Managing the community’s important assets
It may not be something many of us think about, but a lot of work goes into keeping the community’s essential services running now and into the future.
The Region of Waterloo has many assets you rely on – the landfill, water and wastewater treatment plants, road and bridges. Regional Council makes many decisions about how to keep these assets in good shape, so the Region can provide essential services and get the most out of money invested.
On Erb Street on the edge of Waterloo, a new landfill cell has just opened to preserve the environment while prolonging the life of the landfill. A landfill cell is a large hole dug into the ground that holds the community’s waste. It is constructed with an engineered liner to protect the groundwater, surface water, and air we breathe.
In this Council’s Corner story, learn how we manage the community’s most important assets – like the landfill – and what that means for you.
Learn more about this new landfill cell and how it’s designed to protect the environment.
Because it takes about four years to complete a new landfill cell, preparation has already begun on the next one. This ensures we never run out of space and can continue to accept waste for years to come.
With 21-25 years of life left at the Erb Street location, the Region is working on a long-term landfill strategy.
The landfill is a unique asset owned by the Region of Waterloo. Unlike bridges or water treatment plants, it can’t be repaired to extend its usefulness. The only way to extend the life of our landfill is by slowing down how quickly it’s filled. Once full, the Region will monitor the landfill over decades to ensure it does not create long-term environmental impacts.