Windsor receives funding for flood-protection project
The City of Windsor is pressing ahead with construction of a significant local infrastructure project, thanks in part to new funding from the federal government.
Windsor—Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk announced funding of nearly $33 million from the federal government to support the construction of a new retention treatment basin for the Lou Romano Water Reclamation Plant. That money is in addition to the nearly $56 million committed by the City of Windsor.
“The construction of the retention treatment basin and a new pumping station will enhance the treatment abilities and greatly reduce the impacts of major storm events, including basement flooding, for nearly 62,000 homes, primarily those in South Windsor, Sandwich Towne and West Windsor, which are serviced by the Lou Romano Water Reclamation Plant,” said Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.
The new basin will include a new pumping station and outfall sewer.
Once complete, the basin will act as a buffer during storm surges and provide emergency back-up service in case of catastrophic failure at the reclamation plant.
The project is expected to offer improved protection from flooding to thousands of homes and help the City of Windsor better manage the impacts of severe storms.
Federal funding is being provided through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF).
The DMAF was launched in 2018 as a $2 billion, 10-year program to help communities build the infrastructure they need to better withstand natural hazards such as floods, wildfires, earthquakes and droughts. Budget 2021 topped up the DMAF with an additional $1.375 billion over 12 years.
To date, over $2.1 billion has been announced through the DMAF for 70 infrastructure projects that will help protect communities across the country from the threats of climate change.
“For a community that has suffered two catastrophic floods, protecting our community from the damage of climate change has been my priority, and this federal investment to construct new retention basin capacity in Windsor will protect thousands of homes, businesses, and livelihoods here at home,” said Kusmierczyk.