Tuesday April 22nd, 20087:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Rainbow Cinemas
Join us at the Rainbow Cinemas in Downtown Sudbury on Earth Day for an evening of environmentally themed films. We have selected 5 films from the vast list available from the Planet In Focus International Environmental Film & Video Festival. www.planetinfocus.org
Tickets are $8.00.
To get yours go to the Black Cat downtown, buy your tickets at the film festival entrance,
or contact GSEN!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
A cheaper, healthier way to get around
A cheaper, healthier way to get around
Apr. 14, 2008
By Nathalie Gara-Boivin
Who says Greater Sudbury isn’t a cycling town? New initiatives and new people are helping to change old car-dependent habits. Greater Sudbury isn’t on the top-ten cycling destinations, but things are definitely improving, thanks to new initiatives and new ideas.
There are many new trails being developed through the Rainbow Routes Association, which allow for a variety of cycling opportunities within the City of Greater Sudbury. You can discover new and exciting commuter routes and leisure trails, guaranteed to be a more enjoyable ride than being stuck in traffic. Visit the trail map at http://www.rainbowroutes.com/. Trade in your fossil fuel power for pedal power at least once a week this summer and see how great you feel.
A new influx of people who are either moving or coming back to Greater Sudbury are bringing with them a cyclist mindset. Recently retired active “baby boomers,” young professionals and students that now call Greater Sudbury home are bringing their insights and experiences from other cities that support cycling initiatives. They have lived in cities where it’s natural to hop on your bicycle to get around. More people see the benefits of turning to pedal power for getting in shape.
A new pilot project, called Rack and Roll, will be launched by Greater Sudbury Transit this spring. This new program, which is supported by the Bicycle Advisory Panel (BAP), will feature a specially-designed bike rack mounted to the front of a transit bus. Imagine pedaling to a distant destination and then coming back on the bus with your bike for a single bus fare? While this program is new to Greater Sudbury, many North American cities including Ottawa, Toronto and Kingston already have similar programs. If you want to learn more about this, members of the Bicycle Advisory Panel will be doing a live demonstration at the Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival on Saturday April 19, at Market Square.
Who says you need to be a lonely cyclist?Last year, members of the BAP hosted a series of events to promote cycling and will continue to do so this summer.The third Saturday morning of the month between June and October, join us for the Sustainability Joy Rides, a public cycle tour around Ramsey Lake. More than 150 people attended throughout last summer and it was an opportunity for cyclists of all ages to meet. The rides were a great way to attract many people who had not been on their bikes in a long time.
On Saturday October 20, 2007, more than 70 people joined members of the BAP for the 3rd annual Tour de Sudbury. This event attracted all generations with the youngest cyclist of this 26 km ride being only nine years old.Participants were also inspired by the Otesha Project, a group of young women who cycled over 2,000 km from Winnipeg to Greater Sudbury to demonstrate their passion for a sustainable lifestyle. They encouraged Sudburians to use their bikes instead of cars for commutes of less than 8 kilometres. This year the 4th Ramsey Lake Cycle Tour will take place on Saturday, June 21. So if you haven’t made it to our event in the past, make sure to get your bicycle into gear.
Still not motivated to get your old bike out, or buy a new or slightly used one? Here are a few financial considerations: with the rising cost of fuel that is estimated to reach $1.50 this summer, you might want to compare the cost of pedal power versus the $100 to fill up your tank. It might just be what you needed to get back into shape.
Secondly, since December 1st, 2007, the Ontario Government is giving people a tax exemption on Provincial sales tax for all bikes (under $1,000) and bike helmets. And finally, bicycle to the Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival on Saturday April 19, 2008 and get in free by showing your helmet.Look for more information about Bicycle Advisory Panel and other cycling initiatives at www.mysudbury.ca/BAP. Why not send us your pedal power ideas? Get around faster, save on cash and get in shape this summer because my Sudbury cycles!
Nathalie Gara-Boivin is a volunteer member of the Greater Sudbury Bicycle Advisory Panel and the Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival Committee
Apr. 14, 2008
By Nathalie Gara-Boivin
Who says Greater Sudbury isn’t a cycling town? New initiatives and new people are helping to change old car-dependent habits. Greater Sudbury isn’t on the top-ten cycling destinations, but things are definitely improving, thanks to new initiatives and new ideas.
There are many new trails being developed through the Rainbow Routes Association, which allow for a variety of cycling opportunities within the City of Greater Sudbury. You can discover new and exciting commuter routes and leisure trails, guaranteed to be a more enjoyable ride than being stuck in traffic. Visit the trail map at http://www.rainbowroutes.com/. Trade in your fossil fuel power for pedal power at least once a week this summer and see how great you feel.
A new influx of people who are either moving or coming back to Greater Sudbury are bringing with them a cyclist mindset. Recently retired active “baby boomers,” young professionals and students that now call Greater Sudbury home are bringing their insights and experiences from other cities that support cycling initiatives. They have lived in cities where it’s natural to hop on your bicycle to get around. More people see the benefits of turning to pedal power for getting in shape.
A new pilot project, called Rack and Roll, will be launched by Greater Sudbury Transit this spring. This new program, which is supported by the Bicycle Advisory Panel (BAP), will feature a specially-designed bike rack mounted to the front of a transit bus. Imagine pedaling to a distant destination and then coming back on the bus with your bike for a single bus fare? While this program is new to Greater Sudbury, many North American cities including Ottawa, Toronto and Kingston already have similar programs. If you want to learn more about this, members of the Bicycle Advisory Panel will be doing a live demonstration at the Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival on Saturday April 19, at Market Square.
Who says you need to be a lonely cyclist?Last year, members of the BAP hosted a series of events to promote cycling and will continue to do so this summer.The third Saturday morning of the month between June and October, join us for the Sustainability Joy Rides, a public cycle tour around Ramsey Lake. More than 150 people attended throughout last summer and it was an opportunity for cyclists of all ages to meet. The rides were a great way to attract many people who had not been on their bikes in a long time.
On Saturday October 20, 2007, more than 70 people joined members of the BAP for the 3rd annual Tour de Sudbury. This event attracted all generations with the youngest cyclist of this 26 km ride being only nine years old.Participants were also inspired by the Otesha Project, a group of young women who cycled over 2,000 km from Winnipeg to Greater Sudbury to demonstrate their passion for a sustainable lifestyle. They encouraged Sudburians to use their bikes instead of cars for commutes of less than 8 kilometres. This year the 4th Ramsey Lake Cycle Tour will take place on Saturday, June 21. So if you haven’t made it to our event in the past, make sure to get your bicycle into gear.
Still not motivated to get your old bike out, or buy a new or slightly used one? Here are a few financial considerations: with the rising cost of fuel that is estimated to reach $1.50 this summer, you might want to compare the cost of pedal power versus the $100 to fill up your tank. It might just be what you needed to get back into shape.
Secondly, since December 1st, 2007, the Ontario Government is giving people a tax exemption on Provincial sales tax for all bikes (under $1,000) and bike helmets. And finally, bicycle to the Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival on Saturday April 19, 2008 and get in free by showing your helmet.Look for more information about Bicycle Advisory Panel and other cycling initiatives at www.mysudbury.ca/BAP. Why not send us your pedal power ideas? Get around faster, save on cash and get in shape this summer because my Sudbury cycles!
Nathalie Gara-Boivin is a volunteer member of the Greater Sudbury Bicycle Advisory Panel and the Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival Committee
Final festival schedule posted!
Final schedule of performers and activities posted for the 2008 Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival, check it out at www.earthdaysudbury.ca!
Remember: Free bus from anywhere in the city to and from festival
How it works is:
On any bus going to the downtown terminal on Saturday the 19th between about 9:30 and 4, just say "I'm going to the Earth Day Festival" to the driver, and he'll let you on free and give you a transfer. Show that transfer at the festival gate at market square downtown to get in free, and you'll get a hand stamp to get in. Then when you are all festivaled out, you then show that hand stamp to the driver and you'll get a free ride home! This is a first time experiment in Sudbury to encourage more people to take the bus to the festival, so we'll see if it works!
Every day is Earth Day, but not every day is the Earth Day Festival, see you there!
On any bus going to the downtown terminal on Saturday the 19th between about 9:30 and 4, just say "I'm going to the Earth Day Festival" to the driver, and he'll let you on free and give you a transfer. Show that transfer at the festival gate at market square downtown to get in free, and you'll get a hand stamp to get in. Then when you are all festivaled out, you then show that hand stamp to the driver and you'll get a free ride home! This is a first time experiment in Sudbury to encourage more people to take the bus to the festival, so we'll see if it works!
Every day is Earth Day, but not every day is the Earth Day Festival, see you there!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Bike or bus to Saturday's Earth Day Festival
Northern Life - Apr. 16, 2008
This year’s Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival will highlight eco-friendly transportation options.
Greater Sudbury Transit is providing free bus fare to anyone attending the Earth Day Festival. It takes place Saturday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Downtown Market Square. Admission to this event, hosted by the Greater Sudbury Environmental Network is by a voluntary donation.
Bus riders will be admitted to the festival free of charge if they provide their transfer ticket. Bike riders will also get a free ride into the event and the City of Greater Sudbury’s Bicycle Advisory Panel will demonstrate its new “Rack ‘n Roll” initiative allowing cyclists to bring their bikes with them when riding certain city buses.
Last year, over 5,000 residents came out to the Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival to celebrate Earth Day and other environmental initiatives taking place in the community.
This year, more than 90 “green” groups and businesses will set up displays and kiosks indoors and outdoors. New displays for this year include environmentally responsible investing from the Investors Group, Go Solar Ontario, Hibou Boutique from North Bay, and several groups from Manitoulin Island. Back by popular demand are the Vale Inco tree seedling giveaway, light bulb exchange from Greater Sudbury Hydro, and Biodiesel from Hodder Fuels.
A full day of entertainment is scheduled featuring local artists Kevin Closs, N’Swakamok Dance Troupe, Les Cokrels, Matt Foy, Groupe 17 and the Spirit of the World Drumming Circle.
The children’s area (in a new location in front of Market Square) will feature the return of popular eco-entertainer Charlie Kert. A new feature is the Greater Sudbury Mascot Reunion, featuring Sudbury’s favourite stuffed mascots together in one place.
Additional entertainment will include the Waabishki Mkwa drum group, Super Science from PLAYLearnThink, hay rides, native storytelling, clowns, skits, crafts, a talent show and much more.
The popular local food fair returns features yummy dishes made with local ingredients.
The Earth Day festival organizing partners include EarthCare Sudbury, the Junction Creek Stewardship Committee, the Nickel District Conservation Authority, Eat Local Sudbury, Le centre de santé communautaire, Grassroots Economic Opportunities Development and Evaluation, Sudbury Food Connections and more than 50 volunteers.
Event sponsors include the City of Greater Sudbury EarthCare, CTV, Vale Inco, Nickel District Conservation Authority Source Water Protection Program, William Day Construction, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, Sudbury Credit Union, Royal Bank of Canada, Dalron, CIGM Radio EZ Rock, J.L. Richards, Halsall Associates, Northern Lights Festival and Le centre de santé communautaire.
Please visit http://www.earthdaysudbury.ca/ for more information
Friday, April 11, 2008
New Bike Rack on Sudbury Transit Bus
Look for the demo at the Earth Day Festival of this new transportation option...
GREATER SUDBURY TRANSIT INTRODUCES “RACK AND ROLL” INITIATIVE
Beginning June 2, 2008, Greater Sudbury Transit riders will have the opportunity to bring bicycles on Route 703 - Val Caron / Hanmer / Capreol. Known as the 'Rack and Roll” initiative, each bus travelling this route will be equipped with a bicycle rack on the front.
The bike racks, which are currently available as a pilot project, will be in use from approximately May to November each year. Each rack can accommodate two bicycles, and there is no additional cost involved – riders must simply pay regular Transit fare.
'I am pleased that we are able to introduce this initiative, which has been so successful in municipalities such as Ottawa, Toronto and Kingston,” said Mayor John Rodriguez. 'Through the efforts of the City's Bicycle Advisory Panel, the leadership of our Transit Committee and the staff at Greater Sudbury Transit, more residents will have access to excellent cycling trails throughout the community and can reduce their impact on the environment by leaving their cars at home.”
Demonstrations of the racks will be available at the Earth Day Festival, taking place at Market Square on Saturday, April 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Citizens are invited to learn more about the 'Rack and Roll” initiative and try the bicycle racks during the festival.
For more information, please visit www.greatersudbury.ca/transit or call 675-3333.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Scrap Metal Drive - This Sunday!
The Sudbury Regional Hospital Foundation's 3rd Annual NIM Scrap Metal Drive is this Sunday (April 13th)!!!
Don't forget to drop by one of their 3 locations! SRHF and NIM volunteers will be at the following locations from 9 am - 5 pm:
Battiselli's YIG (in Lively)
Loeb Val Est (in the Valley)
Parking Lot at York and Paris St (in Sudbury near Bell Park)
This is the 3rd year for this great event. Not only are they raising money to buy much needed patient care equipment, but it's also a great way to keep recyclable material out of the landfill. You can help our hospital and our planet! At no cost to you! Last year the event raised over $8000! In the past they received many different items including: aluminium siding, bicycles, snow mobiles, lawnmowers, trophies, cast iron tubs, sinks, tools, nails/screws/bolts, stoves, dishwashers, doors, bbq's, tables, pots, pans, and much more. All scrap metal, including Freon-free appliances, will be accepted!!
If you have any questions please feel free to contact them at:
Kristy Lewis
Business Development Officer
Sudbury Regional Hospital Foundation
(705) 523-7133
klewis@hrsrh.on.ca
http://www.blogger.com/www.srhf.ca
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Is the Earth Day Festival itself green?
With this incarnation of the Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival (in its third year), the organizing committee continues to be strongly committed to keeping the festival's environmental footprint as light as possible. This primarily involves climate, waste, food, transportation, electricity and equipment considerations. Here's our report on what we are doing this year:
In order to make it more economical and practical for all local festivals to share equipment rather than purchasing, as we've tried to do, we are also very supportive of creating an "Events Network" in Sudbury. These networks have been established in many other communities in Ontario, under the umbrella of the provincial "Festivals and Events Ontario", and are extremely successful at increasing the capacity and sustainability of local festivals through providing a forum for coordinated equipment and knowledge sharing.
If you have any more ideas on how to green the event even more, just let us know!
- purchase renewable energy to power the event from Bullfrog Power (which you can do too for your very own home or business by the way, as some of our committee members have)
- provide recycling and composting stations throughout the event for waste disposal, and have volunteers police these stations to ensure their maximum use
- to help reduce the climate impact of those attending the event, both provide free admission to the event to those not driving (ie. walking, biking, taking the bus) and have the City agree to provide free bus service to anyone coming to the event (show your transfer at the gate)
- require all of our food vendors to use at least one major locally grown ingredient in all of their food
- encourage our vendors to be responsible with the amount of paper handouts they give
- borrow or rent all of our equipment from local sources to minimize the energy needed to transport them or the need to manufacture new ones for our use (this includes primarily the tents, stages, chairs, table clothes, dishes and cutlery)
- provide and require the use of only real ceramic and metal dishes and cutlery for all our food vendors so as to prevent the use of disposable versions
- have our volunteers be identifiable by locally handmade brightly coloured arm bands, made with reused wool fabric
- focus on almost all local performers to minimize their transportation impacts
In order to make it more economical and practical for all local festivals to share equipment rather than purchasing, as we've tried to do, we are also very supportive of creating an "Events Network" in Sudbury. These networks have been established in many other communities in Ontario, under the umbrella of the provincial "Festivals and Events Ontario", and are extremely successful at increasing the capacity and sustainability of local festivals through providing a forum for coordinated equipment and knowledge sharing.
If you have any more ideas on how to green the event even more, just let us know!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Feature Article II: Green Renovations
The following is the second in a series of four environmental articles appearing in local papers in the month leading up to Earth Day...
Thinking of Renovating Your Home? Think Green.
By: Aaron Dent, LEED AP, P.Eng, Halsall Associates Ltd., Sudbury
There are many reasons why people renovate – to make a room more functional, to get rid of that 1970s wallpaper or carpeting, to get ready for a new family member, or to raise the value of your home before selling. Better yet, you might be renovating to improve the energy efficiency of your house – a great step. But is making your home “green” the same thing as making it energy efficient? There are other important questions besides those related to energy efficiency that you should ask yourself before starting your next renovation. Are the materials you plan to use healthy for your family? Will they last a long time, or are you going to have to repair or replace them in the next 5-10 years? Are they made from vinyl? Do they come from forests that are managed properly? All of these are important questions too.
While making your home more energy efficient is the most important thing you can do - both for your pocket book and for the environment - there is already much existing information in Sudbury about how to make your home more energy efficient. Visit www.city.greatersudbury.on.ca/earthcare and click on Efficient Sudbury for more information. Also, a great program to help you pay for the upfront costs of improving your home is the government’s ecoENERGY program, found at www.ecoaction.gc.ca/ecoENERGY. You can contact Canspec Inspection Services (693-5587) in Sudbury to book your home energy audit today.
Apart from energy efficiency, making your home a healthier place to live is one of the best things you can do at your house or apartment. One of the most common renovation projects at your home is simple – painting. Anyone who has painted their house knows about that “new paint smell”. This smell is the paint releasing harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, creating poor air quality in your home. VOCs have been linked with headaches, skin irritations, lung damage as well as increased chemical sensitivities. Thankfully, there are many paint companies that have created paints that are just as durable, washable, and colourful as regular paints, but do not release any VOCs into the air. While the big hardware stores often do not have environmentally friendly paints, any specialty paint store in town, like Barrydowne Paint and Wallpaper, will have low VOC paint, like Benjamin Moore’s EcoSpec. With these paints, there may be some colour restrictions, as dark colours have more VOCs. If you can’t find a colour that you are happy with, there are some special paints that have no toxic chemicals in them, and can be made in any colour. These often come at a cost premium and must be ordered from outside Sudbury, but they are the most eco friendly paints available. You can order these from an Ottawa store, the Healthiest Home (www.thehealthiesthome.com), which carries many environmentally friendly products.
This is just one way to renovate green – there are hundreds more. If you are interested in learning more, check out the book Your Green Home by Alex Wilson available at most bookstores. Or, visit the Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival at Market Square on April 19th, 2008 from 10-5 and speak to representatives of green businesses specializing in products and services for your home. See you there!
Thinking of Renovating Your Home? Think Green.
By: Aaron Dent, LEED AP, P.Eng, Halsall Associates Ltd., Sudbury
There are many reasons why people renovate – to make a room more functional, to get rid of that 1970s wallpaper or carpeting, to get ready for a new family member, or to raise the value of your home before selling. Better yet, you might be renovating to improve the energy efficiency of your house – a great step. But is making your home “green” the same thing as making it energy efficient? There are other important questions besides those related to energy efficiency that you should ask yourself before starting your next renovation. Are the materials you plan to use healthy for your family? Will they last a long time, or are you going to have to repair or replace them in the next 5-10 years? Are they made from vinyl? Do they come from forests that are managed properly? All of these are important questions too.
While making your home more energy efficient is the most important thing you can do - both for your pocket book and for the environment - there is already much existing information in Sudbury about how to make your home more energy efficient. Visit www.city.greatersudbury.on.ca/earthcare and click on Efficient Sudbury for more information. Also, a great program to help you pay for the upfront costs of improving your home is the government’s ecoENERGY program, found at www.ecoaction.gc.ca/ecoENERGY. You can contact Canspec Inspection Services (693-5587) in Sudbury to book your home energy audit today.
Apart from energy efficiency, making your home a healthier place to live is one of the best things you can do at your house or apartment. One of the most common renovation projects at your home is simple – painting. Anyone who has painted their house knows about that “new paint smell”. This smell is the paint releasing harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air, creating poor air quality in your home. VOCs have been linked with headaches, skin irritations, lung damage as well as increased chemical sensitivities. Thankfully, there are many paint companies that have created paints that are just as durable, washable, and colourful as regular paints, but do not release any VOCs into the air. While the big hardware stores often do not have environmentally friendly paints, any specialty paint store in town, like Barrydowne Paint and Wallpaper, will have low VOC paint, like Benjamin Moore’s EcoSpec. With these paints, there may be some colour restrictions, as dark colours have more VOCs. If you can’t find a colour that you are happy with, there are some special paints that have no toxic chemicals in them, and can be made in any colour. These often come at a cost premium and must be ordered from outside Sudbury, but they are the most eco friendly paints available. You can order these from an Ottawa store, the Healthiest Home (www.thehealthiesthome.com), which carries many environmentally friendly products.
This is just one way to renovate green – there are hundreds more. If you are interested in learning more, check out the book Your Green Home by Alex Wilson available at most bookstores. Or, visit the Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival at Market Square on April 19th, 2008 from 10-5 and speak to representatives of green businesses specializing in products and services for your home. See you there!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Earth Day Feature: Stop the Flow! Putting rain water down the drain.
The following is one of a series of four environmental articles appearing in local papers in the month leading up to Earth Day...
Stop the flow! How you can help stop money from going down the drain.
By: Allison Muckle
Coordinator, Junction Creek Stewardship Committee
Every time it rains in Sudbury money is flowing down the drain. This is because many homes (especially those built before 1984) are connected to the sanitary sewer system where they shouldn’t be. For example, many basement sump pumps, weeping tiles or even downspouts from eaves troughs are connected to the sanitary sewer system in Sudbury. This means that relatively clean rain water is required to be treated as if it was sewage (a problem called “inflow and infiltration”) – at the expense of citizens and our environment.
During rainfall and snow melt events, the volume of water heading to the wastewater treatment plant can increase by several times the normal volume! That adds up to wasted money; plus, treating this excess water overburdens our sewer systems, meaning that we all pay for additional capacity, extra maintenance, and the reduced lifespan of the system in the long run.
But the problem of inflow and infiltration doesn’t only hurt our pocket books. In Sudbury, certain sewage treatment facilities, such as the sewage lagoon in Garson, are used primarily to address the extra flow of wastewater during spring and fall – the rainy seasons. As a result, the Garson sewage lagoon discharges into Junction Creek each fall. This leads to high nutrient (such as phosphorous and nitrogen) loads in the creek that in turn result in algal blooms and declines in the quality of fish habitat. In addition, funneling rain water and snow melt into the sanitary sewer system prevents it from naturally re-entering groundwater, streams and lakes the way it should to maintain water levels.
The City of Greater Sudbury is currently working on various “inflow and infiltration” reduction initiatives. In the meantime, you can take action to make sure you’re part of the solution:
ü Disconnect your downspouts! By-laws prohibit the connection of downspouts to the sewer system. However, if your downspout is an offender, you can easily disconnect it yourself so the rainwater flows into a rain barrel or onto your lawn/garden. But make sure you plan where you want the water to go! You don’t want it to flow towards the foundation of your home. Visit http://www.junctioncreek.com/ (Stop the Flow!) to link to a handy do-it-yourself guide from the City of Toronto’s Downspout Disconnect program.
ü Disconnect your Sump pump! If your sump pump is connected to the sewer system, you can disconnect it so that it discharges instead onto your lawn or garden. Again you must make sure the water flows into a suitable area where it can drain naturally into the soil rather than pooling.
ü Cap your cleanouts! A cleanout pipe leads from the sewage system up to ground level so you or your plumber can access the sewer for cleaning. However, if the cleanout pipe is uncovered, has a loose cover or is located below the surface of the ground, storm water can get in. You can purchase a sealed cover and easily install it onto your pipe to make a big difference.
ü We all win! Redirecting storm water away from the sewer system is good for your lawn and gardens; will help to replenish our groundwater system; and will help maintain surface water levels in our creeks, rivers and lakes!
For more information about inflow and infiltration and other issues that affect our streams, lakes and rivers, visit the Water Education Area at the Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival on Saturday April 19th from 10:00-5:00 at Market Square. http://www.earthdaysudbury.ca/
Stop the flow! How you can help stop money from going down the drain.
By: Allison Muckle
Coordinator, Junction Creek Stewardship Committee
Every time it rains in Sudbury money is flowing down the drain. This is because many homes (especially those built before 1984) are connected to the sanitary sewer system where they shouldn’t be. For example, many basement sump pumps, weeping tiles or even downspouts from eaves troughs are connected to the sanitary sewer system in Sudbury. This means that relatively clean rain water is required to be treated as if it was sewage (a problem called “inflow and infiltration”) – at the expense of citizens and our environment.
During rainfall and snow melt events, the volume of water heading to the wastewater treatment plant can increase by several times the normal volume! That adds up to wasted money; plus, treating this excess water overburdens our sewer systems, meaning that we all pay for additional capacity, extra maintenance, and the reduced lifespan of the system in the long run.
But the problem of inflow and infiltration doesn’t only hurt our pocket books. In Sudbury, certain sewage treatment facilities, such as the sewage lagoon in Garson, are used primarily to address the extra flow of wastewater during spring and fall – the rainy seasons. As a result, the Garson sewage lagoon discharges into Junction Creek each fall. This leads to high nutrient (such as phosphorous and nitrogen) loads in the creek that in turn result in algal blooms and declines in the quality of fish habitat. In addition, funneling rain water and snow melt into the sanitary sewer system prevents it from naturally re-entering groundwater, streams and lakes the way it should to maintain water levels.
The City of Greater Sudbury is currently working on various “inflow and infiltration” reduction initiatives. In the meantime, you can take action to make sure you’re part of the solution:
ü Disconnect your downspouts! By-laws prohibit the connection of downspouts to the sewer system. However, if your downspout is an offender, you can easily disconnect it yourself so the rainwater flows into a rain barrel or onto your lawn/garden. But make sure you plan where you want the water to go! You don’t want it to flow towards the foundation of your home. Visit http://www.junctioncreek.com/ (Stop the Flow!) to link to a handy do-it-yourself guide from the City of Toronto’s Downspout Disconnect program.
ü Disconnect your Sump pump! If your sump pump is connected to the sewer system, you can disconnect it so that it discharges instead onto your lawn or garden. Again you must make sure the water flows into a suitable area where it can drain naturally into the soil rather than pooling.
ü Cap your cleanouts! A cleanout pipe leads from the sewage system up to ground level so you or your plumber can access the sewer for cleaning. However, if the cleanout pipe is uncovered, has a loose cover or is located below the surface of the ground, storm water can get in. You can purchase a sealed cover and easily install it onto your pipe to make a big difference.
ü We all win! Redirecting storm water away from the sewer system is good for your lawn and gardens; will help to replenish our groundwater system; and will help maintain surface water levels in our creeks, rivers and lakes!
For more information about inflow and infiltration and other issues that affect our streams, lakes and rivers, visit the Water Education Area at the Greater Sudbury Earth Day Festival on Saturday April 19th from 10:00-5:00 at Market Square. http://www.earthdaysudbury.ca/
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