City caps off list for downspout diversion
But not before 50,000 more seek free service
November 21, 2007
Jim Byers
City Hall Bureau
Tens of thousands of Toronto households may be eligible to have the city pay for disconnecting downspouts. But city taxpayers could end up paying substantially higher water rates to pay for the work.
Toronto City Council last night voted to kill a program that was allowing homeowners to register to have the city pay for disconnecting the downspouts. But recent publicity over the proposed ending of the program resulted in another 50,000 people joining the waiting list prior to council ending the program.
"We received more than 20,000 letters, cards and emails in the last two days alone," sighed Toronto Water general manager Lou Di Gironimo.
Although some people on the list may not need the service, Di Gironimo said that at an average cost of $1,300 per home, the larger waiting list could cost the city $65 million. The city only has a $3.5 million budget for downspout disconnections for next year, he said.
Council will decide later how to pay for the disconnections. But Di Gironimo said water rates would have to jump another 10 per cent a year if the basic water rate was to pay the entire cost of the disconnection program.
City officials say they want to get rid of downspouts that send rain water directly into sewers because it can flood water treatment plants and force the city to flush untreated sewage into the lake.
Toronto 10 years ago brought in a program to disconnect downspouts for free in older parts of the city. The program received some promotion, but only a few people were registering for the service.
City staff last month recommended cutting off applications for the free service on Oct. 31.
But council's works committee voted to extend registration until last night.
Councillor John Parker said he didn't think it would be fair to homeowners to leave the deadline at last night.
But council voted 29-7 to end the program immediately.
Officials said anyone who registered before the end of the council meeting last night will be eligible for the free disconnection.
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wtf... $1300 bucks per home? I did both mine last summer for under $100.
This program is in need of an audit or review and determine why it cost so much for a simple disconnect.