thunder bay, ontario
Protect Water Resources and Coastlines
Back to the Tap Campaign
The City of Thunder Bay has launched an educational campaign aimed at raising awareness of the high quality of our municipal water source as part of their annual Water Management Program that focuses on the wise use of water. The Back to the Tap Campaign is delivered by EcoSuperior Environmental Programs, and has included high-profile blind water taste-tests, as well as the commissioning of a Water Bar. The Water Bar is made available at City events, and loaned out to large community festivals and events to provide a reusable water-bottle-filling station and reduce the use of bottled water.
Low-Flush Toilets to Conserve Lake Superior's Water
The City of Thunder Bay has a rebate program for residential and commercial water customers to install an Ultra Low Flush Toilet that has been highly successful. The program is delivered by EcoSuperior Environmental Programs who provide a home visit to measure the existing toilet that is to be replaced. The toilet is then replaced with a ULFT model, purchased by the homeowner and installed by a certified plumber, and the homeowner submits their follow-up paperwork to receive a $125 rebate on their water bill. This program not only reduces water consumption, it also creates business for local plumbers.
http://www.ecosuperior.org/article/toilet-replacement-rebate-program-141.asp
Elimination of Chlorine in Disinfection Process
The City of Thunder Bay has eliminated the use of chlorine during the disinfection season. An ultra-violet disinfection system was designed to disinfect the final effluent from the plant on a seasonal basis. This system uses state of the art ultra-violet irradiation. No chlorine is used. Annual chlorine discharge went from 12,850 kilograms to zero.
Treat Backwash Water to Prevent Pollution
The City of Thunder Bay has ensured that no backwash water enters the lake untreated. The Bare Point Water Treatment Plant was purposely designed to send backwashes, from the cleaning of the ultra filtration membranes, directly to the Atlantic Avenue Water Pollution Control Plant via the sewer system. Backwash treatment has eliminated 21 million kilograms of suspended solids to Lake Superior.Promote Low-Carbon Energy Generation and Consumption
Bike Racks on Buses
The City of Thunder Bay installed bike racks on their bus fleet in 2009. The bike racks had 7290 uses in the first year.
Active Transportation Plan and Bikelanes
The City of Thunder Bay has painted its first 10kms of dedicated bike-lanes and shared-lanes on city streets. The lanes are a pilot project leading to the implementation of the Active Transportation Plan. http://www.thunderbay.ca/Living/Getting_Around/Active_Transportation.htm
Greening of the Fleet Implementation Plan
The City of Thunder Bay, Fleet Services Division developed a plan to guide the reductions of greenhouse gas emissions (eC02) in Corporate Fleet , from the 2005 baseline emissions by the year 2016 as noted in the Community Environmental Action Plan. Emissions reductions are recommended through changes in fuels, vehicles, and use efficiencies. Benefits can be measured in terms of social, economic and environmental benefits, such as improved energy efficiency, reduced traffic on city roads, cleaner air and reduced GHG emissions contributing to a better quality of life, and reducing health care costs in the long term.
This Green Fleet Implementation Plan makes a contribution to the Government of Ontario and Canada's commitment to reduce harmful vehicle emissions.
Energy Reductions
The City of Thunder Bay, has committed to a goal "To reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the wise use of energy, and to promote the transition to a carbon-neutral future." An aggressive objective to reduce total energy usage by 35 % within the Corporation of the City of Thunder Bay, and 10% within the community at large, below 2005 levels by 2017 has been approved by City Council. See Energy section in the Community Environmental Action Plan and in the Earthwise Annual Report 2009 for the myriad of ways this is being accomplished.http://www.thunderbay.ca/Living/Environment/EarthWise_Thunder_Bay/EarthWise_Annual_Report.htm
Adopt Green Land Use and Planning
EarthWise Community Environmental Action Plan
The EarthWise Community Environmental Action Plan (CEAP) is Thunder Bay's first Integrated Community Sustainability Plan. EarthWise is a partnership between the City of Thunder Bay and the community with the goal of implementing the CEAP. The CEAP was written through a public engagement process that saw hundreds of local people involved. The CEAP was adopted by City Council in 2008 and the City of Thunder Bay, along with the EarthWise Working Groups and EarthWise Community Partners is working hard to implement the recommendations of the plan. (See the Land Use and Green Building sections to specifically relate to this section):
http://www.thunderbay.ca/Living/Environment/EarthWise_Thunder_Bay/Green_Building.htm
Encourage Green Economic Development
ReNew Thunder Bay
The City of Thunder Bay has developed a five-year incremental capital plan to enhance their quality of life and grow their economy through targeted and highly leveraged strategic infrastructure investments that will see an additional $130 million invested in their infrastructure by the year 2014. The City recognizes that municipal infrastructure is critical to the competitiveness of economy, delivery of services and quality of life. As a City serving large and diverse geographic region, they are striving for a more diverse economy and a cleaner, greener, more beautiful community. With this in mind, they have identified a City-Wide Multiuse Trail System as a major capital project, and environmental "Green City Projects" for a multi-year capital program.
http://www.thunderbay.ca/City_Government/News_and_Strategic_Initiatives/Renew_Thunder_Bay.htm