Lakeshore Council reviews $260 million Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Plan
The Lakeshore Council, in a spirit of collaboration, held a productive round of discussions as part of the municipality’s ongoing update to its Water and Wastewater Master Plan. This comprehensive document, a product of our collective efforts, will guide infrastructure investments in water and wastewater systems over the next two decades.
During the meeting, the Council received comprehensive updates from the administration and representatives from Jacobs, the consulting firm responsible for the master plan update. The presentation included a thorough summary of planning activities to date, incorporating valuable feedback from residents and stakeholders, meticulous project prioritization, and a list of well-considered preliminary solutions based on detailed evaluation criteria.
The preliminary list of solutions for water and wastewater projects is estimated to cost over $260 million through 2042, with more than $210 million in potential projects slated for the next six years.
“Tonight, Council discussed the immense pressure that our water and wastewater systems are facing throughout the municipality. It is clear there is a critical need to make significant infrastructure improvements to protect our residents, as well as the environment, which has been identified as a strategic priority for this Council,” said Mayor Tracey Bailey.
“Unfortunately, this Council will bear the weight of the investments that need to be made after decades of doing nothing about it, but we are certainly up to the task.”
Some of the proposed near-term wastewater projects include a treatment facility to replace the Comber and Stoney Point sewage lagoons and investments in wastewater conveyance infrastructure, such as sewer pipes, in Belle River and the west end of Lakeshore. The update identifies the replacement of the Comber Sideroad Watermain for water projects and new water towers in Stoney Point/Point-aux-Roches and Comber.
The final Water and Wastewater Master Plan update will be presented to the Council in August for adoption, including potential funding models.
Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter, Tilbury Times Reporter
