'Extreme rainfall' could add billions in costs to Ontario's water infrastructure upkeep: FAO
Ontario's Financial Accountability Officer estimates more frequent extreme rain will add $6.2 billion to the cost of maintaining waste and stormwater infrastructure by 2030.
In a report unveiled Tuesday, the FAO anticipates proactively making pipes, mains, and culverts more climate change-resistant would cost $71 billion by 2100 if greenhouse gas emissions don't dramatically increase.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
That figure climbs to $88 billion if no adaptions are made, and $89 billion if the changes are reactive.
In a higher-emission scenario with only reactive changes made, maintenance costs could hit $148 billion.
But Peter Weltman explains those numbers don't capture all the risks.
"When you don't adapt your infrastructure, then you leave it vulnerable to overland flooding as a result of the infrastructure not being able to get the water out of there."
Pedestrians with umbrellas make their way through a passage during heavy rains in Toronto on Saturday December 12, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
The FAO did not dig into the potential damage caused to homes and businesses in the event of flooding that might be prevented by more climate-resistant infrastructure.
Storm and wastewater systems are owned by Ontario municipalities, but cities and towns are limited in the ways they generate revenue to cover big changes.
A spokesperson for Ontario's Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks says the government is committed to working with partners to keep waste and stormwater systems resilient and ready for the challenges ahead.
In an email, Daniel Stauss highlighted a $25-million investment to proactively build, upgrade and rehabilitate infrastructure.
The government is also developing a manual to provide guidance to municipalities, developers, and property owners on how to protect the environment, reduce and prepare for flood risk.
For Ontario Green Party leader Mike Schreiner, the FAO report emphasizes the need to have a credible plan to reduce climate pollution and to protect wetlands, and the Greenbelt.
Schreiner calls the extra spending needed for water infrastructure a result of the Premier's inaction on the climate file.
In other reports, the FAO estimated climate-related costs tied to transportation infrastructure and public buildings would total a combined $20 billion by 2030.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Iran President Ebrahim Raisi found dead at helicopter crash site, state media says
Iranian president, the country’s foreign minister and others have been found dead at the site of a helicopter crash Monday after a search through a foggy, mountainous region of the country’s northwest.
The push to Parliament's summer hiatus is about to begin, here's what you need to know
When MPs file back in to the House of Commons on Tuesday, it will be for the final five-week parliamentary push before hitting the barbecue circuit. Looking ahead to what could be a raucous rush to the summer hiatus, CTVNews.ca spoke with top House representatives to get a sense of what's atop their priority list.
ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrant for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Netanyahu
The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said Monday he is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in connection with their actions during the seven-month war.
What do we know so far about the mysterious crash of the helicopter carrying Iran's president?
The apparent crash of a helicopter carrying Iran's president and foreign minister on Sunday sent shock waves around the region.
Stittsville residents seeking answers as bylaw cracks down on street basketball nets
Stittsville residents on Kearnsley Way are seeking answers after an unusual bylaw crackdown on Friday. Every home with a basketball net received a ticket instructing homeowners to remove their nets from the road.
Court eases internet restrictions for Sask. man who matched with a 15-year-old girl on Tinder
A Saskatchewan man who had a sexual encounter with a 15-year-old girl he met on Tinder successfully appealed to shorten release conditions barring him from online dating.
'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Michael Cohen to face more grilling as Trump's hush money trial enters its final stretch
Donald Trump's hush money trial is heading into the final stretch, with prosecutors' last and star witness back on the stand Monday for more grilling before the former president's lawyers get their chance to put on a case.
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.