Ice Storm Updates From City of Peterborough (April 4)

As storm recovery efforts continue in the City of Peterborough, all Public Works crews and 23 contractor crews are working throughout the City, addressing hazards on roads, sidewalks, trails and in parks.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Proper food waste disposal is essential to prevent contamination and maintain community cleanliness says the City.

Residential Properties 

• Residents should use their green bin to dispose of spoiled food. All packaging must be removed before placing food waste in the bin. 

• Residents may also dispose of spoiled food waste at no charge at the City Landfill/Compost Site, 1260 Bensfort Rd., until April 14. Spoiled food waste should be removed from its packaging before disposal.  

Multi-Unit Residential and Commercial Properties 

• If the building does not have a green bin program, please coordinate with the property owner or building manager to arrange proper disposal. 

The City Landfill is also accepting residential brush, wood chips and damaged tree waste related to the ice storm at no charge until April 14.  

Curbside chipping service for large tree debris that cannot be processed through the regular yard waste curbside collection will be provided when resources can be redeployed to provide that service. Resources are dedicated to storm response efforts, addressing hazardous and critical conditions. The City will provide an update when the curbside chipping service for large tree debris will begin.

When placing tree debris at the boulevard for yard waste collection, the City asks to be mindful of sightlines for pedestrian safety and vehicular traffic. Avoid placing debris close enough to the curb that it may wash into the street during a rainstorm.

As a result of the ice storm, the City is temporarily waiving the permit requirement to remove trees on private property that have been destroyed, destabilized or structurally compromised as a direct result of the ice storm, with the following condition:

• Residents must send email notification to treebylaw@peterborough.ca, providing photos, property address, tree species information including diameter, and provide the physiological and structural condition of the tree preferably prior to removing the tree or as soon as possible after removing a tree.

City-owned trees of any size, including street trees and trees in parks and natural areas, are owned and maintained by the City and are not eligible for removal or maintenance by residents. To report an issue with a City-owned tree, please call 705-742-7777 and dial 8, or 705-745-1386 after hours and weekends.

Team Rubicon Canada is deploying volunteers to Peterborough to assist residents with downed trees and storm debris on their properties. To contact Team Rubicon for assistance, please email request_assistance@teamrubicon.ca clearly indicating the location—whether the address is in the City of Peterborough or Peterborough County—or call 647-473-8655.

With high water levels in all regional waterways and rain in the forecast, the City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility is processing extremely high volumes of water. To help reduce the demands on the sewage treatment system and assist with capacity at the facility, residents are strongly urged to conserve water over the next several days.

The municipal drinking water system has maintained operations throughout the state of emergency with no disruption to service.

Warming centres continue to be available in the City of Peterborough for residents of the City and County experiencing extended power outages as Hydro One crews continue to work to restore power to affected areas.

The City’s warming centres are open at the following locations:

• Healthy Planet Arena, banquet hall, 911 Monaghan Rd.: closed at 9 a.m. on Friday

• For Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the 24-hour warming centre is relocated to the McDonnel Street Community Centre at 577 McDonnel St. starting 9 a.m. on Friday, April 4. Food support will be provided at this location on Friday. This location is anticipated to be open until at least 9 a.m. on Monday

• Miskin Law Community Complex, 271 Lansdowne St. W.: open 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily through to at least noon on Monday

• Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.: open 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. on Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and through to at least 9 a.m. on Monday

The City is monitoring conditions and will assess needs to determine warming centre location services after Monday, April 7.

Showers are available at all Miskin Law Community Complex and the Sport and Wellness Centre during warming centre hours of operation. Community partners, including the Salvation Army, will provide food at the McDonnel Street Community Centre on Friday.

With widespread power outages continuing, please check on neighbours and loved ones.

Peterborough Transit has resumed regular service, with some detours where hazards such as downed trees affect routes. Anyone requiring Transit to visit one of the City’s warming centres will ride for free: notify the driver of the destination when boarding.

City Hall, the Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St., the Peterborough Public Library and the Peterborough Museum and Archives are open regular hours. The Provincial Offences Office at 99 Simcoe St. reopened on Friday.

Recreation facilities have returned to regular, full operations, including arenas, the pool and community centres.

The Art Gallery of Peterborough is closed for unscheduled maintenance until Sunday.

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City Urges Residents to Reduce Water Intake

Residents are asked to reduce their water use due to the high volume of rainwater runoff entering the City of Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Due to recent weather conditions stemming from last weekend’s ice storm, the wastewater treatment system is experiencing increased wet weather water volume. This increase in water flow is due to recent heavy rain and ongoing ice melt in the region, with more rain forecasted for this weekend.  

Weather conservation helps alleviate the pressure on the sewage pumping stations and treatment plant according to the City.

Residents can help conserve water by:

• Turning off taps: Don’t leave water running while brushing teeth or washing dishes.

• Shorten showers: Aim for shortened showers instead of baths, and shower in the evening if possible.

• Delay unnecessary laundry: Wait to run washing machines until there is a full load and wash clothes later in the evening.

• Fix leaks: Even small drips can waste significant amounts of water.

• Reuse water wherever possible.

The drinking water system remains unaffected by the ice storm that hit the region last weekend. The quality of the City’s drinking water continues to be safe and maintained without disruption.

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City Conducting Wellness Checks For Vulnerable Residents

The City of Peterborough Social Services division and Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association (OSARVA) members are checking in on the City’s most vulnerable residents after last weekend’s ice storm that hit the area.

Photo by Aaron Elliott.

The City is actively tracking the power outage status of community housing providers. Prioritizing seniors, residents with disabilities and vulnerable residents, OSARVA members conduct door-to-door wellness checks and deliver food hampers.

“In times like these, the strength of our community shines through. Volunteers from the Ontario Search and Rescue Volunteer Association, City staff, and organizations like Kawartha Food Share have stepped up to ensure that our most vulnerable residents are safe, fed, and supported,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “Thank you to everyone who has given their time and energy to help those in need. Let’s all take a moment to check in on our neighbors, lend a hand where we can, and continue to care for one another as we recover from this storm.”

Food hampers are coordinated through Kawartha Food Share and Feed Ontario. Around 500 hamper boxes will be distributed within the next few days according to the City.

OSARVA members have also been providing support on warming buses and at the City’s warming centres, volunteering throughout the day and night alongside City social services staff.

Social Services staff have been operating out of the Healthy Planet Arena, providing referrals to residents looking for warmth, food and a space to charge their devices. The team has also been helping young children stay occupied and entertained while they are at warming centres. 

With power outages continuing, the City encourages residents to check in on neighbours and loved ones.

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Ice Storm Updates From City of Peterborough (April 2)

Warming centres remain open for residents of the City and County experiencing extended power outages caused by the recent severe ice storm as Hydro One crews continue to work to restore power to affected areas.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The City’s three warming centres are open at the following locations through Friday:

• Healthy Planet Arena, banquet hall, 911 Monaghan Rd.: during the day and overnight, will be open until at least 9 a.m. on Friday – The City will provide an update on a location for an overnight warming centre for Friday night, if required.

• Miskin Law Community Complex, 271 Lansdowne St. W.: open 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily through Friday

• Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.: open 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. daily through Friday

Showers are available at all three locations until 11 p.m. Food is being provided by community partners, including the Salvation Army, at the Healthy Planet Arena.

With widespread power outages continuing, the City urges those to check on neighbours and loved ones.

Peterborough Transit resumed services on most routes on Tuesday morning. The Link transit service to Curve Lake First Nation and Selwyn Township is operational. A warming bus will be stationed at 486 Donegal St. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or until power is restored.

The Social Services office at 178 Charlotte St., the Peterborough Public Library and the Peterborough Museum and Archives are open for its regular hours.

Recreation facilities, including arenas, the pool, and community centres, are returning to normal and full operations.

The Art Gallery of Peterborough at 250 Crescent St. and the Provincial Offences Office at 99 Simcoe St. are closed.

Curbside garbage, green bin, and yard waste collection will proceed regularly this week.

Public Works crews continue to respond to downed trees on streets and sidewalks, addressing hazardous situations.

All City parks are officially closed due to the risk of falling trees and tree limbs caused by ice accumulation.

Riverview Park and Zoo remains closed due to extensive tree damage. Damage is being assessed, and recovery efforts are being planned to determine when the zoo can safely reopen for visitors. The care of the animals is being maintained and the animals are safe.

As the City prepares for freezing rain and rainfall, with alerts issued by Environment Canada, residents are strongly urged to conserve water use to reduce the volume of water processed by the sewage pumping stations.

Regular yard waste curbside collection service begins this week.

Residential yard waste and tree debris can be dropped off at the City-County Landfill, 1260 Bensfort Rd., free of charge, until April 14.

Curbside chipping service for large tree debris that cannot be processed through the regular yard waste curbside collection will be provided when resources can be redeployed to provide that service. Resources are dedicated to storm response efforts, addressing hazardous and critical conditions. An update will be provided when the curbside chipping service for large tree debris will begin.

As a result of the ice storm, the City is temporarily waiving the permit requirement to remove trees on private property that have been destroyed, destabilized or structurally compromised as a direct result of the ice storm, with the following condition:

• Residents must send email notification to treebylaw@peterborough.ca, providing photos, property address, tree species information including diameter, and provide the physiological and structural condition of the tree preferably prior to removing the tree or as soon as possible after removing a tree.

City-owned trees of any size, including street trees and trees in parks and natural areas, are owned and maintained by the City and are not eligible for removal or maintenance by residents. To report an issue with a City-owned tree, please call 705-742-7777 and dial 8, or 705-745-1386 after hours and weekends. Residents are urged not to touch or attempt to move tree limbs that are on or near Hydro lines. These hazards should be reported to Hydro One by calling the reporting line at 1-800-434-1235.

Peterborough Fire Services reminds residents using backup generators and equipment like a gas-powered cooking stove or charcoal grill to follow safe practices to avoid risks from carbon monoxide.

Peterborough Public Health provides information on food safety and storage, including safety guidance related to extended power outages following the ice storm. Please follow this guidance and monitor food spoilage.

Residents are asked to properly prepare food waste for green bin collection. All packaging must be removed from food waste before placing it in green bins to ensure efficient processing. The City is actively working to ensure seamless waste collection on streets affected by downed power lines.

Additionally, residents bringing food waste to the landfill must remove any packaging beforehand. Food waste brought to the landfill with packaging cannot be processed as compost and will be directed to landfill disposal instead.

The Beach Boys concert at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Friday and the Peterborough Home, Garden and Cottage Show at Healthy Planet Arena on Saturday and Sunday are expected to proceed as scheduled.

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