Prince Edward County has applied for $18.3 million in provincial funding to support the construction of a regional water plant and a new raw water intake in Wellington.
A new regional water plant has been identified as the preliminary preferred alternative for servicing both Picton and Wellington and would replace the two existing smaller water plants.
It would also provide the necessary capacity for new development and address water quality and supply concerns that currently exist with the Picton drinking water system.
Officials say a regional plant located in Wellington offers a significantly better raw water source with fewer threats.
“We have submitted a strong application supported by our Regional Water Supply Master Plan and the last several years of implementing the work of the Wellington Master Plan,” says Marcia Wallace, Chief Administrative Officer for the County of Prince Edward. “The projects we have put forward align with the Government of Ontario’s commitment to enabling new housing creation with timely infrastructure. We are hopeful our application will be successful.”
The County is applying for provincial funding through the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF).
The preliminary cost estimate for the regional plant is $40 million and the new intake is $15 million with the majority of the costs to be covered by development charges or connection charges.
The portion of these projects that benefits existing users would be paid for through water rates.
