Funding woes threaten Ontario’s water infrastructure, say experts at ROMA Conference

The Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference wrapped up on January 21 in Toronto with a panel discussion on water and wastewater infrastructure challenges in Ontario. Moderated by Steve Paikin of TVO, the panel featured Michele Grenier of the Ontario Water Works Association, Patrick McManus of the Ontario Sewer and Watermain Construction Association, and Craig Dyer, former CFO of Waterloo Region.

The conversation highlighted the essential role of safe and reliable water infrastructure in public health, environmental protection, and economic growth. However, panelists expressed concern about funding challenges, particularly for smaller rural municipalities facing aging systems, rising procurement costs, population growth, and historically low water service rates.

The discussion emphasized the need to prioritize water infrastructure in public spending and explored potential solutions, including regionalizing services, implementing cost recovery, and adopting new governance and funding tools such as Municipal Services Corporations.

The full discussion is available on the TVO website.

Article contributed by Terry Rees