ERIN – The province is set to spend $325 million on water and wastewater infrastructure projects and according to a Jan. 27 media release, the town of Erin will be receiving $29.4 million of that spending.
The funding aims to help build up to 107,000 new homes across the province, stated the press release from the province.
The $325 million is being delivered through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF), which helps municipalities build, repair, rehabilitate and expand critical drinking water, wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
Town’s focus
“There’s a bit of relief for sure,” Erin Mayor Michael Dehn told the Advertiser.
“We didn’t know how we were going to be able to hook up the existing residents if we didn’t get this funding.”
He explained the funds will primarily be used to connect older subdivisions, commercial sections of downtown and industrial areas to Erin’s wastewater treatment plant.
The treatment plant is scheduled to be completed in the spring of 2026.
The total project cost is $200 million and was funded entirely by the development community.
“Right now we have funding for all the new development, the developers are paying for that,” said Dehn.
“But it kind of puts two classes of citizens in the same town; some people have access to it (the treatment plant), some won’t.”
He noted the funding may give the town a “fast track” for getting downtown Erin businesses hooked up to the system.
According to Dehn, the town applied for funding a “couple times” and was unsuccessful.
Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott gathered town and provincial government staff in a meeting to discuss the “deficiencies” in the submission.
“We needed to make sure the [boxes were] all checked, and it was a real effort by the town staff,” added Dehn.
Residents can look forward to a “more reliable” water supply and “enhanced wastewater management” as these projects roll out, stated a town press release on Jan. 28.
The funds will transform properties currently dependent on septic and holding tanks, particularly in commercial, residential and industrial areas, leading to “improved quality of life for residents,” the release stated.
“This investment is a game-changer for our community,” said Dehn.
Connection bylaw
In a November meeting, council discussed a sewer connection bylaw and applying for provincial funding to subsidize costs for residents.
Staff was told to map the area feasible for connection, gather information on the condition of septic tanks and explore the feasibility of an optional hook-up.
The funding should give residents and businesses the opportunity to connect, but a policy for connection has yet to be confirmed by council, explained Dehn.
Dehn said he is not sure if people would be made to connect, if they will be given the choice of opting in, or if it will depend on septic systems failing in a subdivision.
HEWSF
Twenty-three water infrastructure projects will receive provincial funding across Ontario, with the high-ticket municipalities being:
- Township of Clearview, $35 million;
- Brighton, $34.9 million;
- City of Barrie, $34.9 million;
- Township of Springwater, $34.9 million; and
- Town of Erin, $29.4 million.
The first application intake closed in April 2024, during which the government spent $970 million in 54 water infrastructure projects across 60 municipalities.
Due to high demand for funding a second application launched, which closed in the beginning of November, for the additional $325 million.
Projects are evaluated based on a criteria which focusses on technical merit, project readiness, financial capacity and critical public health and safety impact.
For more information about the HEWSF visit news.ontario.ca.