The recent Integrated Site Energy Master Plan completed for the Lou Romano Water Reclamation Plant and the Little River Pollution Control plant identified anaerobic digestion as a feasible option for managing sewage sludge. This study also identified the opportunities to co-mingle sewage sludge with source separated organics.

Early estimates indicate that anaerobic digestion of the City’s sewage sludge and collected organics could offset 70,000 tonnes of CO2 through the generation of renewable natural gas.

There is significant opportunity for working alongside neighbouring municipalities in order to create a regional biosolids management program (CCAP Strategy G3). This would increase the available feedstock for the system and improve the economic feasibility of the system through economies of scale.

The next step for this initiative is to undertake a feasibility study to determine the appropriate biosolids disposal strategy and identify opportunities for regional collaboration along with exploring the opportunity to co-mingle source separated organics as identified in CCAP Strategy G3.

A 2016 Capital account has already established a project called Biosolids Disposal Strategies (project 7161018) with funding to hire a consultant to investigate the various technologies pertaining to bio-solids reduction, harnessing of bio-gas and disposal of bio-solids. This funding is currently available to proceed with this next step.

Active Transportation Master Plan (Walk Wheel Windsor)

Active transportation describes human powered forms for transportation typically including walking, cycling, in-line skating and skateboarding. Public transit is also included in the context of active transportation as every public transit ride begins with walking or cycling. Providing effective and safe infrastructure for these activities entices communities to utilize these transport methods, which contributes greatly to emissions reductions and the equally important livability of a city. Using active transportation benefits the health of those who participate, saves them money by eliminating or reducing the need for an automobile, and positively contributes to local businesses as those walking or riding through a shopping district are more likely to patronize those businesses compared to those in a vehicle. It can also contribute to the reduction of traffic, which improves local air quality and relieves congestion.

Walk Wheel Windsor, Windsor’s Active Transportation Masterplan was recently presented to Council and this plan outlines a transformative strategy for improving comprehensiveness as well as safety of the network. This plan recommends a number of actions dealing with active transportation infrastructure, maintenance, and policy. These recommended actions include a recommendation to build on the existing bicycle and pedestrian network with the installation of an additional 914 km of sidewalks, off-street pathways, and on-street bicycle facilities. The overall target of the plan is a 20% non-auto mode share by 2031 and a 25% non-auto mode share by 2041, resulting in an emissions reduction of 60,000 tonnes of CO2 per year upon full build-out.