The 2010 proposed rates for Solid Waste Management Services and Toronto Water, made public today through the notification process that precedes the introduction of the 2010 proposed capital and operating budgets, will maintain critical progress toward waste diversion and infrastructure renewal priorities set by City Council while demonstrating sound fiscal management.

For Solid Waste Management Services the City Manager is recommending a 2% increase on single residential curbside and multi-residential bulk collection rates. This translates into a $4 to $8 annual increase per residential household depending on the size of garbage bin or a $5 annual increase for the average home. For Toronto Water, a 9% rate increase for 2010 is proposed, which aligns with the increases recommended through to 2014 and that would result in an average annual increase of approximately $51 per household.

For Solid Waste Management Services, the proposed 2% rate increase is significantly lower than the 3.5% annual increase estimated by the division that it would need when the volume-based rate structures were first introduced in 2008. The 2% increase allows Solid Waste Management Services to continue to implement new waste diversion initiatives in support of the Council-approved Target 70 Plan to achieve 70% waste diversion.

Recommended 2010 residential annual curbside collection rates (the annual rebate per household remains at $209):

Small bin: $199 (2009) to $203 (2010); an increase of $4.

Medium bin: $248 (2009) to $253 (2010); an increase of $5.

Large bin: $342 (2009) to $349 (2010); an increase of $7.

Extra large bin: $399 (2009) to $407 (2010); an increase of $8.

The cost of a residential bag tag for excessive waste and the cost of a yellow bag for commercial and industrial customers will remain unchanged at $3.10.

Toronto Water, with its recommended rate increase will continue to implement an ambitious capital works program that will replace aging infrastructure and help prepare the city for the impacts of climate change.

The official statutory notices announcing the proposed rate increases can be found at:

Water: http://www.toronto.ca/involved/statutorynotices/archive2009/sept/sn_bu_101909.htm.

Solid Waste: http://www.toronto.ca/involved/statutorynotices/archive2009/sept/sn_bu_101909_1.htm.

More information will be available on the proposed 2010 Solid Waste Management Services and Toronto Water budgets when reports are prepared for consideration by Budget Committee on October 19.