero Emission Infrastructure Program to install 24 Level 2 fleet vehicle charging stations and four fast chargers for electric buses. The City is getting $50,000 from the Government of Canada’s Active Transportation Fund to support its active transportation wayfinding strategy. Media release Guelph, Ont., May 25, 2023 – Member of Parliament Lloyd Longfield announced this week that the City of Guelph… Continue reading City of Guelph receives over $2 million from Government of Canada for three climate change-related infrastructure projects

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Updated wastewater bypass standards provide more rigour to practice Guelph, Ont., February 9, 2023 – Today the City of Guelph resolved charges brought by the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks under the Ontario Water Resources Act (OWRA) related to two spills from a construction-related bypass failure in February 2019. The City pled guilty to one count of causing or permitting the discharge of sewage into a waterway under the OWRA and is paying a fine of $106,250, including the 25 per cent victim fine surcharge. “The spills, which happened during bypass operations for a City construction project, were caused by unique circumstances including extremely cold weather and malfunctioning equipment,” says Jayne Holmes, deputy chief administrative officer of Infrastructure, Development and Enterprise Services. “The City… Continue reading City of Guelph settles Crown charges over 2019 bypass spill

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Since the launch of the Southwest Guelph Water Supply Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) in September 2021, the City has initiated an Operational Testing Program. Continue reading Southwest Guelph Water Supply Class Environmental Assessment

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Guelph’s population is growing and the City is studying whether our local water resources can meet expected demand, particularly in southwest Guelph. Continue reading Notice of study commencement: Southwest Guelph Water Supply Class Environmental Assessment

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The City of Guelph has initiated a Municipal Class EA (Class EA) for improvements and modifications to the Macdonell and Allan structures. Continue reading Notice of study commencement: Macdonell and Allan Structures Municipal Class Environmental Assessment

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The City of Guelph has initiated a Municipal Class EA (Class EA) to confirm the required improvements to Wyndham Street North. Continue reading Notice of study commencement: Wyndham Street Municipal Class Environmental Assessment

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