Town gets over $3.7 million for sanitary sewer project
- Ron Giofu
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
A major sewage trunk line is going to be replaced several months from now, with funding for the project announced late last week.
The Town of Amherstburg received funding under the provincial Health and Safety Water Stream (HSWS) in the amount of $3,741,250. Essex MPP Anthony Leardi made the announcement Friday afternoon at the Columbus Community Hall with Mayor Michael Prue and members of town council on hand to happily accept the funds.
The funds will be used to cover a large chunk of the costs of a new sanitary sewer trunk line on Richmond St. in the town’s downtown core. Engineering work is expected to start this year and shovels are anticipated to go into the ground in 2027.
Leardi said the HSWS helps build municipalities and fund critical infrastructure such as water and wastewater systems and flood protection.
“These investments are about protecting public health and safety,” Leardi told the crowd that gathered at the hall. “We all know that water infrastructure is not something that people see every day. It is absolutely essential. Older pipes, sewer systems and storm water infrastructure can put homes at risk and create health problems.”
The over $3.7 million in grant funding is equivalent to approximately 28 per cent of the town’s annual capital budget.
“This $3.7 million investment will help the Town of Amherstburg strengthen critical water infrastructure, protect homes from floods and ensure residents can continue to rely on safe, reliable water services,” said Leardi.
Prue thanked Leardi as well as the Province of Ontario for the funding, stating it is about protecting the town and planning responsibly for the future.
The current sewer line is roughly 100-years-old and Prue called it a “critical piece” of wastewater infrastructure. He said it stretches along Richmond St. from Dalhousie St. to Seymour St. The current trunk line is at the end of its life and needs to be replaced and the new one will range from 900mm to 750mm in diameter.
“By replacing aging infrastructure in our downtown core, we are reducing the risk of basement flooding, improving reliability for residents and businesses, and ensuring our historic community continues to thrive for generations to come,” said Prue. “We’re grateful for the funding support that helps make this important project possible.”
Total cost of the sewer project is approximately $5.12 million and Prue said the town will have to come up with the remaining $1.4 million. That will be discussed during 2027 budget deliberations. He said it is a vital project for the town and noted the current sewer line is made from brick.
The town needs to upgrade infrastructure, the mayor added, noting the town’s Official Plan that is being updated predicts the population of Amherstburg will increase to 40,000 by 2051.
When funding from upper levels of government is given to Amherstburg, Prue said he will always be eager to receive it.
“When it comes our way, we have to use it,” he said.
CAO Valerie Critchley also noted the funding will support the replacement of 425 metres of century-old sewer line, adding the town is grateful for the more than $3.74 million in funding. She said it “represents a major contribution toward the project and allows the town to address critical capacity issues while significantly reducing the risk of sewer surcharging and basement flooding.”
The HSWS is part of the province’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP). The MHIP is comprised of four funding streams: the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF), the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing (HECS) Stream, the Health and Safety Water Stream (HSWS) and the Agriculture and Irrigation Stream.
The Ontario government announced earlier in the day last Friday it is investing an additional $700 million to help 127 municipalities and First Nations communities upgrade and expand aging water infrastructure across the province. The province stated in a news release the funding comes from MHIP, which was increased to a total of $4 billion last year to support the province’s goal of getting more shovels in the ground and homes built across Ontario. The province states this funding will flow to recipients through MHIP’s Health and Safety Water Stream (HSWS), which now totals $875 million of the total $4 billion MHIP. Funding will support access to safe drinking water, housing, job creation and protection for communities in the event of extreme weather events, the provincial government added.
Town gets over $3.7 million for sanitary sewer project
By Ron Giofu
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