By: Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
Lakeshore Mayor Tracey Bailey emphasized the urgent need for investment in the municipality’s water and wastewater systems, which have faced chronic underfunding over the past two decades.
“Unfortunately, our water and wastewater systems have been chronically underfunded over the past twenty years and we’ve come to a point where it’s not a question of if, but how, we make these investments,” said Mayor Tracey Bailey.
The Mayor said this after the Lakeshore Council approved the 2024 Water and Wastewater Master Plan (WWMP), a comprehensive guide for critical infrastructure investments over the next 20 years. Developed by Jacobs, the plan outlines short- and long-term strategies, programs, and projects required to meet the needs of Lakeshore’s growing communities. A financial analysis estimates the plan’s total cost at $465 million, accounting for inflation and other economic factors.
“All of us around the Council tonight understand that residents will be frustrated at the incredible costs outlined in this plan, but the time for inaction is over,” the Mayor added.
The plan also outlines the ongoing challenges facing Lakeshore’s water and wastewater systems, including ongoing environmental and regulatory concerns in Lakeshore’s eastern communities, higher than expected population growth, and changes to provincial policy related to increased population density.
“It is also important to highlight that more than half of the costs of the projects outlined in the plan are not related to future growth, they are based on current needs.
The Council also directed the administration to undertake a development charge study update and a water wastewater rate study to fund the projects in the Water and Wastewater Master Plan. Grant funding opportunities will also be pursued to reduce the financial burden on taxpayers.
“Support from other levels of government will be essential to the success of this plan, especially given the impact of changing housing targets and need to increase density,” said Mayor Bailey.
“I look forward to meeting with provincial and federal officials to discuss this plan and how it can support the achievement of our shared goals.”
“We will be seeking Council’s support through Budget requests to undertake preliminary works and detailed designs to ensure key projects are shelf-ready. This approach should increase the likelihood of successful grant applications as these opportunities come forward,” said Krystal Kalbol, Corporate Leader of Operations.
The Water and Wastewater Master Plan (WWMP) was approved after extensive outreach to the community and stakeholders. Throughout 2023 and 2024, three public information centres were held to gather feedback from residents, local landowners, and developers. Additionally, two Committee of the Whole meetings with Lakeshore Council helped shape the plan. This input played a key role in guiding the final version of the WWMP.
The following steps include providing the required Water and Wastewater Master Plan Notice of Completion to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks by the Environmental Assessment Act.
Several high-priority projects identified in the WWMP will be added to the 2025 Budget for Council deliberation.
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