Item - 2016.PW10.6

The Public Works and Infrastructure Committee:

1.  Directed the General Manager, Toronto Water to undertake a review of chemicals that could be added as Subject Pollutants in the Sewers By-law (Municipal Code Chapter 681-Sewers) because these chemicals could impact the Toronto wastewater treatment plant operations. The review is to start in the fourth quarter of 2016 with a report back to the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee in 2017.

In 2016, Toronto Water is planning to remove six chemicals from the Subject Pollutants list in the Sewers By-law that have already been banned by other levels of government.

Since revisions to the chemicals listed as Subject Pollutants in the bylaw are already on staff's agenda, I'm requesting that Toronto Water conduct a full review of the list and report back on additional chemicals of concern that may be impacting our wastewater treatment plant operations and, as a result, should be added to the list.

Our water is constantly recycled and becomes our drinking water. That's why we need to reduce chemical use and reduce the contamination of wastewater.

The Subject Pollutants list is a living document that is modified and amended as needed. As of January 1, 2014, Hexavalent Chromium was formally added as the 39th Subject Pollutant.

As we enter 2016, a comprehensive review of the list is timely and a key part of keeping our bylaws up-to-date and striving to reduce pollution at the source. It will also ensure that our city is keeping up with the best practices and regulatory mechanisms of other levels of government.

I consulted with staff from Toronto Water's Environmental Monitoring & Protection Unit in drawing up this motion, and they are supportive.