News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
City and USask study rubber tire-derived chemicals in stormwater
October 1, 2021 - 4:02am
The City of Saskatoon (City) and University of Saskatchewan (USask) recently collaborated on a study to see if chemicals that leach from rubber tires are entering the stormwater system. Water that enters storm drains, through snowmelt or rain runoff, flows into the South Saskatchewan River.
“Chemicals from rubber tire leachate have been associated with mortalities in Coho salmon in Washington State,” says Markus Brinkmann, USask Assistant Professor, School of Environment and Sustainability. “However, we currently don’t know the effects on wildlife in our region. The results, in what we believe is the first study of its kind in a Canadian municipality, show high readings of the tire rubber related compounds in Saskatoon’s runoff.”
The findings are a result of samples taken from snow facilities, snowmelt puddles, and about a dozen outfall sites along the South Saskatchewan River within the city in 2019 and 2020. The study indicates the high concentrations may relate to occasional but intense rainstorms in the summer and snowmelt in the winter. Both types of events can lead to significant accumulation followed by sudden flushing of tire rubber chemicals from roads into the stormwater system.
Russ Munro, Director of Saskatoon Water, says further research is required to better understand the factors driving the findings.
“This is a great example of why continued research and partnerships with institutions like the University of Saskatchewan are so important. Saskatoon Water operates within the guidelines set out by the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency and we’ll work with them to determine what next steps should be.”
Munro points to positive City initiatives already in place that are designed to protect the environment from contents within stormwater. Initiatives include the annual street sweeping program, numerous storm ponds that help reduce contaminants and manage water runoff, and the new Snow Management Facility. Melt water from the Snow Management Facility runs through an oil and grit separator into a meltwater/stormwater pond. The meltwater then enters a series of specially designed barriers before being discharged in a controlled fashion into the stormwater system. The City also participates in the Yellow Fish Road Program to educate residents about the impact communities can have on water runoff.
The study has been supported through an Engage Grant of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Because the risks to species of fishes and aquatic organisms in the South Saskatchewan River are unknown, the USask team has submitted a grant application to dig deeper into the mechanisms of toxicity. Another joint application from USask and the City that focuses on detection of the compounds is being prepared.
The study has been published in the peer-reviewed Environmental Science & Technology Letters.
1st Avenue closed between King and Queen streets on Sunday
October 1, 2021 - 9:00am
1st Avenue will be closed between King and Queen streets on Sunday, October 3, at 7:00 a.m. for roadway patching work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around this work. This project is expected to take 10 hours to complete, barring any unforeseen circumstances or weather delays.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information is available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Rescheduled: 1st Avenue intersection closed at Princess Street starting Monday
October 1, 2021 - 8:00am
The intersection at 1st Avenue and Princess Street will be closed starting Monday, October 4, at 7:00 a.m. for roadway work. Princess Street will be closed between 1st Avenue and City Yards during this project. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around this work. This project is expected to take nine days to complete, barring any unforeseen circumstances or weather delays.
Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information is available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
Highway 16 intersection closures at Marquis Drive starting Saturday
October 1, 2021 - 7:00am
- Phase 1 – October 2, 5:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- The intersection at Highway 16 and Marquis Drive will be closed; and
- Highway 16 southbound median lane and left turn bay will be closed approaching Marquis Drive.
- Phase 2 – October 3, 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- The intersection at Highway 16 and Marquis Drive will be closed;
- Highway 16 northbound curb lane and left turn bay will closed approaching Marquis Drive; and
- Highway 16 southbound curb lane and left turn bay will be closed approaching Marquis Drive.
The intersection at Highway 16 and Marquis Drive will have closures starting Saturday, October 2, at 5:30 a.m. for roadway patching work.
Project details:
Detours will be in place guiding motorists around this work. This project is expected to take 2 days to complete, barring any unforeseen circumstances or weather delays.
Transit service alerts and real-time bus information is available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.
For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.
City to provide service level update for new waste diversion regulations for businesses
September 29, 2021 - 10:14am
On Monday, October 4, the Administration will present an information report to the Standing Policy Committee of Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services outlining the proposed service level and budget requirements to support the new waste diversion regulations for the Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) Sector.
The proposal aligns and expands on a January 2020 report to City Council. The program includes administration, education, and support to improve compliance and reduce the administrative burden on businesses. The annual operating cost of $284,000 for the program services would be considered in the City’s 2022-2023 budget process later this year.
“This is a good step forward in achieving our waste reduction and diversion target,” says Angela Gardiner, General Manager of Utilities and Environment. “By implementing the necessary service levels to support these programs, we expect to divert approximately 5,400 tonnes of recyclable and organic waste from the City’s landfill every year, extending its life by approximately 5%.”
At its meeting on August 30, 2021, City Council passed Bylaw No. 9775, The Waste Amendment Bylaw, 2021. With a phased-in approach beginning in 2022, all businesses and organizations will be required to have a separate container for recycling, and those that generate food or yard waste as part of their operations will be required to have a separate organics waste container.
The full report and attachments can be found here.
Progress updates and a decision history can be found at saskatoon.ca/iciwastediversion.