Some environmental initiatives
The City of Mount Pearl endeavors to provide a clean, healthy, pleasant environment for all its citizens and in attempting to do so has a number of ongoing environmental initiatives that are undertaken as part of its normal operations. These programs occur throughout the municipality with the various departments having involvement in a number of environmental issues pertaining to their area of service delivery. The Engineering Services Division of the Infrastructure and Public Works Department is directly involved in a number of initiatives in the area of drinking water, storm water and energy management.
Water Quality
In the area of drinking water the Engneering Division conducts both water quality and water conservation programs. In terms of water quality the City performs weekly testing of drinking water for biological parameters. City staff takes a minimum of 11 samples per week from various areas throughout Mount Pearl and forwards them to the provincial public health laboratory for testing. In addition to this, City staff performs quarterly sampling for chemical/physical parameters of the drinking water as outlined in the Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines, as well as daily sampling for disinfection residuals within the distribution system. These samples are in addition to the sampling conducted by staff of the Regional Water Authority and the Provincial Government.
As part of the City's water conservation program, the City currently has two ongoing initiatives. To ensure appropriate levels of water usage, the City has introduced a Water Conservation Program which governs watering of lawns, washing vehicles, cleaning of sidewalks, etc. This program is in effect year-round and establishes both time of day for watering of lawns and equipment to be used for exterior residential water usage. Residents are reminded on an annual basis through radio announcement and mail-outs. This Water Conservation Policy can be viewed on the City's website: www.mountpearl.ca
Mount Pearl has also entered into a public/private partnership with a local consulting firm to perform a detailed investigation of the City's water distribution system to identify and locate water leaks. Mount Pearl has dedicated additional resources to repairing of identified leaks. The City now has two new water meters installed by the Regional Water System on the two main water entry points into Mount Pearl which provide continuous and accurate readings of our overall water consumption. The City is working towards having remote monitoring placed on this equipment to provide more timely access to water consumption numbers on a daily basis.
Storm Water Management
Mount Pearl has developed and is continuing to refine a set of storm water management guidelines for all new construction and development within its boundaries.
The purpose of these guidelines is to prevent, where it is practicable, any increase in runoff to the various streams and drainage channels around Mount Pearl once the new development is completed. These guidelines have been in use for several years and have been generally accepted by developers as a reasonable environmental initiative to protect our ground and surface water sources. Mount Pearl has also included these guidelines within its own land development projects. These guidelines are used by individuals and subdivision developers.
Energy Management Control System
The City is currently into the 5th year of an 8-year private/public partnership program on energy management for various major City facilities. The City incorporated a computerized energy management system that sets schedules, temperatures and ventilation controls based on occupancy and time of day parameters. This has proven to be a very successful venture, based on the high success level being experienced with capital costs being paid from energy savings - current projections indicate an early payout for the project.
This program is considered a success from two aspects - one being the major decrease in energy consumption by the municipality and the other being the corresponding financial savings that will be realized long-term by the municipality. Mount Pearl is continuing its review of all operational areas to seek further opportunities for environmental enhancements throughout the municipality.