Water and Wastewater

February 8, 2012

Ontario court finds privilege clause in tender permits bypass of lowest bidder

In a formal binding bidding process, owners are under an implied duty to award to the low bid. However, this duty remains subject to exceptions, particularly where the owner includes reserved rights and privileges in its tender call that permit a bypass of the low bid or the cancellation of the tendering process.

February 7, 2012

Environmental assessment underway for Niagara, Ontario wastewater plant construction

The Regional Municipality of Niagara, Ontario announced a public information centre is scheduled February 8 for the possible construction of a new wastewater treatment plant in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

February 7, 2012

York Region, Ontario approves subway construction expenditures

The Regional Municipality of York, which is the upper level of municipal government for cities and towns immediately north of Toronto, recently approved a capital budget that includes $332.2 million for rapid transit construction projects.

February 2, 2012

Ontario should review Municipal Class Environmental Assessment criteria: Report

A review of Ontario’s Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) concluded that the province should review certain criteria that will help determine projects likely to have fewer rather than larger environmental impacts. The report, by environmental lawyer Frank Zechner, was commissioned by the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO)

February 2, 2012

Minto office tower in Ottawa scores top BOMA rating

A Minto Group Ottawa office tower became the first building in that city to receive BOMA’s highest level of recognition for excellence in environmental best practices within the commercial building industry.

January 31, 2012

Mark Van Bree takes over as Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association president

Don Sloat, outgoing president of the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association, passed the torch over to incoming president Mark Van Bree at the OSWCA annual general meeting and conference. The OSWCA worked with other organizations to re-introduce the One Call Act, which went through first and second reading at Queen’s Park. If passed, the Act would establish Ontario One Call Ltd. as a not-for-profit call centre, single point-of contact, for all underground utility location services in Ontario.

January 25, 2012

British Columbia wastewater plant gets $8.1 million from federal gas tax

Wastewater treatment for Abbotsford, Mission, Sumas and Langley, British Columbia will receive a substantial upgrade with $8.1 million from Canada’s Gas Tax Fund.

January 20, 2012

Hamilton, Ontario bridge funded by gas tax

Construction was recently completed on a new bridge on Parkdale Avenue over Lawrence Road, thanks to the Gas Tax Fund, in Hamilton, Ontario.

January 20, 2012

Federal gas tax supports solar energy projects in Wawa, Ontario

The Municipality of Wawa, Ontario has installed solar panels on five municipal buildings with partial funding from the federal Gas Tax Fund.

January 19, 2012

Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association lauds Toronto 2012 water rate change

As Toronto politicians, labour leaders and pundits argue over the city’s tax-supported proposed budget the head of the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association (OSWCA) is praising city council for approving a nine per cent increase in water rates.

January 17, 2012

RBC Centre largest LEED New Construction project

The 1.2 million-square-foot RBC Centre is now the largest certified LEED New Construction project in Canada.

January 16, 2012

Cornwall, Ontario invites bids for wastewater plant construction

The City of Cornwall, Ontario is taking bids for a construction project at its wastewater treatment facility. Bids are due February 14 and an information session is scheduled Jan. 18.

January 13, 2012

Haldimand, Ontario county council approves $21.56-million 2012 capital budget

The Haldimand County Council, which administers an area south of Hamilton, Ontario, has approved capital expenditures in 2012 of $21.56 million, including the start of construction of fire hall and ambulance facilities in 2013 in Cayuga and Hagersville.

January 12, 2012

Condos have various energy saving management tools

Today, condominium corporations have a number of options that can significantly reduce energy costs. New, innovative and practical systems developed by energy saving companies in combination with government incentives provide the platform.