The Government of Canada has announced an investment of nearly $20 million into a flood-mitigation project along the Thames River in London.

The project consists of the construction and rehabilitation of the Greenway and Adelaide wastewater treatment plants. Work will include a flood barrier and an effluent pumping station to protect these critical infrastructure assets and reduce environmental impacts to the Thames River, Lake Erie and neighbouring communities. The plant upgrades will also help mitigate the impacts of flooding and better protect the residents of London.

The federal government will invest over $19.8 million in these improvements through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, while the City of London is contributing more than $29.7 million.

“This important investment in London’s wastewater treatment plants helps us become more resilient to severe weather and protects our critical infrastructure from flooding along the river,” said London Mayor Ed Holder. “By acting now, we can better ensure the health of the Thames River in the future for London as well as other nearby communities.”

London has been hit hard by severe weather in recent years. In January 2020, record rainfall in the area led to extreme flooding along the Thames River causing a significant strain on the city’s wastewater and stormwater systems.

The federal government is using its $2-billion Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund to help communities build the infrastructure they need to better withstand natural hazards such as floods, wildfires, earthquakes and droughts. To date, the government has announced $1.9 billion through the fund for 68 large-scale infrastructure projects. 

“Record rainfalls and flooding are becoming more frequent in London, as they are in other regions across Canada, as a result of climate change,” said London West MP Kate Young. “The construction of these new flood barriers and effluent pumping stations at our local wastewater treatment plants will better protect our river, downstream First Nation communities, and Lake Erie from the impacts of severe weather events.”   

The London project will help mitigate damage from flooding in the future, and help avoid the potential of untreated or partially treated wastewater entering the river during a flood. It is one of many flood-related projects funded in Southwestern Ontario, including investments to combat flooding in Tecumseh and LaSalle.