Municipality of Brighton Facebook photo/Justin Soule Photography
Brighton is set to officially break ground on its new $50-million-plus mechanical wastewater treatment plant today (Friday, Nov. 7.)
Officials will be gathering for an official groundbreaking ceremony for the new plant Friday at 10 a.m. at 100 County Rd. 64.
Earlier this year, council approved a $50-million-plus contract for new treatment plant, which is supposed to put an end to long-standing issues with the municipality’s aging lagoon-based treatment system and exceedances under meeting effluent quality standards, particularly around ammonia levels.
As previously reported, a nearly $35-million provincial boost is helping to advance the project, with monies coming through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund. The historic funding announcement was made earlier this year.
“This means we can actually move forward with a much-needed water treatment facility project in our community,” Mayor Brian Ostrander told MBC after the news of the provincial injection, which he said made the project “manageable” for Brighton’s 12,000-person population (and only half rely on these services in the urban area.)
Officials also said the provincial investment will help unlock development and with construction of up to 3,000 new homes amid a growing population – and that the project will contribute to the overall health of the environment and enhance urban residents’ quality of life.
The remainder of the project is supposed to be funded through a combination of grants, development charges, external borrowing and municipal reserves, staff reported earlier this year.
The new plant is supposed to take about three years to complete – but once finished, it should carry Brighton about 50 years into the future, said Ostrander.
Prior to this year’s funding announcement, leaders like Ostrander had been calling on upper-level governments for help with the massive undertaking amid unrelenting rising prices and ongoing compliance issues spanning decades.
This specific provincial injection that was first announced earlier this year was part of a broader $325-million investment in water infrastructure projects to help build 107,000 new homes across Ontario. Brighton was one of 23 infrastructure projects successful in that round of funding.
Provincial figures through the initial first few HEWSF intakes tallied more than $1.3 billion overall, Ontario reported earlier this year.
Up-to-date figures and more details are anticipated at the groundbreaking.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
