Committee approves investments in climate action, water services and waste management

The City’s Environment and Climate Change Committee today approved its portion of Draft Budget 2026, which invests in reliable water and sewer infrastructure, sustainable waste management and climate action to support a green and resilient Ottawa. This budget includes a net operating requirement of $39.8 million and $52 million in capital investments for tax and fee supported programs. It also includes $565 million in operating funding and $305.5 million in capital investments for rate-supported programs. 

The draft budget invests $9 million in the Climate Change Master Plan to strengthen resiliency, cut emissions, and support the green energy transition, including: 

• $5 million for Climate Ready Ottawa projects, such as assessing 230 City facilities for climate-related risks so we can keep services running when severe weather hits, improving emergency power reliability at critical city facilities, providing community preparedness grants, installing cooling features in parks and advancing work on a comprehensive cooling strategy 

• $4 million for priority mitigation projects, such as accelerating building retrofits, implementing renewable energy initiatives, electric charging infrastructure for City fleet and developing a district energy strategy 

These investments are complemented by $94 million in capital contributions that apply a climate lens to projects across the City. This includes $32 million to strengthen climate resiliency, $12 million to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and $50 million for projects that achieve both goals. Together, these investments demonstrate Ottawa’s commitment to sustainability and climate action. 

Draft budget 2026 also invests in Ottawa’s tree canopy and green spaces, with $17.5 million for tree and forest maintenance and $2.3 million for tree planting programs. This includes expanding Plant Your Place! to distribute 2,500 trees and proactively replacing 500 street-trees in 2026. These investments will help preserve and grow the urban forest, improving air quality and resilience to extreme heat events. 

To manage waste sustainably, the draft budget commits $40 million in capital investments, including $25 million for maintenance and development at the Trail Waste Facility landfill, such as preparing a new waste cell, expanding the gas collection system and repairing part of the landfill cap. It also includes $2 million for Solid Waste Master Plan actions, which focus on waste reduction, enhanced education and strategies to extend landfill life. Following Council approval earlier this fall, residents will also see improvements like recycling and green bins in 48 new parks as part of efforts to divert waste from the landfill. Waste collection fees would increase by 10 per cent, in line with the Council-approved solid waste long-range financial plan, and consistent with a cost-recovery approach. 

The draft budget invests in reliable core water services that residents use every day, ensuring high standards for water systems that support public health, environmental protection and quality of life. It includes $305.5 million in capital investments for drinking water, wastewater and stormwater systems. Key programs include: 

• $24.5 million for water pipe rehabilitation to prevent major breaks and extend system life 

• $11.3 million for upgrades to drinking water treatment plants 

• $87.2 million for rehabilitation work at Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre (ROPEC), Ottawa’s main wastewater treatment plant, including power supply upgrades 

• $36.5 million to replace and upgrade drainage culverts, reducing flooding and improving long-term reliability 

• $7.5 million for the Wet Weather Program, which manages flows to reduce flooding, prevent sewer overflows and improve climate resilience 

Water bills would increase by 4.5 per cent on April 1, adding about $3.94 per month for an average household, in line with the Council-approved long-range financial plan and consistent with a cost-recovery approach. 

The draft budget also includes several continuous improvement initiatives designed to deliver efficiencies, modernize services and reduce administrative burden. Solid Waste Services will save $1.6 million by redirecting leaf and yard material to the Barnsdale Facility, reducing contracted processing costs. Drinking Water Services will pilot artificial-intelligence-based leak detection to identify undetected leaks and prevent major breaks. Stormwater teams will use advanced computer simulations and drones to improve flood risk assessment and monitor slope stability. These initiatives will help optimize resources, improve service delivery and support cost-effective operations. 

Council will consider Draft Budget 2026 on Wednesday, December 10.