Ontario moves to modernize aging water systems in many communities

Ontario is pressing ahead on multiple fronts to modernize aging water and wastewater systems, rolling out a series of infrastructure investments aimed at protecting public health, unlocking housing and strengthening communities as population growth and climate pressures intensify. As part of that broader push, the province has recently approved funding for major municipal water projects in eight communities across northern, central and southwestern Ontario, signalling what officials describe as an accelerated, province-wide effort to keep critical infrastructure on pace with demand.

The new projects, funded primarily by the Health and Safety Water Stream of the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, form part of a $4-billion investment through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, included in Ontario’s $220-billion capital plan to build and modernize transit, highways, hospitals, schools and water systems.

West Nipissing: New Water Source for Verner

In northern Ontario, the Municipality of West Nipissing will receive up to $18.2 million to expand water infrastructure and secure an alternative drinking water source for residents of Verner. The project includes construction of a new water main from Cache Bay to Verner and conversion of the community’s existing treatment plant into a pumping station.

Preliminary designs estimate the project cost at roughly $24 million, with provincial funding covering about three-quarters of eligible expenses. Construction is planned to begin in 2027 and be completed by March 2029.

Mayor Kathleen Thorne Rochon said the scale of provincial support made the long-needed project possible, noting that Verner’s existing treatment facility is expected to reach the end of its service life by 2035.

Timmins: New Elevated Water Tower

The City of Timmins is receiving up to $23.6 million for construction of the new Tisdale Water Tower, a 58-metre structure designed to significantly increase water storage capacity and improve pressure across the system. The tower will hold 10 million litres of water, replacing an aging in-ground reservoir.

The project, valued at more than $26 million, is being phased in over three years, with the balance funded through the city’s water and wastewater budget.

North Bay Wastewater 

Wastewater Upgrades in Kenora and Emo

Ontario is investing more than $5.1 million for the rehabilitation of the Kenora Wastewater Treatment Plant and $162,881 for the rehabilitation of the Vermilion Bay Water Treatment Plant. The WWTP serves approximately 5,200 households, including Wauzhushk Onigum First Nation. This funding will replace critical plant equipment and control systems to ensure that treatment requirements protect the health and safety of the environment, are energy-efficient, and maintain services to all households. Additionally, in the Municipality of Machin, the Vermilion Bay Water Treatment Plant will receive the replacement of two distribution pumps, repairs to fire pumps, structural improvements to flooring, pH meters and additional upgrades to critical infrastructure.

Moving south to the U.S. border, Ontario is investing more than $1.4 million in wastewater upgrades for the Township of Emo. The funding will help to construct a new sanitary holding tank with duplex pump systems, provide upgrades to electrical, mechanical and SCADA systems, and modernize controls and electrical systems. This will improve the monitoring and resiliency for weather-related impacts and system demands.

Simcoe North: Five Projects

In Simcoe North, the province is investing up to $78.4 million across five municipalities to build, expand and rehabilitate water and wastewater infrastructure:

• Township of Tay – Victoria Harbour Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion Phase II ($29.5 million)
• City of Orillia – Fittons Road West Sewage Pumping Station upgrades ($3.27 million)
• Town of Penetanguishene – Robert Street West Well Treatment Facility ($11.5 million)
• Township of Tiny – Lafontaine (Georgian Sands) watermain replacement ($4.17 million)
• Township of Ramara – Ramara water and wastewater upgrades ($30 million)

Local leaders said the funding will help lift development constraints, improve drinking water security and protect environmentally sensitive areas such as Lake Simcoe.

Elgin County: Five Municipalities

Southwestern Ontario is also seeing significant investment, with just over $61 million committed to water and wastewater projects across five Elgin County municipalities:

• Town of Aylmer – Sanitary lagoon treatment upgrades ($7.2 million)
• Municipality of Central Elgin – Flood mitigation in Port Stanley ($9.3 million)
• Municipality of Dutton-Dunwich – Wastewater treatment plant and pump station upgrades ($4.7 million)
• Township of Malahide – Rehabilitation of the Port Burwell secondary main ($15.3 million)
• Township of Southwold – Wastewater treatment plant expansion ($24.7 million)

Municipal officials emphasized that the upgrades will reduce service disruptions, protect waterways and ensure infrastructure can support future housing and job growth.

Quinte West: Booster Station and Elevated Storage

In Eastern Ontario, Quinte West will receive $16.5 million for replacement of the Trenton Zone 1 Mount Pelion Booster Station and construction of a new elevated storage tank. The project is expected to improve pressure, increase storage capacity and strengthen long-term system reliability for roughly 14,000 homes.

New Tecumseth: Alliston Wastewater Rehabilitation

The Town of New Tecumseth has secured up to $12.5 million to rehabilitate clarifiers at the Alliston Wastewater Treatment Plant. The work will address aging infrastructure, improve treatment effectiveness and maintain compliance with environmental standards while supporting future growth.