An environmentally-friendly rebate may get flushed down the toilet.
Since 2008, the city has been giving rebates on utility bills for those who have installed low-flow toilets.
Environmental Services manager Tom Warder said the program has been a hit with residents, but it’s been pricey, too. It costs about $60,000 annually and was set up to be a $200,000 program in total.
“I think the citizens have taken advantage of it and it’s raised awareness about low-flow toilets,” Warder said.
But he wonders if it needs to continue since low-flow toilets are becoming the norm. Warder said it will be up to city council to decide whether they want to continue the program. They could remove the $60,000 from the department’s operational budget for 2011.
During a review of the Environmental Services budget on Thursday, Councillor Chris Stephan wondered why the city wouldn’t reduce the garbage bag limit to three from five, since the average bag amount per household is 2.8.
“We will be looking at this — it’s been identified in our Environmental Master Plan,” said Warder. “And it will be studied in further detail in our Waste Management Plan, which we’re planning to do this year. I suspect that we will reduce the bag limit at some point . . . it will involve some public consultation.”
The department’s proposed base budget for 2011 is $626,530 (expenditures at $67.1 million and revenues at $66.48 million).
Warder has asked for an additional $50,000 towards implementing action priorities within the Environmental Master Plan when it’s finished. Those actions would help protect natural features.
The requested dollars would also be used for the ICLEI (International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives) initiative. Red Deer was one of 15 Canadian communities chosen to develop an adaptation plan for climate change. The two-year plan will look at things like how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at municipal facilities.
As well, Warder has requested an additional $85,000 for storm water main clearing in the downtown area. A large one-km line near Gaetz Avenue downtown has a lot of silt and debris that needs to be cleaned out during warm weather.
A contractor will be needed to clean the big line with specialized equipment and the city will help finish the work, Warder said.
“Traffic will be accommodated as best we can,” he said. “I don’t foresee traffic closures, but restrictions and detours.”
Also for 2011, the department is looking at expanding ways to divert construction waste from the landfill.
The city hopes to reduce water consumption on a per capita basis by 20 per cent from 2006 to 2016.
Also on tap for 2011 — a river study to evaluate the city’s pollution impact on the Red Deer River. It’s expected to finish in 2014.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com