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{{Unreferenced|date=December 2009}}
{{More citations needed|date=June 2025}}[[Image:Toronto Works Street Sweeper.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Toronto Works and Emergency Services street sweeper.]]
[[Image:Toronto Works Street Sweeper.jpg|200px|right|thumb|Toronto Works and Emergency Services street sweeper.]]
'''Toronto Works and Emergency Services''' was a former [[Toronto|City of Toronto]] department that was responsible for a variety of services including water and sewage, solid waste management, and snow removal.
The '''Toronto Works and Emergency Services''' department was responsible for a variety of services.


The department took over public works departments formerly managed by the former cities in [[Metro Toronto]], as well as waste management portion of [[Metro Toronto Works]].
== History ==
The department took over public works departments from the former cities of [[Metro Toronto]], as well as waste management portion of [[Metro Toronto Works]].  


The division reported to a deputy city manager and with the new executive committee it will report to [[Glenn De Baeremaeker]], chair of [[Public Works and Infrastructure]] committee.
In 2002, the city launched a review of water and waste water matters, which recommended the creation of a municipal service board.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Demirag |first=Istemi |url=https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Corporate_Social_Responsibility_Accounta/x8rYEAAAQBAJ?hl=fr&gbpv=1&dq=Toronto+%22Works+and+Emergency+Services%22+Department&pg=PA1978&printsec=frontcover |title=Corporate Social Responsibility, Accountability and Governance: Global Perspectives |date=2018-10-08 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-351-28170-6 |language=en |chapter=1.5.2. The traditional model of the municipal department: the case of Toronto, Ontario}}</ref> However, this was strongly opposed by the public and it was recommended instead that the Water and Wastewater Services Division become a unit within the department of Works and Emergency Services.<ref name=":0" />


==Water==
==Organization==
{{more|Toronto Water}}
The department was organised into two divisions:
[[Toronto]] maintains a network of water filtration plants, pumping stations and [[reservoirs]] providing water to the city of Toronto. Some facilities are located outside the city, there are two reservoirs and one water tank located in [[York Region]].


==Sewage==
* [[Toronto Technical Services Division]], which was concerned with environmental, emergency and engineering matters; and
In the past{{When|date=February 2011}} waste water was dumped into the lake and thus caused the waters off Toronto to become polluted. Since then{{When|date=February 2011}} the city has treated water from households and industry and commercial consumers before it returns to [[Lake Ontario]].
* Toronto Support Services Division, which was responsible for planning, financing and administration.
Initially, the division reported to a deputy city manager but, with the appointment of a new executive committee{{Clarify|reason=when?|date=June 2025}}, the division came to report to chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.


Most of the sewage treatment facilities are located along the lake and [[sludge]] is sent to dumps and to other facilities in the province:
==Activities==
The department had responsibilities for a number of services, including:


* Ashbridge's Bay Waste Treatment Plant
* water<ref>{{Cite book |last=Bakker |first=Karen |url=https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Eau_Canada/aWOKNROK9XsC?hl=fr&gbpv=1&dq=Toronto+%22Works+and+Emergency+Services%22+Department&pg=PA192&printsec=frontcover |title=Eau Canada: The Future of Canada's Water |date=2011-11-01 |publisher=UBC Press |isbn=978-0-7748-4009-5 |pages=192 |language=en}}</ref> and sewage
* Humber Bay Waste Treatment Plant
* solid waste management; and
* North Toronto Waste Treatment Plant
* snow removal.
* Highland Creek Waste Treatment Plant
* Dee Avenue Laboratory


Public works projects initiated by the city involves items like repairing sewers, water networks, and maintaining city facilities.
=== Water and sewage ===
[[Toronto]] maintained a network of water filtration plants, pumping stations and [[reservoirs]] providing water to the city. Some facilities were located outside the city, with two reservoirs and one water tank located in [[York Region]]. Sewage treatment facilities were located along [[Lake Ontario]] to treat water from households and industry and commercial consumers before there were released into the lake, while [[sludge]] was sent to dumps and other facilities in the province.


There are approximately 1600 storm sewers that drain rainwater to creeks in rivers in the city. Accidental runoff from sanitary sewers have led to severe pollution in a number of water ways.
The department also spearheaded public works projects to, amongst other things, repairs sewers, manage water networks, and maintain city facilities. For example, in 1999, Toronto piloted front-loading washing machines in public housing to assess water and energy savings.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Government of Canada |first=Public Services and Procurement Canada |title=Information archivée dans le Web |url=https://publications.gc.ca/site/archivee-archived.html?url=https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2014/schl-cmhc/NH18-22-102-137-eng.pdf |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=publications.gc.ca}}</ref> Toronto's Works and Emergency Services Department partnered with industry (including Maytag Appliances, Enbridge Consumers Gas, Procter & Gamble and Harco Company) and the Toronto Housing Company.<ref name=":1" />


Critical waterways used to drain water in the city include:
In 1998, [[Toronto Water]] took over as the body responsible for water and sewage treatment in the city.


* [[Humber River (Ontario)|Humber River]]
=== Solid Waste Management ===
* [[Don River (Toronto)|Don River]]
The department was responsible for the city's [[Solid Waste Management|solid waste management]], including [[Green Bin|green bin]] and grey box garbage collection and [[Blue box recycling system|blue box]] [[recycling]].
* [[Highland Creek (Lake Ontario)|Highland Creek]]
* [[Taylor-Massey Creek]]
* [[Etobicoke Creek]]
* [[Black Creek (Toronto)|Black Creek]]


==Solid Waste Management==
The city once owned landfills in the Greater Toronto Area but later solid waste was shipped to a city-owned landfill near [[St. Thomas, Ontario]] and another facility in [[Michigan]]. However, services for the administrative district of Etobicoke were contracted out to a private firm under a contract entered into by the former city of [[Etobicoke, Ontario|Etobicoke]].
The city's [[Solid Waste Management]] is responsible for picking up garbage and [[recycling]] in the city. Most of the services are public with Etobicoke contracted out due to previously signed by the [[Etobicoke, Ontario|former City of Etobicoke]]:


===Garbage transfer stations===
The department offered public tours of its waste facilities for people interested in learning more about recycling and garbage treatment and disposal.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Mitchell |first=Scott |url=https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/Secret_Toronto/q8BUvl2nNTAC?hl=fr&gbpv=1&dq=Toronto+%22Works+and+Emergency+Services%22+Department&pg=PA111&printsec=frontcover |title=Secret Toronto: The Unique Guidebook to Toronto's Hidden Sites, Sounds and Tastes |date=2002 |publisher=ECW Press |others=Photographs by Linda Rutenberg |isbn=978-1-55022-494-8 |location=Toronto |pages=111 |language=en |chapter=Secret Garbage}}</ref>
* Bermondsey transfer station
* Commissioner Street transfer station
* Disco transfer station
* Dufferin transfer station
* Ingram transfer station
* Scarborough transfer station
* Victoria Park transfer station


===Public Works yards===
=== Snow Removal ===
* Booth
The department was also responsible for salting and plowing city roads in winter, with 600 snowplows and 300 sidewalk [[snow removal]] equipment run by 1300 personnel.
* Disco transfer station
* Ellesmere Yard
* Etobicoke Civic Centre
* Ingram transfer station
* King Street
* Central
* Bermondsey transfer station
* Scarborough transfer station
* Yonge Street


The city once owned landfills in the Greater Toronto Area, but solid waste is now shipped to a landfill the city bought near [[St. Thomas, Ontario]] and another facility in [[Michigan]]. A list of some of the dumps being used or that were used in past:
=== Other ===
 
In 2001, the department participated in "Turn It Off" a multi-sector partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Governement of Canada |first=Natural Resources Canada |title=Turn it Off: Reducing Engine Idling Project - Executive Summary |url=https://oee.nrcan.gc.ca/transportation/idling/material/reports-research/turn-it-off-exec-summary.cfm |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=oee.nrcan.gc.ca}}</ref>
* Carleton Farms - [[Carelton, Michigan]]
* Green Lane - [[Southwold, Ontario]]
* Brock Road in Pickering - closed
* [[Keele Valley Landfill]] in Vaughan - closed
* Islington and Finch - closed
* Beare Road - closed
 
A list of waste management programs applied in [[Toronto]]:
 
* [[Recycling]] System
* [[Blue box recycling system|Blue Box]]
* [[Green Bin]]
* Composting
* Grey Box
 
==Snow Removal==
Toronto has budget money and resources for salting and plowing city roads in winter. There are 600 snowplows and 300 sidewalk [[snow removal]] equipment run by 1300 personnel.


==Fleet==
==Fleet==
The department had a fleet of vehicles, including:
* [[Sterling Trucks]] Accetra heavy duty trucks
* [[Sterling Trucks]] Accetra heavy duty trucks
* [[Peterbilt]] 357 dump trucks
* [[Peterbilt]] 357 dump trucks
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* '''Allianz''' Series 3000 street sweepers
* '''Allianz''' Series 3000 street sweepers
* Ride on street vacuums
* Ride on street vacuums
* [[Crane Carrier Corporation]] side loaders were part of the City of [[North York]]'s fleet prior to merger of the waste departments in 1998
* [[Crane Carrier Corporation]] side loaders, which were part of the City of [[North York]]'s fleet prior to merger of the waste departments in 1998
* [[Ford F-series]] pickup trucks
* [[Ford F-series]] pickup trucks.
 
==Reorganization==
The current structure is as follows:
 
* [[Toronto Technical Services Division]] - environmental, emergency and engineering
* Toronto Support Services Division - planning, financing and administration
 
[[Toronto Water]] is a new body responsible for water and sewage treatment in the city.
 
The department was formed the merger of the public works departments of each of the municipalities and with [[Metro Toronto Works]] Department).


{{Toronto Government}}
== References ==
{{Reflist}}{{Toronto Government}}
{{Toronto}}
{{Toronto}}


Latest revision as of 14:46, 25 June 2025

Template:More citations needed

File:Toronto Works Street Sweeper.jpg
Toronto Works and Emergency Services street sweeper.

Toronto Works and Emergency Services was a former City of Toronto department that was responsible for a variety of services including water and sewage, solid waste management, and snow removal.

History

The department took over public works departments from the former cities of Metro Toronto, as well as waste management portion of Metro Toronto Works.

In 2002, the city launched a review of water and waste water matters, which recommended the creation of a municipal service board.[1] However, this was strongly opposed by the public and it was recommended instead that the Water and Wastewater Services Division become a unit within the department of Works and Emergency Services.[1]

Organization

The department was organised into two divisions:

  • Toronto Technical Services Division, which was concerned with environmental, emergency and engineering matters; and
  • Toronto Support Services Division, which was responsible for planning, financing and administration.

Initially, the division reported to a deputy city manager but, with the appointment of a new executive committeeTemplate:Clarify, the division came to report to chair of the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee.

Activities

The department had responsibilities for a number of services, including:

  • water[2] and sewage
  • solid waste management; and
  • snow removal.

Water and sewage

Toronto maintained a network of water filtration plants, pumping stations and reservoirs providing water to the city. Some facilities were located outside the city, with two reservoirs and one water tank located in York Region. Sewage treatment facilities were located along Lake Ontario to treat water from households and industry and commercial consumers before there were released into the lake, while sludge was sent to dumps and other facilities in the province.

The department also spearheaded public works projects to, amongst other things, repairs sewers, manage water networks, and maintain city facilities. For example, in 1999, Toronto piloted front-loading washing machines in public housing to assess water and energy savings.[3] Toronto's Works and Emergency Services Department partnered with industry (including Maytag Appliances, Enbridge Consumers Gas, Procter & Gamble and Harco Company) and the Toronto Housing Company.[3]

In 1998, Toronto Water took over as the body responsible for water and sewage treatment in the city.

Solid Waste Management

The department was responsible for the city's solid waste management, including green bin and grey box garbage collection and blue box recycling.

The city once owned landfills in the Greater Toronto Area but later solid waste was shipped to a city-owned landfill near St. Thomas, Ontario and another facility in Michigan. However, services for the administrative district of Etobicoke were contracted out to a private firm under a contract entered into by the former city of Etobicoke.

The department offered public tours of its waste facilities for people interested in learning more about recycling and garbage treatment and disposal.[4]

Snow Removal

The department was also responsible for salting and plowing city roads in winter, with 600 snowplows and 300 sidewalk snow removal equipment run by 1300 personnel.

Other

In 2001, the department participated in "Turn It Off" a multi-sector partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.[5]

Fleet

The department had a fleet of vehicles, including:

References

Template:ReflistTemplate:Toronto Government Template:Toronto

  1. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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