Bluewater Poised For Good Growth with $8,347,185 Provincial Grant For Wastewater Expansion

by Bob Montgomery

The Municipality of Bluewater will be moving forward with the expansion of the Bayfield wastewater treatment facility.

MPP Lisa Thompson presented Bluewater Mayor Paul Klopp with a cheque from the province for $8,347,185 for the wastewater treatment facility expansion project which is estimated to cost around $11.4 million. The funding comes through the Housing Enabling Water Systems Fund which was established by the provincial government to assist municipalities in developing, repairing, rehabilitating and expanding drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems in support of housing growth. Construction of this project is expected to begin early next year, with completion scheduled for spring 2027.

The current wastewater treatment facility primarily services the Village of Bayfield. The need to expand the facility has been holding up housing and economic growth in the Bayfield area. The proposed project aligns with the Municipality of Bluewater’s Asset Management Plan and the Bayfield Secondary Plan, both key financial and urban planning documents created to support strategic investment in the Bayfield area and Bluewater as a whole. The Bayfield Secondary Plan sets the stage for well-planned growth with a vision and plan set by the community.

This welcome investment in Bluewater’s rural-urban infrastructure is integral to meeting housing needs in the Municipality of Bluewater. With the treatment facility at capacity, housing growth in the Bayfield area has been slowed for several years. Limited capacity meant no new housing development proposals could be added until more sewage treatment capacity was made available. The expansion of the facility is expected to enable upwards of 500 housing units—both new and additional residential units—in the community, filling a need for homes in the area and helping to meet provincial and federal housing targets.

CAO Laurie Spence Bannerman is encouraging developers to start scheduling pre-consultation meetings with the Bluewater Development Services department in order to have subdivision lots shovel ready as soon as the expanded plant is operational.

Paul Klopp - Bluewater Mayor, Lisa Thompson - MPP, Huron-Bruce