Agenda Item No.: D.2.b.
Illegal Dumping (J. Melnychuk)
Recommendation:
That the May 3, 2004, Asset Management
and Public Works Department report
2004PWW056 be received for information.
Report Summary
This is an information report regarding City
Departments’ efforts to address the issue of
illegal dumping.
Report
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Previous Council/Committee Action
At the March 2, 2004, Transportation and
Public Works Committee meeting,
Councillor J. Melnychuk made the following
inquiry:
“I would like Administration to provide
a report on illegal dumping.
1. Have we reviewed the impact of the
City dump-site fee(s) in relation to
illegal dumping that occurs within
the city boundaries?
2. What steps do the department(s) –
Planning and Development
Department (Bylaw)/Transportation
and Streets Department/Asset
Management and Public Works
Department – presently take when a
complaint about illegally dumped
materials comes to their attention?
Do we have any procedures for
certain areas that experience
excessive illegal dumping?
3. Is there any information on what
parts of the city experiences illegal
dumping and to what degree? (For
example, is there more illegal
dumping on the north or northeast
sections of the city compared to
other quadrants?)
4. Provide any other information that is
relevant.”
Routing:
Delegation:
Written By:
May 3, 2004
File: 2004PWW056

Four City Departments, Asset
Management and Public Works,
Community Services, Planning and
Development, and Transportation and
Streets, work together to address
incidents of illegal dumping.
The location of the illegally dumped
items determines which Department
responds to the complaint.
 Community Services Department
(Parkland Services) responds if the
dumped items are on parkland or on
school property.
 Transportation and Streets
Department (Transit) responds if the
items are located in transit zones.
 Transportation and Streets
Department (Streets Engineering)
responds if illegally dumped items
are blocking a road or alleyway or
are on road rights-of-way.
 Asset Management and Public
Works Department (Waste
Management) responds if material is
spilled at residential set-out
locations. The branch also directs
Hot Line complaint calls concerning
illegal dumping to appropriate
Departments.
Detailed responses to the questions are
included in Attachment 1.
Attachment
1. Responses to Questions
Others Approving this Report
 D. Kloster, General Manager,
Community Services Department
 L. Benowski, General Manager,
Planning and Development Department
 R. Millican, General Manager,
Transportation and Streets Department
Transportation and Public Works Committee
W. D. Burn
R. G. Neehall
Asset Management and Public Works Department
(Page 1 of 1
D
2
b
Attachment 1
Responses to Questions
1. Have we reviewed the impact of the City dump-site fee(s) in relation to illegal dumping
that occurs within the city boundaries?
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Prior to 2003, landfill rates for three waste classes were varied. Residential customers
paid $25/tonne, commercial paid $40/tonne and inert customers, delivering mostly
construction material, paid $35/tonne.
In 2003, the landfill tipping fee for residential and construction waste was increased to
$40 per tonne.
The majority of homeowners’ landfill loads are less than one tonne and minimum load
fee of $12 applies. This represents a $2 increase from $10 minimum fee charged prior to
2003.
Administration has not noticed an increase in incidents of illegal dumping due to the
2003 landfill fee increases.
2. What steps do the department(s) – Planning and Development Department
(Bylaw)/Transportation and Streets Department/Asset Management and Public Works
Department – presently take when a complaint about illegally dumped materials comes
to their attention? Do we have any procedures for certain areas that experience
excessive illegal dumping?
COMMUINITY SERVICES
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Park Rangers investigate initial complaints of dumping in the River Valley from citizens,
staff or volunteers.
Upon investigation, if Rangers are able to identify the responsible person(s), they will
attempt to get the responsible person(s) to clean up the illegally dumped material.
Provisions in the Parks Bylaw 2202 allow Park Rangers/Police/Bylaw Officers to fine
person(s) for illegal dumping on parkland. The fine is $250.
If Rangers are unable to determine details regarding the dumping, Parks Operations’ staff
are called in to clean up the dumped material.
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

The Traffic Bylaw 5590, Public Places Bylaw 7608 and Solid Waste Bylaw 6903 all have
enforcement sections related to littering. The Complaints and Investigations Section of
the Planning and Development Department handle the majority of litter complaints
requiring enforcement action. Given the nature of person(s) or motorists littering on a
highway, bylaw enforcement relies heavily on citizens witnessing the occurrence and
registering details with Bylaw or the Police. Complaints are investigated and if sufficient
evidence is obtained fines are levied.
2004PWW056 - Attachment 1 - Page 1 of 4
Attachment 1
Responses to Questions
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The disposition of littering or dumping complaints differs from those offences where
responsibility lies with the property owner to maintain their property in a particular way.
It is the individual’s actions, which constitute the basic elements of the offence and
require proof. It is this evidentiary burden connecting the individual to the dumping or
littering that is often problematic. In most cases, materials are dumped surreptitiously.
In some cases witnesses are able to provide information regarding individuals or vehicles
associated with dumping. Where this information is substantial, reliable, and assures a
finding of culpability, enforcement actions can be pursued to the point of issuing a ticket.
On those occasions where there is a continued pattern of dumping on private property,
property or business owners have been known to hire security companies to monitor the
area and forward information to the Complaints and Investigation section for
enforcement action. The ultimate responsibility of the property owner to ensure their
property is not considered a nuisance is the motivation for this type of action. In some
cases the chosen solution is fencing the property.
The problem caused by litter blowing from loads hauled to landfill, especially in spring,
has resulted in an initiative where areas around landfills will be targeted. Following an
information campaign in the vicinity of the landfill, uniformed bylaw enforcement
officers will ticket drivers of vehicles littering the roads due to unsecured loads being
brought to the dump sites.
TRANSPORTATION AND STREETS
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Currently, a roadway maintenance representative investigates any complaint/inquiry of
illegal dumping or litter accumulation. Initially a determination is done to confirm whose
property the debris/litter resides on. If the problem resides on the road right-of-way or
other property maintained by the Transportation and Street’s department, the material is
removed by Transportation and Street’s staff. Incidents found to be on private property
are referred to Bylaw Enforcement for investigation.
Specific locations that are historical trouble spots for illegal dumping exist in various
areas throughout the city. These locations are regularly monitored by Roadway
Maintenance staff and cleared of debris and waste in a timely manner so as not to
encourage further dumping.
ASSET MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS
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The Waste Management Branch does not have an enforcement role but receives and
directs complaint calls to the appropriate departments as determined by the location of
the offending item.
Where the complaint is a re-occurring event at an apartment or condominium, Municipal
Waste Inspectors will discuss with the on-site property manager options to address the
problem.
2004PWW056 - Attachment 1 - Page 2 of 4
Attachment 1
Responses to Questions
3. Is there any information on what parts of the city experiences illegal dumping and to
what degree? (For example, is there more illegal dumping on the north or northeast
sections of the city compared to other quadrants?)
COMMUNITY SERVICES
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Some of the locations for illegal dumping on parkland are:
- Mill Creek- 94 Avenue - 96 Street - tires, sod (no dumping signage put up)
- Hermitage Park- deer carcass, fridge (gates will be moved and signage put up)
- Smith Crossing- 23 Avenue west of 119 Street - various furniture (no dumping
signage put up)
- Fulton Ravine - 101 Avenue 64 Street- yearly clean up of couches, chairs etc. (no
dumping signage put up)
- Minchau Ravine - flyers of all sorts (flyer company called)
- West Kinsmen - dumping of sod, pruning (bollard installed)
Frequent dumping of various home furnishings, tires etc. in department garbage bins in
parks.
Illegal dumping is experienced in all sectors of the River Valley Park System; no real
favourite spots.
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
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Historically, City owned parcels of land that are prone to the accumulation of debris are
signed “No Dumping” with a fine amount displayed. Periodic inspections are conducted
to ensure there is no build up of garbage or litter.
While there is no compilation of data focusing on illegal dumping in general, nor to
specific areas, a survey of the area enforcement officers suggests that illegal dumping
takes place throughout the city to the same degree. The number of complaints of illegal
dumping is relatively small in comparison to complaints regarding nuisance conditions or
offences regarding improper storage of solid waste. These are resolved by contacting the
property owner. Littering enforcement associated with messy garbage stands and
commercial waste containers are conducted on a more proactive basis. Each spring
bylaw enforcement staff concentrate on alley and lane-way garbage storage to prevent
loose litter from blowing onto city streets.
TRANSPORTATION AND STREETS
Historical locations of illegal dumping are:
L/E 119 Street, South of Kingsway Avenue
49 Street, North of 124 Avenue
199 Street, South of Quadrant Avenue
2004PWW056 - Attachment 1 - Page 3 of 4
Attachment 1
Responses to Questions
142 Street from Anthony Henday Drive to 15 Avenue
Winterburn Road (215 Street) from 35 to 45 Avenues
137 Avenue and 199 Street
129 Avenue and 55 Street (back lane)
Sherin Road (130 Avenue and 58 Street)
43 Street, South of Eleniak Road
Approximately 63 Street, North of 56 Avenue
92 Street, North of 28 Avenue
17 Street from Whitemud Drive to 41 Avenue S/W
34 Street from Whitemud Drive to 41 Avenue S/W.
4. Provide any other information that is relevant.
TRANSPORTATION AND STREETS
The Transportation and Streets Department is responsible for keeping the road rights-of-way
clear of litter and debris. As part of its commitment to help educate and encourage
participation, the Department is also an active partner in “Pitch in Canada”. This campaign
helps to increase public awareness of the importance of an environmentally friendly lifestyle.
Transportation and Streets is also involved in the annual “River Valley Cleanup” with other
Departments.
2004PWW056 - Attachment 1 - Page 4 of 4