Napanee breaks ground on $48.8M wastewater plant upgrade

Construction is underway on a major upgrade to the Napanee Water Pollution Control Plant, a project expected to support thousands of new homes and improve wastewater service for the eastern Ontario community.

Town officials held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday to mark the start of the $48.8-million project, which is being funded through contributions from both the provincial and federal governments.

The Ontario government is providing $34.8 million under its Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund, while the federal government is contributing $14 million through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.

The expanded facility will enable the development of up to 4,000 new homes in Greater Napanee while enhancing reliability for existing users and protecting the environment, officials said.

Chris Malette, Member of Parliament for Bay of Quinte, said the investment is “a powerful example of how federal infrastructure funding can directly support our communities.”

Ontario Infrastructure Minister Kinga Surma said the project is part of the province’s nearly $4-billion investment in housing and community-enabling infrastructure. Ric Bresee, MPP for Hastings-Lennox and Addington, and Greater Napanee Mayor terry Richardson also welcomed the funding, saying the upgrade will help the town manage growth and attract new industry.

The new facility will be built beside the existing Water Street West plant, incorporating current digesters so that part of the older system remains in use. The upgraded plant is expected to be operational by 2028.