The Municipality of Kincardine is updating its Water and Wastewater Master Plan after a review was initiated in May 2022.
The review applies to the Kincardine Drinking Water and Wastewater Systems, the Tiverton Drinking Water System, and the Bruce Energy Centre Wastewater System, in addition to their corresponding service areas.
"The purpose of the master plan review is to look at a high level on what the future needs are for water and wastewater services to the community," said Adam Weishar, director of infrastructure and development for the municipality. "What that looks at is not only our existing customers, but also takes into account lands that are zoned or designated for development opportunities. It's also inclusive of developments that may be actively underway at this point too."
In a statement to the media, the Municipality of Kincardine said the update is being completed alongside a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for an expansion to the Kincardine Water Treatment Plant.
"There is an anticipated need based on potential community growth in combination with the potential to add Bruce Power as a water customer," it said.
As far as residents go, there won't be very many impacts.
"It's not going to change what they're paying for water and wastewater rates, it's not going to impact taxes from a direct consideration," said Weishar. "There could be elements that require upgrades to pumping stations or the water systems that would be dealing with aged infrastructure or infrastructure that's undersized."
He added that over the last three years, Kincardine has invested substantially into pumping stations for the sewage network and the force mains that transfer sewage out to lagoons.
There could be some construction in certain neighbourhoods and areas to upgrade infrastructure, but ample notice will be given. Any money needed to pay for these projects will be coming from the water and wastewater reserves or the municipal lifecycle reserve.
"If it is development driven, that would be something we as a municipality would negotiate and work with the developer on so they're contributing their proportionate share based on benefit they would be receiving," said Weishar.
Another reason for this to all be happening now is because the municipality did the last review in 2017, adopted in 2018.
"A rule of best practice in terms of some of these master planning documents is they're typically looked at for review and update on a five year cycle," he said. "We were due for our five year renewal and we've seen substantial development over the last number of years. Quite a bit forthcoming yet, we're entering into agreements with a variety of property owners."
Because of that, Weishar said they urged council to do an update to understand where it's at now compared to five years ago, taking into account all infrastructure upgrades and what could have changed on the landscape of development trends.