City of Peterborough Opens Sandbag Filling Stations Amid Rising Water Levels

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The City of Peterborough has opened its sandbag filling stations to support residents in affected areas as water levels rise along the Trent-Severn Waterway. 

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The stations will operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday at Graham Avenue and Lillian Street and at Riverside Drive and Steele Avenue. Sand and bags will be provided. 

Water levels are rising along the Trent-Severn Waterway due to ongoing wet weather and snowmelt from the watershed's northern regions. As a result, water levels are increasing along the Otonabee River and localized flooding may occur in low-lying areas of the City. 

Public Works crews will be on site to assist residents with filling sandbags. Residents are responsible for placing sandbags on their own properties. The City recommends placing sandbags around basement window wells and doors. 

Shorelines and riverbeds should be considered unstable due to high and fast-moving water. Residents should use extreme caution near shorelines. Children should be closely supervised and pets should be leashed at all times. 

With high water levels on the region's waterways and recent rainfall, the City’s Wastewater Treatment Facility is processing extremely high volumes of water. To help reduce demand on the sewage treatment system and support capacity at the facility, residents are strongly urged to conserve water over the next several days. 

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Trent-Severn Waterway Flood Warning Issued

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A Flood Warning for the Trent-Severn Waterway within the jurisdiction of Otonabee Conservation has been issued.

photo courtesy of otonabee conservation.

Updated forecasts indicate significant rainfall over the next five days, combined with increased runoff from rain and snowmelt in the Haliburton-Reservoir Lakes region. As a result, water levels and flows are expected to rise rapidly, and flooding in low-lying areas is imminent, particularly along the Otonabee River.

Initially issued as a Flood Watch, the Flood Status was upgraded to a Warning on Friday.

Current conditions pose a high risk to public safety and may result in property damage in flood-prone areas. Residents are reminded to stay away from shorelines and dams due to hazardous conditions.

Residents are advised to monitor conditions and take appropriate action to protect themselves and their property against imminent or occurring flooding. Stay informed by monitoring weather updates and water levels or subscribe on our website to receive flood messages directly.

Water levels can be monitored online at:

This Flood Warning will expire April 16 at 3 p.m., unless updated earlier.

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Beavermead Park Tree Planting and Soil Restoration To Take Place This Spring

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Tree planting will take place in the Beavermead Park parking lot area this spring as part of the ongoing restoration and reinvestment in urban forest health following the March 2025 ice storm. 

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

To prepare for the tree plantings, stump removal and soil remediation work is scheduled to take place in the Beavermead Park parking lot area beginning April 13.

The City is moving forward with enhancements to Beavermead Park as part of its Federation of Canadian Municipalities, Green Municipal Fund, Growing Canada Community Canopies (FCM-GCCC) Tree Planting Project. 

Beavermead Park was selected due to the significant number of trees impacted by the March 2025 ice storm. 

The project focuses on restoring parking lot islands, including the removal of 33 tree stumps and remediation of the soil within the parking lot islands. Restoring soil conditions and removing barriers to planting creates the foundation needed to support long-term tree health and continued canopy growth. 

New trees will then be planted in the parking lot islands, which will reduce heat buildup and enhance community health and wellbeing. Trees in the parking lot area are estimated to be replanted during the Spring 2026 planting season, with approximately 45 native trees planted through contracted tree planting services made possible by the FCM-GCCC grant. This planting will contribute to the City’s urban forest canopy goals and align with the City’s Strategic Plan by enhancing both the natural and recreational value of the park. 

Work is expected to take approximately one week. During this time, the parking lot area will be reduced to allow for site remediation work. The park will remain open. Half of the parking lot will be temporarily barricaded during each phase of work, with parking remaining available for public use in areas where work is not occurring. 

For more information on the City’s Urban Forest Strategic Plan, visit the link.

For questions or concerns, contact the Urban Forestry Program via phone (ext.1380) or email.

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Public Input Sought on Waste Services Clean Streets Peterborough

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The City of Peterborough is seeking community input to support Clean Streets Peterborough, a review of waste collection, litter management, and garbage on streets, in parks, on trails and in public spaces across the city. 

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The review will assess how waste services are delivered and identify opportunities to improve and modernize delivery. It will also evaluate how well current programs meet the needs of a growing and changing community, according to Cassandra Babcock, Public Works Operations Director.

“As our services evolve, it is important that we hear directly from those who rely on them,” she said. “Public input will help guide future improvements and ensure our programs continue to meet community needs.”  

Feedback is being collected to understand how current programs are working and where improvements may be needed.

Input will help inform the evaluation of:  

  • Collection schedules and service levels  

  • Waste diversion programs  

  • Public education  

  • Enforcement  

  • Waste-related by-laws  

  • Landfill operations

  • Placement and maintenance of waste bins in parks, trails, and high-traffic areas

Survey feedback will inform future service planning and support ongoing efforts to maintain a clean and sustainable city and the survey will go live at a later date.

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City of Peterborough's Spring Road Maintenance and Litter Cleanup Are Underway

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Spring road maintenance and cleanup are underway across the city which includes litter collection, street sweeping, pavement crack sealing, pothole repairs and the return of weekly yard waste collection. 

Recreation, Parks & Cultural Services maintains 390 garbage bins across more than 100 parks and along the City’s trail system and will begin litter cleanup in those areas in the coming weeks. A total of 334 tonnes of litter and garbage were collected from city parks and trails in 2025.  Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Weekly yard waste resumes on Tuesday until the end of November. Residents can place unlimited quantities of yard waste in reusable, labelled containers, bushel baskets, or paper yard waste bags. 

Yard waste set-out requirements: 

  • Rigid open-top container with a maximum volume of 80 litres, with two fixed handles; lids must be removable and not secured 

  • Bins must have two clearly identifiable yellow labels (available at City Hall, 500 George St. N.) 

  • Brown paper bags or bushel baskets are accepted; no plastic bags 

  • Damaged or broken bins will not be collected 

  • Weight limit: 13 kg (30 lbs) 

  • Brush must be bundled (max 1 m length, 30 cm diameter) 

  • Set out after 6 p.m. the night before or by 7 a.m. on collection day

City crews have begun litter cleanup and expect the work to continue over several weeks due to the volume of debris. 

As snow melts, litter that accumulated over the winter becomes visible in parks, along streets and on sidewalks. 

Litter can harm wildlife, pollute waterways and attract pests. Residents are encouraged to dispose of waste properly. If a garbage receptacle is full, residents can report it online at peterborough.ca/ServiceRequest. 

For more information on litter cleanup, including how to request a litter clean-up kit visit, peterborough.ca/LitterAction. 

City crews will sweep all roadways, City-owned sidewalks, trails and parking lots in April and May. The work typically takes about seven weeks to complete, depending on weather conditions. Many areas may receive a second sweep as needed.  

This year, crews will begin in the west end, followed by south, east and north. Overnight crews will sweep arterial streets and the downtown area. 

City street sweeping removes winter sand and salt from roads and helps prevent debris from entering the stormwater system. Street sweeping also improves the cleanliness and appearance of streets, sidewalks and parking lots. 

Residents can assist by removing sports nets from streets, placing garbage and recycling containers on lawns or driveways and avoiding on-street parking during sweeping operations. Drivers are asked to proceed cautiously around street sweeping equipment. 

Crack sealing in asphalt began at the end of March and is expected to continue through the summer into early fall. While no full road closures are planned, traffic may be reduced to one lane in each direction on collector and arterial roads and reduced to single-lane access with flagging operations on local streets. 

To review planned locations, visit the City’s construction map at peterborough.ca/ConstructionMap. Locations will be added to the map as they are approved throughout the season.

City crews will patch potholes as weather conditions permit. Repairs are prioritized in high-traffic areas and locations where road damage poses safety concerns. 

Motorists are reminded to slow down, exercise caution and leave a safe distance when approaching maintenance crews. 

Road inspections and repairs are conducted year-round in accordance with Provincial Maintenance Standards, with increased focus during the spring thaw. 

Freeze–thaw cycles place stress on road surfaces as moisture enters cracks in the asphalt, freezes and expands. When temperatures rise, weakened pavement can break apart under traffic, resulting in potholes. 

Residents can report potholes by: 

In addition to seasonal cleanup work, several road maintenance programs will take place across the city this spring and summer. Restoration of utility cuts made over the winter will begin in late April and continue throughout the spring and summer. 

Commercial vehicles are restricted to half-loads on designated streets within the City of Peterborough until April 30, 2026. Half-load restrictions help protect roadways during the spring thaw, when pavement structures experience reduced load-bearing capacity due to freeze–thaw conditions. 

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Rotary Club of Peterborough Offering Thousands in Funding for Local Green Startups and Environmental Innovators

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The Rotary Club of Peterborough is rewarding thousands of dollars in funding through the Rotary Environmental Innovators Fund (REIF) to local green startups and environmental innovators.

The following were last year's recipients of REIF: Wildrock Outfitters / Kawartha Land Trust, Woodleigh Farms, Clean Energy Generation, Taproots for Tomorrow and Second Nature Studio. Last year saw 16 applicants for local projects. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Rotary Environmental Innovators Fund (REIF) is an initiative of the Rotary Club of Peterborough, with the goal of identifying, funding and elevating local environmental innovators whose ideas can make a measurable difference in the region and beyond.

REIF is currently seeking proposals from students, entrepreneurs, community leaders and small businesses developing local solutions to environmental challenges.

Up to $3,000 is available for initiatives that address:

● Climate action and energy efficiency

● Land and water conservation

● Waste reduction and circular economy solutions

● Sustainable food systems and regenerative practices

● Eco-conscious innovation in product and service design

More than $30,000 has been awarded to successful applicants since the fund’s inception in 2023.

Applicants are encouraged to visit the website to download an application form and learn more about this opportunity.

The deadline for applications is April 2 with the winners announced at a reception on May 11. at the Rotary Club of Peterborough’s regular lunch meeting.

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City of Peterborough Encourages Temporary Water Conservation During Wet-Weather Events

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The City of Peterborough is encouraging residents to temporarily reduce non-essential water use to help lower the volume of water entering the City of Peterborough Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The City is issuing the warning following heavy snowmelt and a winter with substantial snow accumulation, with heavy rainfall forecast for Wednesday.

According to the City, heavy rainfall and spring snowmelt can significantly increase the amount of water entering the municipal wastewater system, placing additional pressure on the sewer infrastructure during wet-weather events.  

The Wastewater Treatment Plant is experiencing higher-than-normal flows of water into the facility for treatment. It is operating within capacity and treatment is taking place as expected. 

During major wet-weather events, rainwater and melting snow can enter the sanitary sewer through foundation drains, cracks in pipes, and improperly connected sump pumps or downspouts. This additional flow, known as inflow and infiltration, adds to the volume that must be carried and treated. 

To help manage these temporary increases, residents are encouraged to reduce non-essential water use for short periods during significant rainfall or snowmelt events. When many households take simple steps to limit indoor water use, these actions help lower peak flows and reduce pressure on sewer pipes and pumping stations during extreme conditions.

Residents can assist by delaying laundry and dishwasher use, taking shorter showers, avoiding full bathtub fills and turning off taps when not in use. Homeowners can also help reduce stormwater entering the sanitary system by ensuring sump pumps discharge outside, keeping downspouts disconnected from sanitary sewers, and directing roof drainage away from foundations. 

These actions help reduce pressure on the wastewater system during wet weather periods.

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City of Peterborough Receives 2025 Sustainability Award for Battery Recycling

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After diverting 22,689 kg of batteries from landfill last year, the City of Peterborough has been named a recipient of the Leaders in Sustainability Awards by Call2Recycle Canada. 

The City participates in the Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! The program is operated by Call2Recycle Canada, providing convenient battery recycling options throughout the community. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The collection was done through the City’s participation in the Recycle Your Batteries, Canada! program. 

The Leaders in Sustainability Awards recognize organizations that demonstrate exceptional environmental leadership by responsibly managing end-of-life batteries and making measurable contributions to Canada’s circular economy. 

In 2025, Call2Recycle reported its most successful year to date, collecting more than eight million kilograms of batteries across Canada, a 17 per cent increase over the previous year. 

Proper battery recycling prevents hazardous materials from entering landfills and supports resource recovery by reclaiming metals such as lithium and nickel for reuse. 

Batteries can be dropped off at the following City of Peterborough locations: 

  • City Hall, 500 George St. N 

  • Household Hazardous Waste Depot, 400 Pido Rd. 

  • Healthy Planet Arena, 911 Monaghan Rd. 

  • Kinsmen Civic Centre, 1 Kinsmen Way

  • Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St. 

  • Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.

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City Invites Restaurants To Participate In Community Green Bin Initiative

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The City of Peterborough invites restaurants and food-generating businesses within the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area to participate in the organic waste diversion program, a community Green Bin initiative.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Launched on Oct. 31, 2023, the City’s Green Bin program, with about 28,000 households, started an organic waste collection service. According to a press release, the service has significantly increased waste diversion from landfill. The organics collection is being extended to the commercial sector to further strengthen Peterborough’s sustainability efforts. 

The Phase 2 project starts with approximately 25 voluntary participants, primarily restaurants in the downtown and surrounding areas, with the potential inclusion of other food-generating establishments. This focused approach allows the City to refine collection methods, address logistical considerations and optimize service routes before broader expansion, as stated by the City. 

According to the City, by participating, businesses can: 

  • Reduce garbage volumes

  • Keep food out of the landfill

  • Cut greenhouse gas emissions

  • Turn food scraps into compost and valuable resources

  • Demonstrate environmental leadership

  • Support Peterborough’s sustainability goals

Businesses interested in participating in the project can complete a form by March 6.

Businesses not selected for the initial rollout of the project will be considered as the program expands. 

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Blue Box Program to Accept More Recyclable Items Starting Jan. 1

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Starting Jan. 1, Peterborough residents will be able to recycle more items through the Province’s Blue Box program.  

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

Circular Materials, a not-for-profit organization, manages the recycling collection and processing program in the City of Peterborough through its local contractor, Emterra Environmental, under Ontario’s Blue Box Regulation. Recycling collection and processing in the City of Peterborough was assumed by Circular Materials effective Jan. 1, 2024. 

The expanded list of items eligible for recycling through the Blue Box program is part of Ontario’s move to Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which shifts responsibility for recycling to the companies that produce packaging and paper products.  

The changes to the Blue Box program allow the same recyclable materials to be accepted across the province and more items can now be recycled.  

Newly accepted items include: 

  • Black plastic containers 

  • Hot and cold beverage cups 

  • Deodorant and toothpaste tubes 

  • Frozen juice containers 

  • Ice cream tubs and similar packaging 

  • Foam packaging, including meat trays, takeout containers, cups, plates, bowls and foam packaging for products 

  • Flexible packaging, which includes potato chip bags, bubble wrap, snack wrappers, cereal box liners, deli pouches and plastic gift bags

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