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Feds invest in Wellington sewage treatment plant expansion

The federal government is investing $20.6 million to expand the Wellington wastewater treatment plant. The money is earmarked and dedicated to expanding the village’s wastewater treatment capacity.

The money is from the Build Communities Strong Fund distributed by the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada ministry. Bay of Quinte Member of Parliament Chris Malette was on hand last week to present the cheque to Mayor Steve Ferguson and several council members in Wellington.

“The Build Communities Strong Fund is building the infrastructure that Canadians rely on every day,” said MP Malette in a statement. “Today’s investment in wastewater treatment infrastructure will help ensure Prince Edward County meets the community’s future needs as it develops and grows.”

Mayor Ferguson accepted the money, saying that, “This investment ensures that as Wellington grows, we are not compromising the very structural assets that make people want to live, work and visit here. This project is also part of a broader coordinated approach to sustainable growth.”

Wellington council member Corey Engelsdorfer applauded the federal announcement.

“The biggest barrier to new homes in Wellington is the constraint on our wastewater plant,” said Engelsdorfer. “Investing in expanding this plant should enable the village to grow again.”

WHAT IT MEANS
The Wellington sewage plant operates at about 68 per cent of rated capacity (averaged over 5 years)—meaning there is about a 20 per cent buffer to account for rainy days.

The remaining plant capacity, however, is committed to a developer and the County Affordable Housing Corporation. As such, no new homes have been approved, nor will any be permitted until the wastewater treatment plant is expanded or replaced.

Shire Hall officials have said any decision on replacement or expansion will be part of a broad review of waterworks infrastructure plans in light of dramatically lower population growth expectations.

According to an RV Anderson plan prepared in 2020, the estimated cost of expanding the existing plant was $26.1 million. The consulting engineer estimated the cost of a new plant at $27.7 million.