The federal government and the City of Sarnia has announced a combined investment of $29.5 million to rebuild the city’s wastewater collection system.

The City of Sarnia is launching its Cromwell Area Sewer Separation and Flood Mitigation project to address the increased risk of basement flooding and sewer overflows due to more frequent and intense storms.

This upgrade will replace the combined sewers with separate storm and sanitary sewers, enhance the wastewater collection system, replace the water main, and fully repave sidewalks and roads. This will reduce economic losses and protect the community from future flooding disruptions.

“Support like this for combined sewer separation will go a long way toward building a more resilient wastewater system that mitigates the negative impacts of extreme weather events such as basement flooding,” said Sarnia’s Engineering and Operations General Manager, David Jackson. “Projects like these are a key piece of our Climate Action Plan and work to mitigate flooding in our community, while at the same time expand sanitary sewer capacity for new development.”

The federal government is investing $11,990,000 in the project through its Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, while the City of Sarnia is contributing $17,985,000.

Since 2018, the federal government has committed over $3.8 billion to the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.

To date, over $2.35 billion has been announced for more than 80 infrastructure projects that help communities better prepare for, and withstand, the potential impacts of natural disasters.

The funding supports projects that include new construction of public infrastructure or the modification or reinforcement of existing public infrastructure that help communities withstand natural disasters and climate-related risks.

Eligible recipients include municipalities, local governments, provinces and territories, public sector bodies, Indigenous organizations, not-for-profit, and for-profit organizations in partnership with other eligible applicants outside the private sector. Projects must have a minimum of $1 million in total eligible costs to be considered eligible.