Item - 2021.IE23.6
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on July 14, 2021 with amendments.
- This item was considered by Infrastructure and Environment Committee on July 5, 2021 and was adopted with amendments. It will be considered by City Council on July 14, 2021.
- See also By-law 1063-2021
IE23.6 - Water Users Consultation on Water Fees, Charges and Programs
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on July 14, 15 and 16, 2021, adopted the following:
1. City Council amend the City of Toronto's Capacity Buyback Program eligibility criteria, effective January 1, 2022, to include:
a. customers whose property, or a portion thereof, is assessed on the annual returned assessment roll in the industrial property tax class (industrial customers), solely for the purpose of Parts 1.b. and 1.c. below;
b. the provision of one free water audit to industrial customers who have an annual water consumption of no more than 15,000 cubic metres per year; and
c. the provision of the one-time cash incentive for eligible permanent water savings measures to industrial customers who have an annual water consumption of no more than 5,000 cubic metres per year.
2. City Council delegate the authority to the General Manager, Toronto Water to continue to establish, implement, administer and monitor the Capacity Buyback Program, including all related Capacity Buyback Program policies and procedures, and to make any future changes to the Capacity Buyback Program's eligibility criteria as the General Manager, Toronto Water considers appropriate, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Toronto Water, subject to the requirement that any such future changes to the eligibility criteria for the Capacity Buyback Program be reported annually through Toronto Water's Capital Budget submission.
3. City Council authorize the General Manager, Toronto Water to continue to prescribe any City form required for the Capacity Buyback Program and to amend or revise such forms from time to time.
4. City Council amend City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter Section 849-9, Water and Sewage Services and Utility Bill, Annual verification of water consumption and sewage discharge as necessary, with respect to the Sewer Surcharge Rebate Program, effective January 1, 2022, to include the option of a tri-annual verification of water consumption and sewage discharge for Sewer Surcharge Rebate Program participants that meet the following requirements:
a. a participant has process metering at their facility;
b. a participant who is in arrears with regard to payments for water rates or sewer surcharges would not be entitled to the exemption; and
c. the percentage of water consumption and sewage discharge reported by the Sewer Surcharge Rebate Program participant in the preceding two annual verifications of water consumption and sewage discharge did not vary greater than 10 per cent year to year.
5. City Council authorize the General Manager, Toronto Water to undertake a review and stakeholder consultation on the Sewers By-law and Toronto Water's Pollution Prevention Program in relation to:
a. the potential use of risk-based thresholds for subject pollutant reporting;
b. evaluating the use of existing stormwater limits as potential threshold values; and
c. identifying emerging pollutants to be considered as subject pollutants.
6. City Council request the General Manager, Toronto Water to:
a. collaborate with the Chief Communications Officer and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority to explore opportunities to improve the sharing of information about stormwater reduction with residents, businesses and communities;
b. expand web-based information and social media tips and resources on actions that property owners can take to reduce stormwater on their properties (e.g., implementing green infrastructure such as permeable pavement, bioswales, rain gardens, rain barrels, tree planting, etc.) to supplement current information on the City of Toronto's Managing Water Around the House web page; and
c. work with the Director, Environment and Energy to incorporate stormwater reduction information on the City of Toronto's web pages such as BetterHomesTO.
7. City Council authorize the General Manager, Toronto Water and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer to consult with City water stakeholders, including residential, multi-residential, institutional, commercial and industrial customers, on the possible changes to water rates, fees and charges on the following:
a. the possible implementation of an administrative water charge;
b. the possible implementation of a stormwater charge for all property classes, based on a review of the stormwater charge implementation plan considered by City Council in 2017; and
c. the possible implementation of a stormwater charge credits program to incentivize improved stormwater management practices on large properties.
8. City Council direct the General Manager, Toronto Water to report back in the fourth quarter of 2022 to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee on the outcome of the Sewers By-law and Toronto Water's Pollution Prevention Program review and stakeholder consultation and any recommended changes to the Sewers By-law following completion.
9. City Council direct the General Manager, Toronto Water and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer to report back to the Executive Committee on the outcome of the consultation of City water stakeholders, in the second quarter of 2023 following completion, on the possible implementation of an administrative water charge and stormwater charge and credits program for all property classes.
10. City Council authorize the necessary amendments to City of Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 849, Water and Sewage Services and Utility Bill and any other necessary Municipal Code Chapters as may be required to give effect to City Council's decision.
11. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce any necessary Bills required to give effect to City Council's decision and authorize the City Solicitor to make any necessary clarifications, refinements, including stylistic, format and organization, minor modifications, technical amendments or By-law amendments as may be identified by the City Solicitor, the General Manager, Toronto Water and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-168645.pdf
Attachment 1 - Summary of Consultation Feedback and Assessment of Options; Attachment 2 - Round 1 Consultation Report; Attachment 3 - Round 2 Consultation Report; and Attachment 4 - I&C Stormwater Charge Option - Property Impact Examples
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-168731.pdf
Background Information (City Council)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-169264.pdf
Attachment 1: Stormwater Management Incentive Programs in Municipal Jurisdictions
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/cc/bgrd/backgroundfile-169265.pdf
Communications (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ie/comm/communicationfile-134191.pdf
(June 29, 2021) E-mail from Councillor Mike Layton, submitting a Report on Urban Stormwater Fees - How to Pay for What We Need (IE.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ie/comm/communicationfile-134192.pdf
(June 30, 2021) Letter from Geoff van der Lee, Implementation Director and Deputy Project Director, Crosslinx Transit Solutions - Constructors (IE.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ie/comm/communicationfile-134194.pdf
(July 2, 2021) E-mail from Fatima Correia, Chair, Toronto Industry Network Water Group (IE.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ie/comm/communicationfile-134318.pdf
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Councillor Mike Layton, submitting a Report on Balancing the books Financial Sustainability for Canadian Water Systems (IE.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ie/comm/communicationfile-134340.pdf
(July 5, 2021) Letter from Diana Yoon, Climate Specialist, Toronto Environmental Alliance (IE.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ie/comm/communicationfile-134342.pdf
Communications (City Council)
Motions (City Council)
That City Council request the General Manager, Toronto Water to:
a. collaborate with the Chief Communications Officer and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority to explore opportunities to improve the sharing of information about stormwater reduction with residents, businesses and communities;
b. expand web-based information and social media tips and resources on actions that property owners can take to reduce stormwater on their properties (e.g. implementing green infrastructure such as permeable pavement, bioswales, rain gardens, rain barrels, tree planting, etc.) to supplement current information on the City of Toronto's Managing Water Around the House web page; and
c. work with the Director, Environment and Energy to incorporate stormwater reduction information on the City of Toronto's web pages such as BetterHomesTO.
That:
1. City Council amend Infrastructure and Environment Committee Recommendation 7 so that it now reads as follows:
7. City Council authorize the General Manager, Toronto Water, and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to consult with City water stakeholders, including residential, multi-residential, institutional, commercial and industrial customers, on the possible changes to water rate, fees and charges on the following implementation of an administrative water charge beginning in the fall of 2021 and throughout the winter of 2022:
a. the possible implementation of an administrative water charge;
b. the possible implementation of a stormwater charge for all property classes, based on a review of the stormwater charge implementation plan considered by City Council in 2017; and
c. the possible implementation of a stormwater charge credits program to incentivize improved stormwater management practices on large properties.
2. City Council amend Infrastructure and Environment Committee Recommendation 8 so that it now reads as follows:
8. City Council direct the General Manager, Toronto Water, and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to report back to the Executive Committee on the outcome of the consultation of the City water stakeholder consultation, in the second quarter of 2023 following completion, on the possible implementation of an administrative water charge and stormwater charge and credits program for all property classes in mid-year 2022 following completion.
Vote (Amend Item) Jul-16-2021 3:13 PM
Result: Carried | Majority Required - IE23.6 - Layton - motion 1 |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 13 | Members that voted Yes are Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Mike Colle, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Frances Nunziata (Chair), Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
Total members that voted No: 11 | Members that voted No are Paul Ainslie, Gary Crawford, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Stephen Holyday, Cynthia Lai, Denzil Minnan-Wong, James Pasternak, Jaye Robinson, Michael Thompson, John Tory |
Total members that were Absent: 2 | Members that were absent are Shelley Carroll, Nick Mantas |
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Jul-16-2021 3:15 PM
Result: Carried | Majority Required - IE23.6 - Adopt the Item as amended |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 21 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Mike Colle, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Jaye Robinson, Michael Thompson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
Total members that voted No: 3 | Members that voted No are Gary Crawford, Stephen Holyday, Anthony Perruzza |
Total members that were Absent: 2 | Members that were absent are Shelley Carroll, Nick Mantas |
Vote (Adopt Item as Amended) Jul-16-2021 3:17 PM
Result: Carried | Majority Required - IE23.6 - Adopt the Item as amended - REVOTE |
---|---|
Total members that voted Yes: 21 | Members that voted Yes are Paul Ainslie, Ana Bailão, Brad Bradford, Mike Colle, Joe Cressy, John Filion, Paula Fletcher, Michael Ford, Mark Grimes, Cynthia Lai, Mike Layton, Josh Matlow, Jennifer McKelvie, Denzil Minnan-Wong, Frances Nunziata (Chair), James Pasternak, Gord Perks, Anthony Perruzza, Jaye Robinson, John Tory, Kristyn Wong-Tam |
Total members that voted No: 2 | Members that voted No are Gary Crawford, Stephen Holyday |
Total members that were Absent: 3 | Members that were absent are Shelley Carroll, Nick Mantas, Michael Thompson |
IE23.6 - Water Users Consultation on Water Fees, Charges and Programs
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Amended
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:
1. City Council amend the City's Capacity Buyback Program eligibility criteria, effective January 1, 2022, to include:
a. customers whose property, or a portion thereof, is assessed on the annual returned assessment roll in the industrial property tax class (industrial customers), solely for the purpose of Parts 1b. and 1c. below;
b. the provision of one free water audit to industrial customers who have an annual water consumption of no more than 15,000 cubic metres per year; and
c. the provision of the one-time cash incentive for eligible permanent water savings measures to industrial customers who have an annual water consumption of no more than 5,000 cubic metres per year.
2. City Council delegate the authority to the General Manager, Toronto Water, to continue to establish, implement, administer, and monitor the Capacity Buyback Program including all related Capacity Buyback Program policies and procedures, and to make any future changes to the Capacity Buyback Program eligibility criteria as the General Manager, Toronto Water, considers appropriate on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager, Toronto Water, subject to the requirement that any such future changes to the eligibility criteria for the Capacity Buyback Program be reported annually through Toronto Water’s Capital Budget submission.
3. City Council authorize the General Manager, Toronto Water to continue to prescribe any City form required for the Capacity Buyback Program Program, and to amend or revise such forms from time to time.
4. City Council amend Municipal Code Chapter Section 849-9 - Water and Sewage Services and Utility Bill, Annual verification of water consumption and sewage discharge as necessary, with respect to the Sewer Surcharge Rebate Program, effective January 1, 2022, to include the option of a tri-annual verification of water consumption and sewage discharge for Sewer Surcharge Rebate Program participants that meet the following requirements:
a. a participant has process metering at their facility;
b. a participant who is in arrears with regard to payments for water rates or sewer surcharges would not be entitled to the exemption; and
c. the percentage of water consumption and sewage discharge reported by the Sewer Surcharge Rebate Program participant in the preceding two annual verifications of water consumption and sewage discharge did not vary greater than 10 per cent year to year.
5. City Council authorize the General Manager, Toronto Water to undertake a review and stakeholder consultation on the Sewers By-law and Toronto Water's Pollution Prevention Program in relation to:
a. the potential use of risk-based thresholds for subject pollutant reporting;
b. evaluating the use of existing stormwater limits as potential threshold values; and
c. identifying emerging pollutants to be considered as subject pollutants.
6. City Council direct the General Manager, Toronto Water, to report back in the fourth quarter of 2022 to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee on the outcome of the Sewers By-law and Toronto Water's Pollution Prevention Program review and stakeholder consultation and any recommended changes to the Sewers By-law following completion.
7. City Council authorize the General Manager, Toronto Water, and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to consult with City water stakeholders, including residential, multi-residential, institutional, commercial and industrial customers, on the possible implementation of an administrative water charge beginning in the fall of 2021 and throughout the winter of 2022.
8. City Council direct the General Manager, Toronto Water, and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to report back to the Executive Committee on the outcome of the consultation of the City water stakeholder consultation on the possible implementation of an administrative water charge in mid-year 2022 following completion.
9. City Council authorize the necessary amendments to Municipal Code Chapter 849 – Water and Sewage Services and Utility Bill, and any other necessary Municipal Code Chapters as may be required, to give effect to City Council's decision.
10. City Council authorize the City Solicitor to introduce any necessary Bills required to give effect to City Council's decision and authorize the City Solicitor to make any necessary clarifications, refinements, including stylistic, format and organization, minor modifications, technical amendments or By-law amendments as may be identified by the City Solicitor, the General Manager, Toronto Water, and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture.
Decision Advice and Other Information
The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:
1. Requested the General Manager, Toronto Water to submit a supplementary report to the July 14, 2021 City Council meeting, outlining:
a. possibilities for an enhanced information campaign regarding stormwater reduction;
b. possibilities for an incentives program related to stormwater reduction; and
c. required timelines for public consultation for a City-wide (all properties, including charge for residents, commercial and industrial) review for stormwater charge.
Origin
Summary
This report presents the outcomes of consultation with water users ("Consultation") on water fees, charges and programs designed to support business retention, economic growth, investment and employment and the goals of the City's Resilience Strategy.
The Consultation was a multi-divisional initiative led by Toronto Water and Economic Development and Culture in collaboration with staff in the Office of the Controller, and the Policy Planning Finance and Administration Division. Staff in Revenue Services, Technology Services, City Planning, and Environment and Energy Division were consulted in this initiative.
The Consultation comprised two rounds in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 at which options to support the economic competitiveness of industrial and commercial customers, the City's Resilience Strategy goals, administrative efficiency, water conservation and broader environmental objectives were presented. Consultation participants included industrial, commercial and institutional customers, environmental not-for-profit organizations, academia, and the consulting sector.
A broad range of options was developed by City staff and consulted upon based on City Council's prior direction and a review of best practices in other municipal jurisdictions on the following topics:
- current support programs for industrial, commercial and institutional customers;
- current policies and practices under Municipal Code Chapter 681, Sewers (Sewers By-law) with a view to achieving further administrative efficiencies;
- an administrative water charge;
- the possible decoupling of industrial and commercial customers’ costs associated with stormwater management from the water rate;
- a possible dedicated stormwater charge for owners of commercial parking lots;
- stormwater management incentives for industrial and commercial customers.
The options were assessed for cost impacts to water customers, City operational and capital costs and savings, resilience and environmental benefits, and implementation requirements. The findings of the options assessment were presented in the second round of Consultation.
Based on the Consultation feedback and the outcomes of the options assessment, this report recommends certain changes to Toronto Water's current support programs for industrial, commercial and institutional customers which will streamline program administration, support water efficiency for customers, and provide the opportunity for additional cost savings to participating water customers. Recommended changes include offering the Capacity Buyback Program's one-time free water audit and/or one-time cash incentive to certain industrial customers and incorporating a free desktop water audit in the Capacity Buyback Program's offerings to eligible participants.
In addition, for the Sewer Surcharge Rebate (SSR) Program for customers utilizing process metering satisfactory to the General Manager, Toronto Water, it is recommended that they be provided the option of a tri-annual verification of their water consumption and sewage discharge, instead of the annual verification of water consumption and sewage discharge currently required under Section 849-9. of the Municipal Code.
With respect to the Sewers By-law, this report identifies certain measures which will promote Sewers By-law compliance, help achieve increased administrative efficiencies and provide potential additional cost savings to eligible customers. Specifically, it is recommended that Toronto Water develop a Sewers By-law Navigation Guide and undertake a review of the Schedule 1 limits set out in the Industrial Waste Surcharge Agreement. In addition, this report recommends further stakeholder consultation on the potential development of risk-based reporting thresholds for subject pollutants as part of a broader, future review of the Sewers By-law and Toronto Water's Pollution Prevention Program.
This report also provides the findings of an assessment (benefits, costs, implementation requirements) of water fees, charges and stormwater management incentive options considered through the Consultation. These options include an administrative water charge, the possible decoupling of industrial and commercial customers’ costs for stormwater management from the water rate through a dedicated stormwater charge for industrial and commercial properties, a stormwater charge for owners of commercial parking lots, and stormwater management incentives for industrial and commercial customers. This report recommends the City undertake consultation with all water customer classes on the potential establishment of an administrative water charge.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-168645.pdf
Attachment 1 - Summary of Consultation Feedback and Assessment of Options; Attachment 2 - Round 1 Consultation Report; Attachment 3 - Round 2 Consultation Report; and Attachment 4 - I&C Stormwater Charge Option - Property Impact Examples
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ie/bgrd/backgroundfile-168731.pdf
Communications
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ie/comm/communicationfile-134191.pdf
(June 29, 2021) E-mail from Councillor Mike Layton, submitting a Report on Urban Stormwater Fees - How to Pay for What We Need (IE.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ie/comm/communicationfile-134192.pdf
(June 30, 2021) Letter from Geoff van der Lee, Implementation Director and Deputy Project Director, Crosslinx Transit Solutions - Constructors (IE.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ie/comm/communicationfile-134194.pdf
(July 2, 2021) E-mail from Fatima Correia, Chair, Toronto Industry Network Water Group (IE.Supp)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ie/comm/communicationfile-134318.pdf
(July 5, 2021) E-mail from Councillor Mike Layton, submitting a Report on Balancing the books Financial Sustainability for Canadian Water Systems (IE.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ie/comm/communicationfile-134340.pdf
(July 5, 2021) Letter from Diana Yoon, Climate Specialist, Toronto Environmental Alliance (IE.New)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ie/comm/communicationfile-134342.pdf
Speakers
Paul Scrivner, Toronto Industry Network
Diana Yoon, Toronto Environmental Alliance (TEA)
Motions
That Infrastructure and Environment Committee amend Recommendations 7 and 8 to read as follows:
"7. City Council authorize the General Manager, Toronto Water, and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to consult with City water stakeholders, including residential, multi-residential, institutional, commercial and industrial customers on possible changes to water rates, fees and charges, beginning in the fall of 2021 and throughout the winter of 2022, to include consideration of the following:
a. the possible implementation of an administrative water charge;
b. the possible implementation of a stormwater charge for all property classes, based on a review of the stormwater charge implementation plan considered by City Council in 2017; and
c. the possible implementation of a stormwater charge credits program to incentivize improved stormwater management practices on large properties.
8. City Council direct the General Manager, Toronto Water, and the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to report back to Executive Committee on the outcome of the consultation of the City water stakeholder consultation, in mid-year 2022 following completion, on the possible implementation of an administrative water charge and a stormwater charge and credits program for all property classes."
That the Infrastructure and Environment Committee:
1. Request the General Manager, Toronto Water provide a supplemental report prior to the July 14, 2021 City Council meeting, outlining:
a. possibilities for an enhanced information campaign regarding stormwater reduction;
b. possibilities for an incentives program related to stormwater reduction; and
c. required timelines for public consultation for City-wide (all properties, including charge for residents, commercial and industrial) review for stormwater charge.