Mayor Brian Ostrander and MPP David Piccini deliver remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony for Brighton's new $52M wastewater treatment plant. /Sarah Hyatt/MBC
Brighton has marked a major milestone with the official groundbreaking on its new $52-million mechanical wastewater treatment plant.
Dignitaries, including Brighton council and staff, Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini, consultants J.L. Richards and Associates Ltd., contractors North American Construction (NAC), and more gathered for the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new plant on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at 100 County Road 64.
“We’re looking at a $52-million build in order to modernize Brighton’s sewage treatment plant,” said Mayor Brian Ostrander, adding this was made “manageable” for the community with a provincial investment of nearly $35-million through Ontario’s Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund.
The investment – and overall project – are historic for the community.
As previously reported, the new plant – which will take about three years to build – will replace the municipality’s aging lagoon-based system and is supposed to help resolve long-standing issues around exceedances under meeting effluent quality standards, particularly around ammonia levels.
However, Ostrander noted this isn’t the only benefit of the new build.
The new facility is being built with “future-proofing” in mind and is supposed to ultimately support growth in Brighton for the next 50 years.
As previously reported, officials have also said the project will help drive economic growth, unlock development and enable about 3,000 new homes in the community.
“I think it shows the … forward-looking vision that Brighton council has had and I’m grateful for this team of councillors who have come together and said we need to make sure that Brighton can grow for 50 years – I think it’s incredible,” Ostrander told MBC.
“I just really want to, again, thank MPP Piccini and Premier (Doug) Ford for their commitment to rural Ontario, in particular for Brighton,” he continued. “We would not be able to do this build without their $35-million grant and I’m truly appreciative (for) it.”
Attendees at the groundbreaking also heard the project will create local jobs and at its peak, about 60 construction workers will be onsite.
Piccini called this a “legacy” investment and noted this is part of a larger $4-billion commitment for critical infrastructure across the province.
From housing and good-paying jobs, to serving as better stewards of the environment for future generations, Friday’s announcement was an exciting one, he continued, noting this is also one of the largest announcements he’s made as MPP.
In terms of how Brighton will cover the remaining project costs, municipal staff reported earlier this year that a combination of grants, development charges, external borrowing and municipal reserves will be used.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
