York Region earmarks $3B for water, wastewater investments
York Region has announced a capital spend of $3.1 billion over the next 10 years to build out and maintain its water and wastewater infrastructure.
The regional government’s plan include includes $1.7 billion for infrastructure to support growth and $1.4 billion to manage those assets to ensure their reliability.
“Water and wastewater servicing and the ability to access clean safe drinking water is essential for building healthy communities,” said Wayne Emmerson, York Region Chair and CEO. “Implementing and maintaining vital Public Works infrastructure supports an increasing need for system capacity related to planned growth and ensures the existing water and wastewater system is maintained in a state of good repair.”
There are currently 62 construction projects are underway throughout York Region. They include:
- Completing upgrades at the Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant and twinning the primary trunk sewer as part of the York Durham Primary Sewage System
- Providing infrastructure solutions to support growth in the Towns of Aurora, East Gwillimbury and Newmarket
- Progressing designs for Northeast and West Vaughan Servicing Projects to meet advanced construction timelines
- Designing additional water and wastewater servicing projects in the Township of King
- Completing wastewater servicing construction in the Cities of Richmond Hill and Markham in advance of the Yonge North Subway Extension
- Designing the Sutton Water Resource Recovery Facility expansion in the Town of Georgina
“York Region’s investments in the water and wastewater system are strategic, proactive and necessary,” said City of Richmond Hill Mayor, David West, Chair of the Region’s Public Works Environmental Services. “This year we are seeing the greatest number of projects in the Region’s history in the water and wastewater portfolio, speaking volumes to the need for increased capacity and infrastructure maintenance.”
At the end of 2021, the total available capacity for growth in the York Durham Sewage System is 163,046 persons, or about six years.