The Government of Ontario has granted the County of Prince Edward $18.3 million through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF) to support a regional water plant and a new raw water intake in Wellington.
“People want to live in Prince Edward County, but so many cannot find the housing that meets their needs. We are desperate for a more diverse mix of housing in our community, and we will only get that if the municipality can expand its drinking water service to support development,” Mayor Steve Fergusons says. “We have a strong financial plan in place to do just that, with a focus on ensuring growth pays for growth. We are pleased the Government of Ontario understands our vision and is willing to invest in Prince Edward County.”
A new regional water plant has been identified as the preferred alternative for servicing Picton, Bloomfield, and Wellington. The new plant will provide the necessary capacity to unlock nearly 4,200 housing units of all different types, including rentals, seniors communities, and long-term care spaces, over the next seven years, with another 4,500 housing units between 2033 and 2043. Click here to view a detailed breakdown of planned development in Prince Edward County.
“We’re working with our municipal partners here in Prince Edward County and across Ontario to get more homes built faster,” said Premier Doug Ford. “With billions of dollars in investments in housing-enabling infrastructure, our government is helping get more shovels in the ground to keep the dream of homeownership alive and help families find a home that meets their needs and their budgets.”
A regional plant located in Wellington will also eliminate the water quality and supply concerns that currently exist with the Picton drinking water system, which draws source water from Picton Bay. Wellington has no source drinking water threats.
The new plant and intake are part of the overall regional plan for reliably delivering safe and clean water to residents in Picton, Bloomfield, and Wellington. The municipality has developed the following financial plan where growth pays for most of the costs and provincial funding virtually eliminates the impact to future water rates:
- $150.5 million from regional Development Charges
- $18.3 million from HEWSF
- $16 million that was incorporated into the 2021 rate study, meaning that amount will not impact future water rates
- $7.3 million, which will be incorporated into the 2027-2031 water rates and spread out over the 6,500 current water connections and the 4,000 potential new connections
Click here to view a breakdown
The municipality is planning and investing in its water systems to help ensure well-managed growth protects the rural character of our region, while providing a mix of housing and economic opportunities in existing villages and centres. Learn more about this work on the County website.