New garbage trucks on the way amid ‘leakage’ on Ottawa streets

A fleet of newer waste collection vehicles will be introduced across the City this month, in efforts to address leakage on streets during garbage collection.

Following concern from residents throughout the summer, Miller Waste Systems — the City’s residential waste collection contractor —will be adding 30 newer vehicles across Ottawa this month, said Wilson Lo, Councillor for Barrhaven East.

“It came to my attention through at a least a few resident emails last summer,” said Lo, adding “On really hot and humid days, it (leakage) was literally creating a foul smell on the streets.”

The contractor has acquired newer vehicles at their own expense, while retiring some of their oldest vehicles in poor condition.

Some waste collection vehicles that are still serviceable will receive maintenance without compromising the level of service, explained Councillor Lo.

Additionally, the waste services company has hired an in-house welder to speed up repairs and other maintenance, wrote the councillor in a newsletter.

Immediate response to address the leakage issue

In response to leakage issues last summer, four newer vehicles were added to the fleet. This is in addition to 30 newer white waste collection vehicles that will be added throughout September.

According to Councillor Lo, the life span of waste collection vehicles is tied to the length of the contract.

“Garbage trucks have to navigate on very bumpy surfaces and so vehicles do become fatigued, even within the expected life span,” he said.

While the City’s current contract with Miller Waste Systems came into effect in 2012, it was set to end in 2022 — but was extended by three years.

If a contract is extended, this should be taken into account and the City should provision for added maintenance, explained the councillor.

“I’m not entirely sure what led to the extension, but I’m sure that the delay in the Solid Waste Master Plan because of COVID has something to do with it,” said Councillor Lo in an interview with CityNews.

Why is garbage leaking on Ottawa streets?

As a result of this extension, the current fleet of vehicles — in service for 12 years — should have retired three years ago, he noted.

“The vehicles themselves are driveable and safe, but the more operational parts are fatigued,” said Councillor Lo.

While Miller Waste Systems assured the previous Council there would be no issues with this fleet, the contract was extended with no requirements for additional maintenance, he added.

“I have asked staff to include those considerations if they decide to extend any future waste collection contracts,” noted Councillor Lo.

While Ottawa’s current waste collection contract ends in June 2025, Miller Waste Systems is expected to provide brand new waste collection vehicles when their new contract begins in July 2025.