Report to / Rapport au:

Planning and Environment Committee

Comité de l'urbanisme et de l'environnement

and Council / et au Conseil

6 April 2010 / le 6 avril 2010

Submitted by/Soumis par:

Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager / Directeur municipal adjointe

Infrastructure Services & Community Sustainability / Services d’infrastructure et Viabilité des collectivités

Contact Person/Personne resource : Dixon Weir, General Manager/Directeur général

Environmental Services Department/Services environnementaux

613-580-2424 x 22002, dixon.weir@ottawa.ca

City Wide/À l’échelle de la Ville

Ref N°: ACS2010-ICS-ESD-0001

SUBJECT: PLAN FOR PROMOTING MUNICIPAL DRINKING WATER

OBJET: PLAN POUR LA PROMOTION DE L’EAU POTABLE MUNICIPALE

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

That the Planning and Environment Committee recommend Council approve the 5-year Plan for Promoting Municipal Drinking Water set out in this report.

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

Que le Comité de l’urbanisme et de l’environnement recommande que le Conseil approuve le plan quinquennal pour la promotion de l’eau potable municipale exposé dans le présent rapport.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report is in response to Planning and Environment Committee and Council direction to develop a program aimed at promoting the use of Ottawa’s world-class quality drinking water.

The City spends approximately $121 million annually to supply drinking water described by Ontario’s Chief Drinking Water Inspector as “one of the safest in the world”.[1] Through Committee and Council motions, it is clear Council wants to more effectively communicate the advantages of enjoying and promoting drinking water to its residents, and to ensure that access to City drinking water in municipal facilities is readily available. Increasing the use of tap water can also have the side-effects of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the amount of waste going to landfills, both 2007 – 2010 Strategic Plan objectives.

To establish a baseline of the public’s perception toward City of Ottawa drinking water and use habits, a telephone survey of ratepayers was carried out in fall 2009. Approximately 70% of Ottawa households surveyed are “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the quality and safety of the municipal drinking water supply.[2] However, the balance of those surveyed feel less than confident in the water supply, feel the need to treat it, or to buy bottled water for their domestic use.

As directed by Council, PEC Strategic Priorities 2009-2010: Alignment to Departmental Work Plans Report, tabled in June 2009, staff have prepared a five-year plan for improving public confidence in, and public access to, municipal drinking water.

The following five-year objectives address both “public confidence” and “public accessibility” issues.

Phase

Timing

Objectives

2009-2010

· Carryout promotional activities that raise awareness of the safety of the City’s drinking water supply.

· Improve access to municipal drinking water at public events.

· Implement water fountain improvements at indoor facilities.

2011-2013

· Continue and expand the promotion of City drinking water.

· Investigate opportunities to improve access at outdoor facilities.

· Implement measures that improve public access outdoors.

· Secure broad scale confidence in the municipal water supply.

RÉSUMÉ

Le présent rapport fait suite à la demande du Comité de l’urbanisme et de l’environnement, et du Conseil, d’élaborer un programme visant à promouvoir l’utilisation de l’eau potable d’Ottawa de qualité internationale.

La Ville dépense environ 121 millions de dollars par année pour fournir une eau potable décrite comme « l’une des plus sûres au monde »¹ par l’inspecteur en chef de l’eau potable de l’Ontario. Le Conseil veut communiquer plus efficacement ce fait aux résidents, encourager le public à utiliser l’eau potable municipale plutôt que l’eau vendue commercialement, et optimiser de cette façon l’utilisation du réseau d’aqueduc et les revenus nécessaires à son soutien. En outre, le Conseil aimerait faire en sorte que les gens aient facilement accès à l’eau municipale dans les installations de la municipalité.

Pour établir une base de référence sur l’impression du public à l’égard de l’eau potable de la Ville d’Ottawa et sur ses habitudes d’utilisation, on a effectué un sondage téléphonique auprès des contribuables à l’automne 2009. Environ 70 % des ménages d’Ottawa sondés sont « satisfaits » ou « très satisfaits » de la qualité et de la sûreté de l’approvisionnement en eau potable municipale². Toutefois, le reste des personnes sondées n’ont pas du tout confiance dans l’approvisionnement en eau, et éprouvent le besoin de traiter l’eau municipale, ou d’acheter de l’eau embouteillée pour l’utilisation domestique.

À cette fin, le personnel a préparé un plan quinquennal pour améliorer la confiance du public dans l’eau potable municipale, ainsi que son accès, selon la demande du rapport sur les Priorités stratégiques du CUE 2009‑2010 : harmonisation avec les plans de travail du Service déposé en juin 2009.

Les objectifs quinquennaux suivants abordent à la fois les enjeux « de confiance du public » et « d’accessibilité du public » de manière progressive.

Étape		Calendrier		Objectifs
1	2009‑2010		· Se livrer à des activités de promotion qui sensibilisent le public à la qualité de l’eau potable de la Ville. · Améliorer l’accès à l’eau potable municipale lors d’événements publics. · Améliorer les fontaines à eau potable dans les installations intérieures.
2	2011‑2013		· Poursuivre et accroître la promotion de l’eau potable municipale. · Examiner les possibilités d’améliorer l’accès dans les installations intérieures. · Mettre en place des mesures qui améliorent l’accès public à l’extérieur. · Obtenir la confiance du grand public dans l’approvisionnement en eau municipale.

BACKGROUND

In December 2007, Planning and Environment Committee passed a motion: that staff, in consultation with the City’s Environmental Working Group, develop a strategy to among other things:

· Reinstate water fountains and install new fountains in City of Ottawa facilities; and encourage citizens to drink tap water and encourage the use of public drinking fountains.

This report satisfies that direction, and helps fulfill objectives in the City 2007 – 2010 Strategic Plan aimed at reducing the amount of waste going to landfills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Also, in March 2009, Council approved Results of the Planning and Environment Committee Strategic Planning Session - Strategic Priorities for 2009-2010 (ACS2009-ICS-DCM-0001) that included the following priorities for the former Water and Wastewater Services Branch, and now the Environmental Services Department:

· Rebuild the brand; and

· Rebuild public trust.

In June 2009, the report PEC Strategic Priorities 2009-2010: Alignment to Departmental Work Plans was received by Planning and Environment Committee, which set out how staff proposed to meet the strategic priorities of the Committee. With respect to rebuilding the brand and trust in the public water supply, several items were proposed, including the following:

· Developing a comprehensive Strategic Communications Plan;

· Promoting the benefits of municipal drinking water during Drinking Water Week, at Doors Open and various Home Shows;

· Designing and implementing ads for buses, bus shelters and City vehicles;

· Developing and/or updating and distributing a variety of public information notices, education brochures and reports;

· Developing communications material appropriate for reinstatement of public tours at the water purification plants that target specific groups; and,

· Investigating the feasibility of using a travelling water tank for complimentary access to potable water for drinking and hand washing at outdoor events and festivals.

In order to direct efforts most effectively, in 2009 a survey of 702 households connected to the municipal water supply was conducted to determine attitudes towards, and use patterns of, City drinking water. Survey highlights are:

· Approximately two thirds of respondents felt that the City’s water supply is safe;

· Just over half of the households consume City water without further treatment (e.g. filtering);

· Almost half use a second source of drinking water in their homes (e.g. bottled water); and,

· Approximately one quarter cite concern about water quality as a reason for discomfort with using drinking water fountains, with cleanliness being the leading reason.

The City continues to hear from residents who want improved access to municipal drinking water as an alternative to single-use, packaged water. Councillors have heard that the community desires access to environmentally sustainable drinking water options when visiting community facilities and events. While drinking fountains exist at most facilities, there remains considerable opportunity for the City to improve access.

New fountains are typically added as part of new City facility construction, or when related complaints are received and budget permits installation. In 2009, only one such complaint was received regarding the lack of a water source. Conversely, water fountains are occasionally removed from service when serviced by older plumbing and/or when the fountain itself is found to be contributing to poorer water quality.

DISCUSSION / ANALYSIS

The following is Ottawa’s “Plan for Promoting Municipal Drinking Water”. The purpose of the Plan is to improve public confidence in the municipal water supply and to provide ready access to the municipal water supply where it is safe and reasonable to do so.

Goals

· Increase public confidence in the municipal drinking water supply.

· Optimize use of the municipal drinking water supply and increase revenues.

· Increase public access to the drinking water supply at municipal facilities.

Targets

Success of the plan is to be assessed using the following measurable targets:

Measurable Targets		Existing 2009[3]	2013 Target	Long-term Goal
1.	Percentage of Ottawa ratepayers that state that they are “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the quality of Ottawa’s municipal drinking water.	71.7%	80%	90%
2.	Percentage of Ottawa ratepayers that state that they are “confident” or “very confident” in the safety of Ottawa’s municipal water supply.	69.4%	80%	90%
3.	Percentage of Ottawa ratepayers that state that City water is their only source of household drinking water.	53.7%	65%	75%
4.	Percentage of Ottawa ratepayers that state that they would likely take municipal drinking water in a reusable drink container on an outing (e.g. jogging or car trip).	50.7%	65%	75%
5.	Percentage of Ottawa ratepayers that state that they do not further treat City water (e.g. by filtration) prior to consumption.	44.9%	55%	75%
6.	Percentage of Ottawa residents that state that they are “comfortable” or “very comfortable” using a municipal drinking fountain.[4]	Indoors 50.7% Outdoors 41.6%	60%

Implementation

The following sections identify the specific objectives of each phase, the activities to be carried out, the recommended timing and funding, and a description of work completed to date.

Phase 1 Objectives

· Carry out promotional activities that raise awareness of the safety of the City’s drinking water supply.

· Improve access to municipal drinking water at public events.

· Implement water fountain improvements at indoor facilities.

Timing: 2009-2010

Budget: $150,000 in 2009 and

$216,000 in 2010.[5]

Planned Activities/Status

A variety of activities were carried out in 2009 to achieve these objectives, specifically:

· Communication materials[6] were developed for use and distribution, including:

o Ads for bus boards, bus shelters, and City utility vehicles

o Updated Lead Pipe Replacement Program and Residential Protective Plumbing Program brochures

o “I drink tap water” buttons

o Newspaper ads

o Public Service Announcements

o News Releases

o Fact Sheets

o Children’s Activity books and quizzes

o “Drinking Water Week” posters displayed at all City facilities and Client Service Centres

o 2008 Annual Drinking Water Systems Reports

· The following events were held during Drinking Water Week, 03-09 May 2009:

o Proclamation from the Mayor;

o Media kick-off and tour of the Lemieux Island Water Purification Plant filtration expansion project;

o Library displays at each of the 33 public libraries; and,

o New webpage on Ottawa.ca;

· The City hosted Doors Open at Britannia Water Purification Plant, with over 1,300 attending the weekend of 06-07 June 2009;

· A booth was staffed at the spring and fall Home Shows and several other public events held over the course of the year;

· Over 1,800 water efficiency kits and leak detection dye tabs were distributed;

· City Briefs notices to promote use of municipal water supply with City staff;

· Consulted with other jurisdictions regarding the alternative approaches to providing mobile complimentary access to potable water for drinking at outdoor events and festivals;

· A baseline survey was completed for future program evaluation; and

· An inventory of water fountains was taken at City facilities. Most facilities have fountains; however, a list of City-owned buildings was developed for further consideration in 2010.

Additional activities planned for 2010 include the following:

· Purchase two water trailers along with associated vehicles to serve as an Ottawatermobile for use at the City’s many outdoor festivals and events;

· Promote availability of the Ottawatermobile amongst festival organizers;

· Reinstate public tours of the Britannia Water Purification Plant, including:

o Develop communications material that targets specific tour groups;

o Retain a plant tour coordinator/guide;

· Create a video that informs the public of the work we do, and illustrates the water cycle from sky to river for use at Home Shows and other events;

· Purchase and supply City of Ottawa refillable water bottles;

· Review opportunities for the redesign the City of Ottawa’s Water website for usability and functionality, as well as currency of information; and

· Install new drinking fountains at a limited number of high visibility, high priority facilities in 2011.

Phase 2 Objectives

· Continue and expand the promotion of City drinking water.

· Investigate opportunities to improve access at outdoor facilities.

· Implement measures that improve public access outdoors.

· Secure broad scale confidence in the municipal drinking water supply.

Timing: 2011-2013

Budget: $790,000[7] over 3 years

Planned Activities

The following activities are planned for Phase 2, but are subject to future budget approval.

· Review City standards and specifications to ensure that fountains are installed in all new facilities in appropriate locations and number; that the units are a functionally attractive option; and that their design allows for the filling of reusable water containers.

· Investigate the quality of the existing outdoor drinking fountain network, and assess opportunities for improvement.

· Develop an “Outdoor Drinking Fountain Strategy” that targets key areas of the City requiring improved service or access, and bring forward funding request to implement.

· Implement “Outdoor Drinking Fountain Strategy” on a priority location basis, as funding permits.

· Promote water fountain use.

· Sustain other promotional activities.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

Encouraging and facilitating the use of municipal drinking water in lieu of single-use water bottles allows for greater energy efficiency in the delivery of water to consumers; and a reduction in the solid waste generated from single-use containers.

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

The strategy accounts for situations in City facilities in rural areas where drinking fountains and other reasonable alternatives to single use water bottles do not exist.

CONSULTATION / PUBLIC NOTIFICATION

The proposed strategy was presented to the Environmental Advisory Committee. Given that the strategy targets City Staff and City facilities, broader public consultation was not completed.

COMMENTS BY THE WARD COUNCILLOR(S)

This report is City Wide, Councillors were not consulted.

LEGAL/RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATION

Not applicable.

CITY STRATEGIC PLAN

By promoting the use of City drinking water and thereby reducing the use of single use packaged water, the City would be advancing the City’s Solid Waste and the Environment Priority, Objective 1: Reduce residential dependence on landfills/dumps by 30 per cent within 1,000 days.

Further, by promoting and improving access to the City’s readily available, high quality drinking water, the City would also be contributing to Objective 3: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 20 per cent by 2012.

TECHNICAL IMPLICATIONS

This report has no technical implications.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATION

Phase 1 costs for 2010 in the amount of $216,000 are included in the 2010 Rate Budget. Phase 2 costs totalling $790,000 over three years will be included and identified in the 2011 through 2013 Draft Rate and Tax Budgets.

Over time, a portion of these costs should be recovered due to increased revenues associated with increased use of the municipal water supply as people choose City water in favour of commercial water sources.

From a consumer’s point-of-view, increased availability and reliance on the City’s high quality drinking water, will allow consumers to avoid higher cost alternatives. As an example, filling 1,000 500 ml re-usable water containers will only cost approximately $1.40.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Document 1 – Key Findings of the 2009 Residential Water Use Survey

DISPOSITION

· Environmental Services Department in partnership with Corporate Communications Branch will carryout the promotion activities identified herein.

· Public Works Department will complete the water fountain installations, prepare an Outdoor Drinking Fountain Strategy and carryout any improvements thereunder as approved by Council.

[1] Ministry of the Environment Chief Drinking Water Inspector Annual Report 2006-2007, issued 23 June 2008.

[2] Refer to the City of Ottawa 2009 Water Use Survey Report, CRG 09-173.

[3] Findings of the City of Ottawa 2009 Water Use Survey Report, CRG 09-173.

[4] The difference in comfort levels between the use of indoor and outdoor fountains may be attributable to a combination of factors such as: a) there are very few outdoor fountains in the City, therefore survey results may be more theoretical than experiential; b) housekeeping staff are present at indoor facilities to allow for timely identification and redress of problems; and c) outdoor unsupervised areas are subject to greater vandalism.

[5] This includes $100k for promotion, $34k for water trucks and trailers; and $82k for staffing (one new Outreach Officer and six summer students to operate water trailer.)

[6] Some of these items were funded in part by other sources.

[7] This includes $600k for promotion 2011-2013; $100k for the installation of new indoor fountains; $75k for an outdoor fountain feasibility study; and $15k for review of fountain design specifications.