Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Russell Township, ON and The Nation Municipality members are collaborating to push for a new regional wastewater treatment plant to service both communities.
Members of both groups attended the recent 2026 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference where they met with provincial minister of rural affairs Lisa M. Thompson, parliamentary assistant to the provincial minister of infrastructure Amarjot Sandhu and provincial minister of the environment, conservation and parks Todd McCarthy to present the proposed project and discuss next steps, a Russell Township release said.
“Russell Township is growing, and our residents expect us to plan and manage that growth responsibly. This is a regional infrastructure challenge that requires a regional solution. By working collaboratively with The Nation, we are demonstrating leadership and accountability through a fiscally responsible approach that protects quality of life and ensures essential infrastructure is delivered in a thoughtful, sustainable way for our communities,” Russell Township mayor Mike Tarnowski said.
“By choosing to work together rather than in silos, we are creating opportunities to reduce costs, share resources, and explore innovative solutions. This collaborative approach reflects a modern way for rural municipalities to work, one that maximizes public investment and positions our communities for sustainable growth,” The Nation Municipality Francis Brière added.
Over the next 20 years the populations in Russell Township and The Nation Municipality are projected to increase by approximately 50 per cent, the release said, and existing wastewater lagoon systems in Embrun and Limoges are expected to reach capacity by 2032, “creating a significant risk of service limitations if action is not taken.”
