Newmarket updating plan for water, wastewater infrastructure

Town invites public input into plan that will account for growth through 2051

Yorkregion.com
Jan. 16, 2023
Joseph Quigley

Newmarket residents and businesses can provide input to the town's plan for its water and wastewater infrastructure needed to service future developments.

The town is updating its existing plan to ensure its sewers, water mains and pumping stations can meet current and future demands. The plan will analyze existing water and wastewater services, accounting for growth scenarios to 2051.

“The Town of Newmarket is a growing community and we want to make sure our water and wastewater infrastructure will be able to service the needs of our residents and businesses,” Mayor John Taylor said in a news release.

The update comes with the town and York Region strained for wastewater allocation for new development. A December staff report estimated the town has about five years of servicing capacity left based on a growth rate of 1,000 persons per year, allotted to various upcoming developments throughout town. The province is planning to increase regional wastewater allocation through a plant upgrade in Durham Region, but that is still several years away.

The town said this new update will consider all lands designated for future development, plus allowance to accommodate intensification. The plan will also identify solutions to improve water and wastewater facilities based on engineering, environmental considerations and public input.

The town has hired a consulting firm, TY Lin, to assist with the plan update.

The public engagement will start with a virtual public consultation session via Zoom. It will run Feb. 8 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. You can join the meeting and find more information at heynewmarket.ca/wwplan

Taylor said the plan would help the town reduce risks and identify gaps to “continue to provide safe and reliable levels of service."

“I encourage residents to participate in an upcoming public consultation centre to learn more about the project and provide your feedback,” Taylor said.