Ontario pulls plug on York Region sewage project due to environmental risk to Lake Simcoe

Province opts to send sewage from future Newmarket, Aurora, East Gwillimbury growth to Lake Ontario

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 26, 2022
Lisa Queen

In a major decision a day after the municipal election, the provincial government is killing York Region’s plans for the Upper York Sewage Solution, which would have sent wastewater from Newmarket, Aurora and East Gwillimbury through a state-of-the-art treatment plant into Lake Simcoe.

The region had spent $100 million on the project before the province put the brakes on the initiative last year.

The Chippewas of Georgina Island had argued the project would have had a negative impact on the lake.

A solution to handling the three municipalities’ wastewater is required to handle future growth in those communities.

Instead of the region's proposed project, the province said in a news release on the morning of Oct. 25 that it is looking to pass legislation that would direct the wastewater to Lake Ontario through the Duffin Creek treatment facility that is co-owned and operated by York and Durham regions.

“Expansion of this shared critical wastewater infrastructure for York and Durham regions is needed to support their significant population housing, and economic growth. Our government is proposing a solution that ensures the most robust wastewater treatment as these communities continue to grow,” Environment Minister David Piccini said.

“The Duffin Creek treatment facility is one of the best performing wastewater facilities in the province that ensures the protection, enjoyment and welfare of Lake Ontario, shoreline communities and nearshore areas.”

The province pointed to the recommendations of the York Region Wastewater Advisory Panel it appointed last year when it put the brakes on the UYSS, a move that infuriated York Region politicians.

The panel raised environmental concerns about the impact on Lake Simcoe.

That came on top of years of the matter sitting at Queen’s Park, as the region looked for approval for a solution from the provincial government.

'Is it over? Not at all': Georgina waiting for concrete plans to send wastewater to Lake Ontario

"This has been a long and frustrating process," Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said. "I’m glad that action is finally occurring and the work will soon begin."

Watch YorkRegion.com in the days and weeks to come for much more on this major decision from the province.