City of Kitchener approves integrated sanitary master plan, asks residents to do their part to keep our pipes clear
Kitchener city council has approved its new integrated sanitary master plan, a detailed strategy for upgrading, expanding and maintaining our 834 km of sanitary infrastructure to meet Kitchener’s growing needs. As city staff works to implement the plan, there are a few easy steps we can all take to help ensure our drains, toilets and sinks work reliably.
The integrated sanitary master plan outlines how and where infrastructure will be expanded in neighbourhoods that are growing, including a strategy for inspecting and maintaining our existing infrastructure. Detailed monitoring allows us to perform regular maintenance where it is needed, extending the lifespan of our pipes and limiting costly emergency repairs.
“Every person who lives, works or visits Kitchener on a given day relies on our sanitary infrastructure,” said Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic. “The integrated sanitary master plan ensures that we can reliably meet the needs of Kitchener residents today and in the future. I encourage everyone to help us keep maintenance costs as low as possible and disruptions infrequent by only flushing or pouring suitable material down our pipes.”
The master plan has been approved by Kitchener city council and given authorization to proceed under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. In the plan, maintenance and monitoring will be used extensively to avoid sudden cost increases. Everyone in Kitchener can help keep maintenance costs as low as possible by taking care of what they flush down their toilets and pour down their drains and sinks.
Do your part to help keep our sanitary system working properly:
Use a strainer for your sink, tub and shower drains.
Only flush the 3P’s: pee, poop, and (toilet) paper.
Use your green bin for kitchen waste, not drains.
Do not put these common household materials in your toilets and sinks:
Cleaning wipes like disinfectant wipes, baby wipes, sanitary wipes, and paper towels.
Fats, oils, and grease. Add these to your green bin.
“I’d like to thank everyone who participated in our rounds of public engagement as we developed the plan,” said Director of Sanitary and Stormwater Utilities, Bu Lam. “Seeing so many members of the public take an active interest in something that many of us forget about until it stops working is really encouraging. It’s also great to see people interested in learning more about how to keep our system healthy. I can speak for everyone on my team when I say that we appreciate residents doing their part.”
This project is now complete. Copies of the Environmental Study Report and the Appendices are available on this page. If you have any questions, please contact the Sanitary and Stormwater Utilities division at StormWaterUtility@kitchener.ca or 519-741-2345 (TTY: 1-866-969-9994).
