News Releases

On January 11, 2021 Saskatoon’s Solid Waste Reduction & Diversion Plan (the Plan) will be presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities, and Corporate Services. This plan provides a detailed picture of the City’s progress on waste diversion and lays out a roadmap for actions needed to achieve the 70% waste diversion target from the Saskatoon Landfill set by City Council in 2015.

“The plan is founded upon local data, community engagement and national best practice.  It considers the significant strides projected for the waste projects - like curbside organics and Recovery Park - that are starting and outlines actions to achieve the remainder of the waste reduction target over the next ten years,” says Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability.

Saskatoon currently sits at 24% waste diversion, while approved programs such as curbside organics (2023), Recovery Park (2023), and Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) recycling and organics (2022-2024) are expected to increase the diversion rate to 41–54%.

The Plan, however, looks not only at waste diversion but also to waste reduction. Multi-unit organics, construction & demolition waste diversion, diversion from civic facilities, landfill disposal bans, and single-use items and food waste reduction programs, just to name a few, could position Saskatoon to achieve a 51 – 79% diversion rate. Implementation of the Plan would bring waste management in Saskatoon in line with comparable Canadian municipalities and make Saskatoon a leader in the Prairie Provinces.

“The benefits of the plan’s actions can be looked at from the broader civic, environmental, social and economic perspectives to understand how it contributes to a healthy community,” says South, “while it leads to waste reduction, diversion and improved landfill asset management, implementation of the Plan’s actions also would result in lower greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable and equitable services for residents, and importantly, new economic opportunities.”

The complete Plan, administrative report, fact sheet and future updates can be found at https://www.saskatoon.ca/environmental-initiatives/solid-waste.

At the direction of City Council, City crews will early this month begin a one-time snow removal initiative for secondary paths in parks. 

In an effort to get people to enjoy Saskatoon’s winter and not just endure it, Council asked the Administration to provide a report on the cost and results for a one-time clearing of secondary pathways in City-owned parks.

Following the December 21, 2020 City Council approval, the one-time snow removal began the first week of January and is expected to take approximately a week to complete.

There are 35.4 KM of secondary pathways throughout City parks that have been challenging to use since the November 2020 snowstorm.   Pathways classified as secondary within city-owned parks are unlit park paths surfaced with either asphalt, red shale or crusher dust and have sufficient width to accommodate snow clearing equipment.  These pathways are typically not cleared.  Sections that will not enhance the opportunity to take longer walks through parks will remain uncleared.  The one-time cost is $14,400.

*Corrects bathing information*

The City of Saskatoon is asking citizens to limit their water use effective immediately for essential use only.

Water quality is not affected -- it is safe.

Examples of essential use:

Cooking

Hand washing

Keeping surfaces clean

Washing dishes
 

Examples of Non-essential use:

Bathing

Washing vehicles

Flooding rinks

Several loads of laundry

Due to large amounts of sanding in the river, the primary intake of the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) has been significantly impacted, as a result this is also affecting filtration capacity at the WTP.

The WTP is currently switching to the backup intake on site and making adjustments at the water treatment plant to return them to normal operating conditions.

This change is more effective at lower flow rates and that is why we are requesting residents and business to limit their water use.

We are hopeful we will be able to have the upset conditions resolved in the next six hours. 

The City of Saskatoon will notify residents when full plant capacity resumes.

The City thanks everyone for their patience and cooperation. Questions on the mandatory restrictions can be directed to our 24-hour Customer Care Centre at 306-975-2476.

Once again, SGI and Saskatoon Transit have partnered to offer free late-night transit service on New Year’s Eve.

“Having free Transit service on New Year’s Eve removes any financial barrier to planning a safe ride home after a night out,” says Jim McDonald, Director, Saskatoon Transit. “We encourage everyone to plan their route before heading out using the real-time mobile app Transit.”   

Residents are encouraged to think about using a variety of transportation modes on busy nights like New Year’s Eve. Multi-modal options are available on the Transit app. You can plan your trip taking the bus out of the downtown or busy areas and book your ride share for the short distance home all from inside the app. Transit+ seamlessly integrates a Riide vehicle with a transit connection, hailing a Riide to connect your bus journey with a vehicle for hire.

By combining modes of transportation residents can minimize wait times and costs.

Free bus service will be available on Friday, December 31, from 7:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. on January 1 (times may vary slightly by route).

Masks are required on Transit. Click here for more information on current health and safety measures in place on Saskatoon Transit.

For a transit schedule go to SaskatoonTranist.ca/route-and-schedules, use the transit app or call 306.975.3100 for help with trip planning.

“I can’t stress this enough: plan for a safe ride home. There is no reason for impaired driving, especially on New Year’s Eve,” McDonald says. “We are thankful to have SGI as a partner in providing free transit service on New Year’s Eve.”

Access Transit is free for registered customers as well but must be reserved.