Download - Insight Guelph - Spring/Summer 2007

In this issue…

Healthy landscapes, healthy communityIt’s spring, and that means more of us are living life out-doors. For many, spring brings with it the pleasures of the gar-den; that long-awaited season after months of cold when we can don gardening gloves and put shovel to earth. Regard-less of whether you like to get down and dig yourself, or enjoy the splendour of other gardeners’ efforts, chances are you’ve heard about the issue of pesticide use and po-tential alternatives.

Alternatives to pesticidesAfter several years of study, ‘best practices’ review, and input from various segments of the commun-ity, Guelph City Council recently ap-proved a by-law that will phase out the non-essential, or cosmetic, use of pesticides in the city.

The by-law takes into account the pesticide by-laws of the cities of Wat-erloo, London, Toronto and Peterbor-ough; and the towns of Oakville and Newmarket. As a result, Guelph’s

pesticide by-law is consistent with those in other communities.

A phase-out and eventual ban of the non-essential use of pesticides will happen gradually over a three year period, with an early focus of educat-ing residents about alternatives.

Efforts to help Guelph residents understand how they can have gor-geous gardens and lawns without chemical pesticides are already underway. In May, the City hosted the first in a group of Healthy Land-scape workshops with Dr. Eric

Lyons, Assistant Professor with the University of Guelph’s Department of Plant Agricul-ture. Close to 100 Guelph resi-dents attended the workshops in May, and an additional ses-sion has been scheduled for June. Additional sessions will be scheduled as needed. Residents interested in at-tending should refer to the City News pages in the Friday edition of the Guelph Tribune for more information.

Asking for your inputTo gauge Guelph residents’ opin-ions about the issue, the City went to the phones in mid-May to hear what you had to say in response to the proposed by-law. More than 400 randomly selected households participated in a telephone survey on the issue.

The City welcomes your feedback on this important topic. For more information, or to learn how you can share your opinion, visit guelph.ca > quick link “pesticides.”

guelph.ca

Laura Baily Ward 1 City Councillor

4Working together to make a differenceTogether, local governments and people can make change for the better

Greenissue

Boulevard plantings beautify neighbourhoods(and take less elbow grease than mowing!)

If you’re tired of mowing the grass on your boulevard, why not join the growing ranks of Guelph residents who are planting boulevard gardens. Besides looking great, boulevard gardens also use less water than lawn.

The keys to a successful boulevard garden include the use of native plants, hardy drought resistant perennials, ground covers and mulch. Here are some suggested plants that are ideal for planting in boulevards:

Shady Boulevards: Hostas, English Ivy and Spotted Deadnettle.

Full Sun Boulevards: Yarrows, Hens-and-Chicks, Sundrops, Sedums, Daylilies, Evening Primrose, Lamb’s Ears, Cinquefoil, Moss Pink, Wormwood, and herbs such as Borage, Parsley, Oregano or Thyme.

Native Plants: Barren Strawberry, Pussytoes, Wild Ginger, Wild Columbine, and Foamflower.

Groundcovers: Sweet Woodruff, Pachysandra, Ajuga, and White Clover.

When planting a boulevard garden, make sure you don’t create a hazard to pedestrians by having plants, shrubs and hedges hanging over ditches, shoulders or sidewalks. To ensure that boulevard plants don’t obstruct views, they have to be maintained at a height of no more than 0.8 metres. While low growing hedges and shrubs can be planted, they should be kept at least one metre away from fire hydrants, shoulders and curbs. Further, plants, hedges or shrubs near hydrants have to be main-tained at a height of no more than 0.3 metres.

You can use hard landscaping material such as pav-ers, stone, gravel, concrete, and asphalt, but keep it at the same height as the ground elevation around it. For more information on the City’s by-law require-ments for boulevard planting, visit guelph.ca > quick link “encroachment.”

Other useful information for boulevard gardening can be found at the Waterloo-Wellington Wildflower Society’s website at www.uoguelph.ca/~botcal, the Guelph Boulevard Club website at www.boulevard-club.guelph.org, and the Master Gardeners website at www.gwmastergardeners.ca.

English Ivy Evening Primrose Hens-and-Chicks

This issue of Insight Guelph is dedicated

to the memory of Laura Baily,

who valued her community, and in

her own way, helped to make it a great

place to call home.

3Get gardening… naturally

Your garden can be green in more ways than one

Insight Guelph

6Guelph’s Community

Energy Plan;a commitment to use energy more wisely,

help fight climate change

Spring/Summer 2007

Insight Guelph Spring/Summer 20072

Laura BailyWard 1 City CouncillorDecember 1, 2003 to November 30, 2006 February 13, 2007 to March 24, 2007

From the Mayor

Welcome to the spring/summer edition of Insight Guelph!You’ll notice that this is a “green” edition of Insight Guelph, with information on a number of environment-related initiatives and issues in our city. I am proud to be the mayor of a city that is known around the country for its environmental leadership, and I know many of you are proud of our reputation too.

In the recently-completed “listening phase” of Guelph’s strategic planning pro-cess, which involved consultation with hun-dreds of residents and businesses, the environment was a theme that came up again and again. Clearly, this is an area where you believe Guelph can make a difference.

Recently, I was proud to accept two cer-tificates of recognition from Ontario’s Chief Energy Conservation Officer, Peter Love.

The first was presented to recognize Council’s adoption of the Community En-ergy Plan – a plan that puts Guelph on the cutting edge for North America. Under the plan’s challenging but realistic targets, Guelph could use less energy in 25 years than it does today - even with expected residential growth of 65,000 people - and cut its annual greenhouse emissions by nine tonnes per person. City staff is now beginning work on implementing the dir-ections in the plan.

I was pleased to accept the second cer-tificate on behalf of the residents of Guelph for your support of the Project Porchlight initiative. This project saw more than 150 volunteers distribute 10,000 en-ergy-saving compact fluorescent light bulbs to households. This fall, Project Porchlight will be undertaken city-wide.

In this edition of Insight Guelph, you’ll find information about another important “green” issue: pesticides. Given the grow-ing awareness of the health and environ-mental impacts of chemical pesticides, City Council has approved a by-law that will phase out the use of non-essential cosmetic pesticides. The by-law is not meant to penalize homeowners with ser-ious infestations, and would provide ex-ceptions for those cases. But generally, you can keep your lawn and garden healthy with environmentally-sound alternatives. This issue of Insight Guelph gives you some tips to do just that.

I hope you enjoy the charmed seasons of spring and summer in our city. If you have any feedback or questions, please send me an e-mail at [email protected] or call 519-837-5643.

Mayor Karen Farbridge

neighbourhoods thrive when everyone respects their planned features

Boulevard Parks and Greenways

Grass cutting

Dumping

Removal of living fences

Planting (less than 0.8 m)

Playing

Building structures (e.g. sheds)

Demarcation Markers

Living Fence

Parks and Greenways

Boulevard

Private Property

Boulevard

Sidewalk

City Lands

Private Property

City Lands

Laura and her two daughters, Tori (left) and Vaniglia (right), at the 2005 Clean & Green Community Clean-up.

Residential neighbourhoods are conceived and designed with a tremendous amount of thought and planning. In many cases, they are carefully created to include a variety of fea-tures such as parks, storm water management ponds and corridors, and wetlands. The City of Guelph owns these public spaces or “City lands” in your neighbourhood and most others across the city. It’s the City’s responsibility to ensure City lands are used for their intended purposes. Doing so has a great number of health, wellness and environmental benefits that are important to everybody.

When people interfere with neighbourhood features, it’s called ‘encroachment.’ Encroach-ment refers to the gradual trespass on another’s

property. The City of Guelph has a by-law in place that prohibits a variety of encroachment activities. Encroachment activities might seem harmless, but they have the potential to cause significant problems. You can help preserve an important balance in your neigh-bourhood by avoiding encroachment activ-ities, and by informing the City if you see them taking place.

Be a good neighbourEnsuring that City lands continue to thrive and play a role in your neighbourhood’s healthy growth requires that residents adopt the view that a good neighbour is one who would not harm or change another’s property without their permission. Similarly, the City asks you to inform it of any problem activities on City lands so they may be addressed. The City of Guelph is committed to the maintenance of City lands. They’re there to be enjoyed by everyone. Please help us ensure this is the case.

For more information contactCity of Guelph, Realty ServicesCall: 519-822-1260, ext. 2279Web: guelph.ca > quick link “encroachment”

Beawareofencroachmentactivityinyourneighbourhood

Laura Baily served as a member of Guelph City Council, representing Ward 1 for the 2003 – 2006 term. Laura then represented Ward 1 again during the current term of Council prior to passing away in March of 2007.

During her time on Council, Laura served as a member on Council’s Planning, Environment & Transportation Committee in her first term, and then on Emergency Services, Community Servi-ces & Operations Committee this term.

In addition to the standing committees, Laura represented Guelph City Council on numerous boards, commissions and committees, including:

• Guelph Junction Railway• Guelph Growth Management Plan

Advisory Committee• Seniors & Social Services Committee• Site Selection Committee for the

Headquarters Branch Library• Corporate Review Ad Hoc Committee• Downtown Advisory Group• Water Supply Master Plan Advisory Committee• Well Interference Committee• Board of Directors of St. Joseph’s Hospital• Macdonald Stewart Community Art Centre• Guelph Police Services Board• Eastview Landfill Site Public Liaison Committee

Spring/Summer 2007 Insight Guelph 3

Get the dirt on home compostingComposting is the natural breakdown of or-ganic material (kitchen and yard waste) by bac-teria and fungi (micro-organisms). Besides reducing the amount of household garbage you produce, composting also produces a nutrient-rich soil that can be used for gardening and landscaping.

There are many different ways to compost at home. The most popular is with the pre-manufactured backyard composter, but it’s also possible to use drum composters, cone composters, homemade composters and just plain heaps!

Getting startedThe secret to backyard composting is all in the recipe! All you need is a 50:50 ratio between ‘brown’ and ‘green’ materials, a little patience and some help from the sun.

Brown materials are carbon-based. They include dried grass and plants, leaves, saw-dust, wood chips, straw, dried bread, shredded newspaper and coffee filters.

Green materials are nitrogen-based. They include fruit and vegetable peels and cores, coffee grounds, tea bags, eggshells and gar-den waste.

To set up your backyard composter:1. Choose an area with good drainage. Loosen

soil underneath so earthworms can move up.2. Put down about 4 inches of brown material

for good air circulation.3. Add 2-3 inches of green material and spread

evenly.4. Cover green material with 4 inches of brown

to reduce fruit flies, odours and other pests.5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until your composter

bin is full.6. Keep mixture about as moist as a wrung-out

sponge.7. Mix often – the more you mix, the quicker

the compost!

Don’t add diseased plants, pet manure or litter, meat, fish, dairy products, etc.

When your compost is finished, it will be very dark and crumbly with a distinctive earthy smell. Use it on flower beds, houseplants, starter boxes, and vegetable gardens; around trees and shrubs; and as a lawn dressing when sifted.

A vibrant, emerald-coloured lawn may be what comes to mind when we think of a ‘green’ lawn. But the colour green is not the only kind of ‘green’ that matters when it comes to landscaping.

With growing public concern about potential health and environmental impacts associated with the chemicals

found in pesticides, more and more people are selecting to eliminate them from their lawns and gardens.

A healthy, naturally ‘green’ lawn can be achieved with nutrient-rich soil, the right growing conditions, and the right amount of water. If these ingredients are put in place and maintained, pesticides shouldn’t be necessary.

Get gardening… naturallyYour garden can be green in more ways than one

For more about information about naturally

green landscaping visit www.healthylawns.net.

Feed your soil

• Develop a tolerance for a few dande-lion weeds and insects. Most insects are not harmful. Some are important to our environment.

• Control weeds and insects naturally. Dig out weeds and their roots by hand. Pour boiling water on weeds that are growing between patio stones, etc. Use a stick or your hands to knock insects off plants into a dish of soapy water.

• Use the least-toxic treatments avail-able to address the problem. Prod-ucts containing insecticidal soap, pyrethrin, sulphur, diatomaceous earth, and oils are some of the en-vironmentally-friendly treatments available on the market, as well as a variety of home remedies.

Water wisely• Water deeply, less often. Frequent, light watering

can lead to a shallow root system, which leaves your lawn vulnerable to dry weather and disease.

• Take it nice and slow. If you water too quickly, your lawn won’t be able to absorb the water. Use a sprink-ler to soak one area of your lawn for 15 to 20 minutes, then move it to another area for 15 to 20 minutes. Then start all over again until you’ve watered your entire lawn.

• An inch will do. A healthy lawn needs only about one inch of water per week. There’s no need to water if it has rained significantly in the past few days.

• Gauge your effectiveness. Put a rain gauge on your lawn. It will tell you how much rain has fallen, indicat-ing how much you need to water. The gauge will also tell you when you have watered enough. Need a rain gauge? An empty tuna can will do the trick.

• Leave Mother Nature to her de-vices. Healthy, established lawns often don’t need watering at all. We usually get enough rain in the summer to keep grass green. In hot, dry conditions, grass, like many plants, will naturally go dor-mant and turn brown. Not to worry: it will be green again once the rain and cooler weather return.

• Give 'em a drink of rainwater. Using a rain barrel will help reduce the amount of water you draw to maintain a lush, green garden. Place a rain barrel at the downspouts of your eaves troughs to collect rainwater to use on your lawn and garden. Make sure the rain barrel has a screened lid, childproof top, overflow mechanism and hose attachment for wat-ering. To order your rain barrel contact G.I.R.C. (Guelph International Resource Centre) at 519-822-3110 or visit www.girc.org.

• Select drought tolerant plants for your garden. Native plant gardens thrive in local conditions; this means less water, easier care, fewer pests, and less reliance on pesticides. They require minimal water-ing and very little maintenance. Local lawn and gar-den centres are a great resource for information about drought tolerant native species.

• Add compost to your lawn as a top dressing. Kitchen and yard scraps can be composted at home into a nutrient-rich fertilizer for landscaping, provid-ing important nutrients for plant growth.

• Let your lawn breathe. Once a year, remove small plugs of earth to allow air and water to get to the roots (aerate). A pesticide-free lawn will encourage earthworms, nature’s aerators.

• Remove thatch. This thick compacted layer of dead plants and grass attracts harmful insects and chokes out grass plants. Too much thatch stops water and

nutrients from getting to the roots. Remove thatch by gently raking your lawn. To prevent thatch, don’t over-water or over-fertilize.

• Overseed to keep your lawn lush and healthy. Overseeding can strengthen the lawn and put com-petitive pressure on weed popula-tion. Be sure to determine what seed mixture is best suited to your lawn’s growing conditions and our dry summers.

Manage pests naturally

Grooming tips for a healthy lawn• Mow high to promote deeper roots. Set the mow-

er blades between 2 and 3 inches. Grass this height promotes deeper roots, will crowd out weeds, and help the soil to retain its moisture.

• Leave the grass cuttings on the lawn as mulch. Mulch slows the evaporation of water from the soil and acts as a fertilizer for grass.

Limited outdoor space? Vermicomposting is a great space saving alternative — vermicomposters can be set up on your balcony

or under your kitchen sink.

Waste reduction starts at home. Visit guelph.ca/wetdry to learn more about home composting and how to get started.

Almost 30% of the waste

you produce can be composted and used to

benefit gardens.

Orange you glad you compost?

Getting startedBackyard composters can

be purchased for $35 at the Waste Resource Innovation

Centre, 110 Dunlop Drive and ARC industries, 8 Royal Road.

Discover how you can reap

the rewards of home composting.

Besides reducing the amount of household garbage you produce, home composting also produces a nutrient-rich soil

additive that can be used for gardening and landscaping.

Check out the City’s composting demonstration in the administration centre parking lot of the WRIC. It will

take some time for the composting process to get heated up but visitors are welcome to peek inside and get some helpful tips.


Quick facts >>>

18.8 billion Litres of water pumped and treated in 2006

18,400 Microbiological and chemical quality tests performed annually on treated Guelph water

$22 million Value of upgrades to Guelph’s water treatment infrastructure since 2002

60,000 Litres of water saved annually by an aver-age family that replaces its high-water use toilets with low-flush models*

Quick facts >>>

Workingtogetherto

1 tonne Average amount of trash generated an-nually by every Ontario resident*

30% Amount of household waste that can be composted at home

130,000 Trees saved by recycling over 15 million pounds of newspaper in Guelph last year

55 million Plastic shopping bags taken home every week by Canadians**

What the City is doing:• Expanding its recycling programs to include

electronic waste and florescent bulbs

• Working with local retailers to offer a plastic bag recycling program

• Assisting schools, businesses and apartment complexes to implement recycling programs

What you can do:• Continue to sort your waste following the

Wet-Dry+ guidelines

• Carry reusable shopping bags and travel mugs

• Compost your kitchen and yard scraps at home

• Buy products with little or no packaging to reduce waste

Clean water

Less waste

What the City is doing:• Offering rebates for residents who replace high-

water use toilets with new low-flush models

• Partnering with the University of Guelph and local homebuilders to explore the impacts of residential rainwater harvesting

• Implementing its 50-year Water Supply Master Plan to ensure the reliable, long-term supply of high-quality, affordable drinking water

• Developing a Wastewater Treatment Master Plan to accommodate wastewater treatment needs to the year 2054

What you can do:• Reduce outdoor water use by following the Outside

Water Use Program guidelines

• Plant drought-resistant, native plants in your garden

• Retrofit your old water-guzzling appliances and fixtures with new water-efficient models

• Don’t pour grease, paint or other chemicals down the drain – they can damage our sewer system and contaminate local watersheds

Municipalities have a key role to play in diverting waste from landfill by managing effective, en-vironmentally-responsible waste collection and processing programs. But recycling, composting and other means of processing can take us only so far. Actions we take before we place our bags of garbage at the curb have enormous potential to make a difference. Buy items that use re-cycled materials, are produced locally, are pack-aged responsibly and can be reused or recycled.

Guelph is one of the largest cities in Canada to rely solely on groundwater. The upside of being an exclusively groundwater community? Groundwater is pure, pristine and unspoiled. The trade-off? Unlike some of our neighbours with surface water supplies, Guelph faces the reality of a more limited supply. On account of our geography and geology, Guelph’s circumstances are unique.

“The most meaningful thing any one of us can do is exercise our influence as consumers. Better choices are available right now, you just need to choose them.”

Jennifer TurnbullCity of Guelph Waste Reduction Coordinator

“The people here just get it.”

Gord Miller, Environmental Commissioner ofOntario on Guelph’s leadership in wastewater management.

*Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

*Environment Canada** Waste Reduction Week website: wrwcanada.com


Quick facts >>>

makeadifference

Clean air

Sustainable energy

75% Amount of energy saved by switching to compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs*

10,000 CFL bulbs distributed to Guelph residents through Project Porchlight

25% Targeted amount of Guelph’s energy to be generated from local renewable resources within 15 years

7,900 Kilowatt hours of energy per resident consumed annually

Quick facts >>>

What the City is doing:• Implementing Guelph’s Community Energy Plan to

develop a healthy, reliable and sustainable energy future

• Reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from municipal facilities

• Incorporating conservation principles in the new Civic Administration Centre Complex to achieve LEED Silver designation for excellence in environmental sustainability

• Generating electricity from recovered methane gas at the former Eastview Landfill site in partnership with Guelph Hydro

What you can do:• When buying new appliances, look for energy-

efficient models

• Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs

• Install a programmable thermostat and adjust the temperature setting by a few degrees overnight or when you’re away from home – you’ll reduce emissions and save money

• Businesses can take part in the Doors Closed campaign to save energy during the summer months – visit www.weconserve.ca/doorsclosed to find out how to get involved

Energy use is closely linked to climate change. Burning fossil fuels for energy causes global warming. Governments have roles to play in phasing out energy sources that are harmful to the environment, and developing new efficiency standards for buildings. People also have the capacity to make an immediate difference by im-plementing small changes. The world’s eco-systems, forests, watersheds and economies depend on it.

17 Smog days in Ontario in 2006*

50%Increase in ridership on Clean Air Day when free transit is provided

5 million Paid transit trips taken in 2006

16 Per capita tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions produced every year in Guelph

Air pollution results in close to 6,000 premature deaths each year according to the Ontario Med-ical Association. Urban air quality is a crucial part of a community’s physical and economic well-being. Local governments have roles to play in creating attractive alternatives to the automobile, while individual actions can also make a difference.

“Guelph has had the courage to take this huge step. No other city in

North America has achieved what they have.”

Peter Garforth,international energy expert

on Guelph’s Community Energy Plan.

“The Ontario government… estimates the health and environmental costs

of air pollution in that province alone are more than $9 billion annually.”

David Suzuki

What the City is doing:• Reducing carbon dioxide emissions by close to

600 tonnes by using bio-diesel – a renewable, non-toxic fuel alternative to petroleum-based diesel – in City buses

• Using energy efficient LED bulbs in its traffic signals – reducing greenhouse gas emissions associated with producing energy by 543 tonnes annually

• Reducing unnecessary idling of City vehicles to reduce fuel consumption, cut greenhouse gas emissions and save money

• Spearheading the annual city-wide Commuter Challenge, a friendly competition between Canadian communities to encourage sustainable modes of transportation

What you can do:• Join a carpool – visit www.carpoolzone.

smartcommute.ca or www.carpooltool.com to find commuters in your area

• Use alternative modes of transportation – walk, bike, carpool or use public transit

• Avoid unnecessary idling and cut back on how often you drive (or are driven)

• Avoid the use of gasoline or diesel-powered equipment (e.g. lawnmowers, trimmers, leaf blowers, chain saws)

Sustainable energy

*Ontario Ministry of Energy

*Ministry of the Environment

“Working together to make a difference” is based on “How we can get there,” Toronto Star, February 17, 2007.


The link between climate change and energy useIssues related to the environment are at the very top of Canadians’ ‘most important’ list. Among environ-mental concerns, Canadians have identified climate change as one of the most urgent. We’re not alone. Global warming is considered by many scientists to be the most serious threat facing the planet today. Indeed, the scope, impacts and implica-tions of climate change are more severe than most of us probably realize.

On a positive note however, people – both individually and in the communities in which they live – have gradually begun to realize that energy use is close-ly linked to climate change, and that how we use energy is something we all have the potential to influence.

Take electricity use for example. One third of Ontario’s electricity is created from fossil fuels: coal and natural gas. Burning energy from fossil fuels creates green-house gas emissions. These emissions are heat-trap-ping, and cause carbon dioxide and other gases to build up in the atmosphere. The result of this effect is global warming. But by making subtle changes in the way we use electricity, each and every one of us has the pow-er to make a difference. For instance, something as easy as switching your home’s light bulbs from regular to compact fluorescent bulbs will use 75% less electricity. The result is less fossil fuel used to create electricity, which means fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Guelph’s Community Energy Plan: a medium-sized city making a big-sized differenceIn April City Council unanimously endorsed the vision, goals and recommendations outlined in Guelph’s Com-

munity Energy Plan. The Plan’s aim is to secure a healthy, reli-able energy future while re-ducing environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas emis-sions. The Community Energy

Plan is the community’s commitment to use and man-age energy differently than it has in the past. At the same time, the Community Energy Plan will play an important role in attracting quality investment to Guelph. After all, experts agree that a reliable, sustain-able energy supply is and will continue to be a key ingredient in the long-term competitiveness and eco-nomic performance of cities.

By using and managing energy resources more ef-fectively, Guelph’s goals are to consume less energy per capita than comparable Canadian cities, and prod-uce less greenhouse gas per capita than the current global average.

Guelph’s Community Energy Plan has earned inter-national attention. Ours is among only a handful of North American cities to undertake an energy manage-ment project of this scope. In a way, we’re pioneering a new approach to how cities use energy. While ahead of its time in some ways, the Community Energy Plan arrives not a moment too soon – when the opportunity to make a positive difference still exists.

Waste reduction begins with youIf not you, then who?Canadians produce more garbage per person than just about any other country in the world. The average person in Ontario generates a whole tonne of trash every year.

Waste creates environmental im-pacts including energy consump-tion and pollution, natural resource depletion, and habitat destruction. All communities should be respon-sible for managing waste in ways that have few or no harmful impacts on the planet.

So what’s the solution to our waste woes? Most experts agree: there is no easy solution – but re-ducing the amount of waste we generate is the first step.

Waste reduction not only cuts the amount of waste produced, it saves money and conserves the resour-ces and raw materials that go into making new things. Waste reduc-tion means buying only what you need and making smarter choices about what you buy, such as en-

vironmentally friendly products.

Reusing and recyc-ling are two more meth-ods for decreasing the amount of waste sent to landfills.

Reusing involves finding a new use for items other than what they were originally intended for. Con-sider, for instance, whether the item is reusable, refillable, rechargeable, repairable, or shareable.

Recycling and buying products containing recycled materials are also ways to reduce waste.

Guelph residents are “good sorts” when it comes to sorting and recyc-ling – recycling around 13,000 tonnes of blue bag material annually. Keep up the great work!

Please remember: each of us has tremendous personal power to re-duce the amount of waste generat-ed. It’s time to do our part and make a difference. If not you, then who?

For waste reduction tips visit guelph.ca/wetdry. Have a tip that you’d like to share? E-mail [email protected].

Guelph’s Community Energy Plan: a commitment to use energy more wisely, help fight climate change.

For more information about Guelph’s Community Energy Plan, visit guelph.ca > quick link “community energy plan”.

Garforth International llc

Energy Productivity Solutions

Final Report dated 16th March 2007

Prepared For

Guelph Community Energy Plan Consortium

Community Energy Plan

Garforth International llc

Energy Productivity Solutions

Open Year RoundSaturdays,

7 a.m. to 12 noon

A focal point of the downtown area, the Market continues to be a community place where families shop for quality meats, cheese, produce, baked goods, ethnic foods and arts & crafts.

Located at the corner of Gordon St. & Waterloo Ave.Free parking available at

Wilson St. & Fountain St. lots

For more information contact Building Services

at 519-837-5615 or [email protected]

Building Department Extended Hours for

Residential Homeowners

There’s no need to rush!

Offi ce2 Wyndham Street North2nd Floor

For the convenience of our residential homeowners, City of Guelph Building

Services has extended its hours of operation:Open Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

May 2 to September 26, 2007

Building Services Extended Hours Monday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Bymakingsubtlechangesinthewayweuseelectricity,eachandeveryoneofushasthepowertomakeadifference.

Everyday waste reduction tips• Reuse your plastic shopping bags

– or better yet, carry reusable cloth bags

• Use a travel mug for beverages on the go

• Home compost your garden and kitchen waste

• Avoid purchasing disposable products

• Donate clothing, furniture and other items that can be used by someone else

• Take a ‘litterless’ lunch

• Use plastic containers for food leftovers instead of aluminium foil, plastic bags or plastic wrap

• Avoid products with excess packaging and buy in bulk


Level 0 Blue – CAREFUL USE

AFFECTED ACTIVITIESLawn watering

Alternate day and time restrictions (odd numbered addresses water on odd numbered days, even numbered addresses on even numbered days – always between 7 and 9 a.m. and 7 and 9 p.m.)Treated lawns may be watered within 48 hours of treatment application.Permit required for watering new lawns outside of alternate days and timesCall 519-837-5627 for permit information

Decorative fountains and garden pondsRequired to re-circulate water

ACTIVITIES NOT AFFECTED Watering trees, shrubs, flowers and gardensResidential vehicle washing (hose must be equipped with a shut-off nozzle)Recreational sprinklers and splash padsResidential swimming pools, wading pools and hot tubs

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

• 0Level 1 Yellow – REDUCE OUTSIDE USE


Alternate day and time restrictions (odd numbered addresses water on odd numbered days, even numbered addresses on even numbered days – always between 7 and 9 a.m. and 7 and 9 p.m.)Treated lawns may be watered within 48 hours of treatment applicationPermit required for watering new lawns outside of alternate days and times

Call 519-837-5627 for permit information


ACTIVITIES NOT AFFECTED Watering trees, shrubs, flowers and gardensResidential vehicle washing (hose must be equipped with a shut-off nozzle)Recreational sprinklers and splash padsResidential swimming pools, wading pools and hot tubs

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Ward InformationWard 1Councillors

Councillor Bob Bell (left) 86 Arthur Street North Guelph, ON N1E 4T8 Call: 519-822-6152 E-mail: [email protected]

Councillor Kathleen Farrelly (right) 113 Eramosa Road Guelph, ON N1E 2L9 Call: 519-822-5946 E-mail: [email protected]

Neighbourhood Groups

Grange Hill East Neighbourhood GroupE-mail: [email protected]

Two Rivers Neighbourhood GroupCall: 519-837-4248E-mail: [email protected]

Ward 2Councillors

Web: ward2guelph.wordpress.com

Councillor Vicki Beard (left) Call: 519-821-4856 E-mail: [email protected]

Councillor Ian Findlay (right) 60 Baker Street Guelph, ON N1H 4G1 Call: 519-830-4681 E-mail: [email protected]


Brant Avenue Neighbourhood GroupCall: 519-821-9243E-mail: [email protected]

Waverley Neighbourhood GroupCall: 519-821-9677E-mail: [email protected]

Ward 3Councillors

Councillor Maggie Laidlaw (left) 61 Tiffany Street WestGuelph, ON N1H 1Y3Call: 519-837-1732 E-mail: [email protected]

Councillor June Hofland (right) 14 St. Arnaud StreetGuelph, ON N1H 5V4 Call: 519 821-1667 E-mail: [email protected]


Exhibition Park Neighbourhood GroupCall: 519-767-5750E-mail: [email protected]

Onward Willow Better Beginnings Better Futures ProjectCall: 519-824-8498E-mail: [email protected]

Ward 6Councillors

Councillor Christine Billings (left)City Hall, 59 Carden Street Guelph, ON N1H 3A1Call: 519-826-0567E-mail: [email protected]

Councillor Karl Wettstein (right)14 Gaw CrescentGuelph, ON N1G 1H8 Call: 519-763-5105 E-mail: [email protected]


Kortright Hills Community AssociationCall: 519-824-3606E-mail: [email protected]: www.kortrighthillscommun-ityassociation.ca

Clairfields Neighbourhood GroupCall: 519-837-5618 ext. 235E-mail: [email protected]

Ward 5Councillors

Councillor Lise Burcher (left) 104 Maple StreetGuelph ON N1G 2G2Call: 519-763-0449 E-mail: [email protected]

Councillor Leanne Piper (right) 62 Mary StreetGuelph, ON N1G 2B1 Call: 519-824-9000 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.ward5.ca


Hanlon Creek Neighbourhood GroupCall: 519-837-5618 ext. 235E-mail: [email protected]

Old University Neighbourhood Residents’ AssociationCall: 519-836-9727 ext. 1E-mail: [email protected]

Ward 4Councillors

Councillor Gloria Kovach (left) 34 Brown StreetGuelph, ON N1L 1R2Call: 519-824-9695 E-mail: [email protected]

Councillor Mike Salisbury (right) 86-30 Imperial Road South Guelph, ON N1K 1Y4 Call: 519-763-4461 E-mail: [email protected] Web: ward4guelph.ca


Parkwood Gardens Neighbourhood GroupCall: 519-824-6340E-mail: [email protected]

West Willow Woods Neighbourhood GroupCall: 519-826-9930E-mail: [email protected]

The City of

Guelph’s Outside Water

Use Program (OWUP) was created

in 2002 in response to the provincial government’s

Ontario Low Water Response Plan.

Drought management and water conservation is a priority in Guelph, as we are one of the largest communities in Canada to rely exclusively on groundwater. Guelph’s Waterworks Division works continuously to protect our water resources — for today and for generations to come. Please help us by minimizing non-essential use.

Please clip the OWUP guidelines and frequently asked questions and post them in your home for easy reference.


Level 2 Red – REDUCE & STOP NON-ESSENTIAL USE


Lawn watering is not permitted.Treated lawns may be watered within 48 hours of treatment application Permit required for watering new lawns outside of alternate days and timesCall 519-837-5627 for permit information

Watering trees, shrubs, fl owers and gardensAlternate day and time restrictions (odd numbered addresses water on odd numbered days, even numbered addresses on even numbered days – always between 7 and 9 a.m. and 7 and 9 p.m.)


Residential vehicle washing Alternate day and time restrictions (odd numbered addresses water on odd numbered days, even numbered addresses on even numbered days – always between 7 and 9 a.m. and 7 and 9 p.m.)Hose must be equipped with a shut-off nozzle

ACTIVITIES NOT AFFECTED

Recreational sprinklers and splash padsResidential swimming pools, wading pools and hot tubs

••

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Frequently Asked Questions

Visit guelph.ca/waterworks for more information.

Why does the City need watering restrictions? Guelph relies solely on groundwater. Groundwater is more limited than surface water, which makes water conservation a priority for us, especially in the hot and dry summer months. Watering restrictions are a way for the City to manage outside water use. The program is intended to be user friendly and was developed based on input the City received from residents themselves.

Does the OWUP include enforcement of the outside water use rules?Yes, the program allows the City to fully enforce all levels of the program. The program is actively enforced through ticketing or the issuance of summons by City by-law enforcement staff . By-law offi cers issue $130 tickets for program non-compliance.

Where can I fi nd additional program information, including the current program level? Information on the OWUP, including its current level, is provided through the following means:

City News pages in the Friday edition of the Guelph Tribune Online at guelph.caBy calling Guelph Waterworks at 519-837-5627 By e-mail at [email protected] Local television: Rogers Cable 20 Local radio: CJOY 1460 & Magic FM 106.1 Road signs located around the city — watch for the new program sign being posted in your Ward.

Ward 1 - Victoria Road Community CentreWard 2 - Riverside Park (Woodlawn Road)Ward 3 - Exhibition Park (London Road)Ward 4 - West End Community CentreWard 5 - Edinburgh Road & Municipal StreetWard 6 - Gordon Street Well House

•

••••••

Guelph and District Multicultural FestivalJune 15-17Riverside Park519-836-7482www.gdmf.ca

Faery FestJune 23-24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Riverside Park519-824-2362www.faeryfest.com

GardenscapesJune 24, noon to 5:30 p.m.11 gardens in and around Guelph519-837-0010www.msac.ca

Canada DayJuly 1Riverside Park

Festival ItalianoJuly 6-8135 Ferguson St.519-821-1110

Art on the StreetJuly 14,11 a.m. to 5 p.m.Downtown Guelph519-836-6144www.guelphdowntown.com/events/artonthestreet.htm

Hillside FestivalJuly 27-29Guelph Lake519-763-6396 www.hillsidefestival.ca

Fergus Truck ShowJuly 27-29275 Gordon St., Fergus1-866-526-7379 / 519-843-3412www.fergustruckshow.com

Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland GamesAugust 10-12519-787-0099398 St. Andrew St. W., Ferguswww.fergusscottishfestival.com

RibFestAugust 24-26Riverside Parkwww.ribfestguelph.com

Guelph Jazz FestivalSeptember 5-9Downtown Guelph519-763-4952www.guelphjazzfestival.com

Guelph Arts FestivalOctober 13, 14, 20 & 2155 Wyndham St. N.519-827-1046 www.guelphartsfestival.com

Service PhoneMayor’s Office 519-837-5643

CAO’s Office 519-837-5602

Building 519-837-5615

Centennial Pool 519-837-5620

Clerk’s Office 519-837-5603

Civic Museum 519-836-1221

Community Design and Development Services 519-837-5616

Community Services 519-837-5618

Court Services (Provincial Offences Court) 519-826-0762

Delhi Community Centre 519-837-5625

Economic Development 519-837-5600

Engineering 519-837-5604

Evergreen Seniors Centre 519-823-1291

Finance 519-837-5610

Fire and Emergency Services 519-824-6590

Guelph Sports and Entertainment Centre 519-822-4900

Human Resources 519-837-5601

Legal Services 519-837-5637

Library (Main Branch) 519-824-6220

Service PhoneMcCrae House 519-836-1482

Operations 519-837-5628

Parking 519-837-5612

Parks Maintenance 519-837-5628

Police Services 519-824-1212

River Run Centre (Box Office) 519-763-3000

River Run Centre (Administration) 519-837-5662

Taxation 519-837-5605

Tourism 519-837-1335

Traffic 519-837-5628

Transit 519-822-1811

Victoria Road Recreation Centre 519-837-5621

Waste Resource Innovation Centre 519-767-0598

Wastewater Treatment Plant 519-837-5629

Waterworks 519-837-5627

West End Community Centre 519-837-5657

Other Useful Numbers MP – Brenda Chamberlain 519-837-8276

MPP – Liz Sandals 519-836-4190

Who to Call at

Insight Guelph is a publication of the Corporation of the City of Guelph.Call: 519-822-1260, ext. 2223

E-mail: [email protected]

Web: guelph.ca

Write/In person: City Hall, 59 Carden Street Guelph, ON, N1H 3A1

Insight Guelph is printed on newsprint containing recycled content.

City Hall

Summer events in Guelph and Wellington

Download - Insight Guelph - Spring/Summer 2007

Top Related