Southwestern Ontario municipalities receive cash for green projects

guelph
Rendering of a net-zero-energy library as part of the innovative zero-carbon Baker District in Guelph

Ontario Construction News staff writer

A total of $1.2 million investment through Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM)’s Green Municipal Fund (GMF) has been announced for municipalities across Southwestern Ontario.

The Municipality of Brockton is upgrading its aging wastewater treatment facility. For this project, the municipality will receive a $598,000 investment to replace the existing chlorination system with a chemical-free, ultraviolet-light disinfection system, reducing residual chlorine and lower operating and maintenance costs.

“The funding will go towards replacing our chlorination system at our sewage treatment plant with an Ultraviolet Light (UV) Disinfection System,” said Mayor Chris Peabody.

“Our citizens value the river where the wastewater treatment plant sits. The Saugeen River hosts a world class sport fishery, and this grant will go a long way to enhancing this beautiful marine habitat.”

Bruce County will receive $148,750 to complete a study on the technical and financial requirements associated with using the surplus electricity it generates to produce and store hydrogen in the region. The study will explore the possibilities of this emerging sector for not only the region’s economy but also eventually the province’s and the country’s.

The Township of Georgian Bluffs will receive $71,800 to assess opportunities to retrofit and upgrade an anaerobic digester at the Derby Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project aims to increase onsite renewable energy generation, divert waste from landfill and produce soil fertilizer. This will both improve the overall performance of the facility and decrease its operating costs.

In addition, the Township of Warwick will receive $23,300 to investigate energy-efficiency and low-carbon measures for incorporation into the design of a net-zero multi-use community centre.

The City of Guelph will receive $174,550 to study the feasibility of building a net-zero-energy library as part of the innovative zero-carbon Baker District, as well as an additional $175,000 for a study that will support its work with Wellington County on reducing food waste.

The Green Municipal Fund is delivered by the FCMd and funded by the Government of Canada.

“These two studies will help Guelph advance two key projects: the Baker District redevelopment and the Our Food Future circular food economy initiative,” said Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie.

“Environmental sustainability is at the heart of both projects, and this funding will help us raise the bar in creating a sustainable future for Guelph. On behalf of City Council, I want to thank the Government of Canada and FCM for their investment.”

About $174,500 will be used by the city and Windmill Development Group to conduct a study later this summer that will determine the feasibility of constructing a net-zero energy library within the zero-carbon Baker District, a new and unique mixed-use development in downtown Guelph.

library

Also, $175,000 will go to Our Food Future to support phase two of a comprehensive Food Waste Flow Study in Guelph-Wellington.

The study will measure avoidable and unavoidable food waste in the region to best determine where investments, resources and education should be directed to reduce food waste “hotspots” and greenhouse gas emissions.

“Local governments influence half of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. That means local action is critical,” said Joanne Vanderheyden, president, Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

“Municipalities of all sizes are implementing smart low-carbon solutions. Empowering this local expertise is vital to meeting Canada’s climate goals. When orders of government work together to reduce emissions, we’re building more resilient communities.”

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