Minister of Infrastructure, Kinga Surma, toured the Nanticoke Water Treatment plant on Tuesday with local politicians looking at expansion plans for the plant and hearing a pitch for the province to kick in funds.
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Haldimand Mayor Shelley Ann Bentley said the county has to be “persistent” in pushing the issues that matter so the province remembers those needs when it comes to funding.
“I appreciate the time Minister Surma took to visit our community today and look forward to future discussions and announcements that will positively impact the future of this project,” Bentley said in a statement after the meeting.
Along with the mayor, Surma was joined by Norfolk County Mayor Amy Martin, members of council, senior staff members, MP Leslyn Lewis, and MPP Bobbi-Ann Brady for a presentation about the $52-million, multi-year expansion that is projected to help Haldimand meet current and future water needs to 2041.
According to county staff and members of the Ontario Clean Water Agency, the expanded plant will mean:
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- — the ability to provide drinking water to the border of Six Nations
- — a supply of treated water to Norfolk County to address limitations in wells there
- — more treated water available to the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation for additional connections
- — an increased customer base to help with stabilizing water rates
- — economic development and more housing starts in the area.
The expansion plan is in the design and engineering phase but was approved in the 2024 rate-supported operating budget with costs fully recoverable from Norfolk County.
Haldimand CAO Cathy Case said provincial and federal governments are critical to sustain growth in the area and help municipalities deal with rising costs.
“Changing legislation has put municipalities in a challenging position to fund the local infrastructure necessary to accommodate provincial growth objectives,” Case said in a news release.
“Hosting a tour of the county’s critical infrastructure provides a rare opportunity to showcase Haldimand’ extraordinary facility in Nanticoke, demonstrating first hand to (those governments) its capacity to service millions of millions of customers in the surrounding area.”
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