York Region Sewage Works Project Report satisfies Ministry requirements

Newmarket – York Regional Council received an update on the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks’ satisfaction with the York Region Sewage Works Project and consultation reports.

“The York Region Sewage Works Project is absolutely critical to ensure water and wastewater services are available to meet anticipated future population growth in York Region and Durham Region, which will double by 2051,” said Wayne Emmerson, York Region Chairman and CEO. “We look forward to continuing to work with senior levels of government to secure investments, expedite approvals and ensure infrastructure is in place to build housing needed in our communities.”

As required by the Ontario government’s Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022 and the associated Supporting Growth and Housing in York and Durham Regions Act, 2022, York Region and Durham Region will work together to develop, construct and operate the York Region Sewage Works Project, a long-term wastewater infrastructure project across the Towns of East Gwillimbury, Newmarket and Aurora and the Cities of Richmond Hill, Markham and Pickering.

To support accelerated growth and housing in the Regions, the York Region Sewage Works Project will expand and improve the existing York Durham Sewage System (YDSS), including new or expanded wastewater sewers, pumping stations and enhancements to the Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant on the shore of Lake Ontario in the City of Pickering.

“Residents and businesses rely on the Regions and their local cities and towns to provide critical services like wastewater collection and treatment,” said City of Richmond Hill Mayor, David West, Chair of Public Works - Environmental Services. “I am pleased to see the robust project report captured interested persons, Indigenous communities and the public’s valuable feedback, and is committed to continuing to engage the community every step of the way.”

In October 2023, York Region and Durham Region submitted the draft York Region Sewage Works Project Report to the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks outlining infrastructure components and costs, impacts to the environment and how those impacts will be mitigated. Staff consulted with the public, interested persons and Indigenous communities throughout the Project Report’s development.

In March 2024, York Region and Durham Region completed and submitted to the Minister the final Project Report, Indigenous Communities Consultation Report and Interested Persons Consultation Report. The final reports considered and responded to comments received during the consultation period.

In April 2024, in a letter from the Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, it stipulated annual progress reporting, interim reports on changes and twice-annual Indigenous Community Engagement Progress Reports.

The York Region Sewage Works Project consists of three project areas: North YDSS Expansion, South YDSS Expansion and YDSS Primary System Expansion. York Region plans to initiate detailed design of the first phase of the North YDSS Expansion following this announcement as this project is included in York Region’s 2024 10-Year Capital Plan, with a preliminary cost estimate of $515 million and planned completion in 2028.

The majority of the wastewater in York Region and Durham Region is collected in the York Durham Sewage System and moved to the Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant for treatment. Expanding the existing York Durham Sewage System through the York Region Sewage Works Project will mean both regions can service future population growth efficiently, making the best use of the existing wastewater infrastructure.

Learn more about the York Region Sewage Works Project at york.ca/SewageProject

The Regional Municipality of York consists of nine local cities and towns and provides a variety of programs and services to more than 1.2 million residents and 55,600 businesses with more than 615,000 employees. More information about the Region’s key service areas is available at york.ca/RegionalServices

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Media Contact

Tamara Ostrowski, Corporate Communications, The Regional Municipality of York
Phone: 905-251-6412
@email