Green

· Backup power generators are in place for water, wastewater,
and storm water infrastructure (treatment plants, lift stations).
Heavy snowfall event/blizzard
· Alternative traffic signal timing plans to accomplish certain
broad goals (clear the downtown core, bypass a major corridor/
intersection/interchange) will be incorporated into the new
automated traffic management system.
· There is 24-hour access to in-house and contracted resources
(staff and equipment) with priority-based response plans in
place to ensure major/critical intersections and roadways are
responded to on a priority basis.
· Five snow routes have been established and signed; each can
be declared independently to facilitate snow clearing.
Mild winter with freeze/thaw cycles and icing
· Electrical conductors are designed to withstand a two-inch
thick coating of ice with an 80 km per hour wind.
Extreme heat or cold
· In-house and contracted resources are available to respond to
water main breaks.
· Alternative water supplies are provided for affected households.
· Emergency plans are being developed to address the risk to
vulnerable populations.
Pests and invasive species
· Local, regional, and provincial surveillance activities monitor
emerging threats (Dutch Elm Disease, Zebra mussels).
· Graduated response plans have been developed for certain
threats.
The City makes it a priority to inform citizens of severe weather
through service alerts, news releases, social media, notifynow
(our mass notification system that can issue alerts on a wide scale
basis or tailored to specific neighborhoods), and dedicated news
conferences for media as required.
A communications consultant is also on call 24/7 to coordinate
these responses. Improved communication between Environment
Canada and key divisions within the City resulted in a new
severe weather advance notification system. This new service
now provides program areas with earlier information received
directly from Environment Canada when certain trigger weather
conditions exist that may affect service levels. This notification
allows divisions to prepare operational responses as early as
possible. The City of Saskatoon’s climate adaptation initiatives
and risk mitigation strategies will continue to be updated through
the corporate risk program and the corporate asset management
plan. Further refinement to asset planning and the retrofitting
of existing assets will ensure the City’s key infrastructure will
remain resilient during extreme weather events. Through the
administration’s continued work on these important plans,
and through infrastructure and asset management, any gaps
to address issues should be reduced or eliminated over time,
ensuring increased readiness to meet the needs of residents and
the City – today and tomorrow.
View the City of Saskatoon’s current Climate Adaptation
Strategy, supporting Administrative Reports and planning
documents, at www.saskatoon.ca/climate.
The City’s wastewater grit removal facility bypass avoids direct
discharge of untreated material into the South Saskatchewan River.
SUMMER 2016
URBANVoice
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