Water capacity upgrade projects pushed back

Luke Edwards

Grant Haven Media

While slower growth could mean Norfolk fails to hit its long-term targets, it has allowed Norfolk County to delay planned water and wastewater expansion projects.

Darnell Lamber, director of engineering and asset management, presented a water and wastewater service monitoring report to councillors at the March 24 meeting. He called the update a mix of good and bad.

“It is fair to say that our growth projections are more aggressive than are actually being realized,” he said.

Lambert outlined several revisions to the expansion plans based on new growth projections. Improvements in Simcoe have been pushed back from 2035 to the early 2040s. 

Increased water supply for Port Dover isn’t expected to be needed until after 2051 instead of the previous date of 2041. A Phase 2 wastewater expansion project is also moved back from 2033 to the 2040s.

Expected expansion needs for Waterford, Delhi and Courtland have also been pushed back.

“Overall the county’s water and wastewater facilities are able to meet the near-term demands of forecasted growth,” he said.

Lambert said it’s a balancing act between ensuring capacity’s available when needed but not spending money before it’s needed.

“Done properly our plant expansion will be timely, avoiding moratoriums or the need for emergency expansions and deliver optimal performance that is not overbuilt,” he said.

The slower than expected growth has given staff the opportunity not just to push back planned projects, but also focus on repair and rehabilitation of the existing system. Staff’s inflow and infiltration work has also helped increase capacity in the system.

However, he cautioned that things can change.

“Five years from now we could be in a different picture, the economy could turn very positive,” he said, adding the County needs to be nimble.

Staff are also working with consultants to look at alternatives for the inter-urban water supply project. The major upgrade requires significant funding commitments from other levels of government, which has yet to materialize. Council previously approved having staff look at other options. An update is expected to come back to council in the coming months.