Background

York Region continues to be one of the fastest growing regions in Canada and is expected to continue to experience rapid growth over the next 20 to 30 years. This growth, which has been forecast by the Provincial Government, will put enormous pressure on the Region's environment and its infrastructure. Without appropriate action, the demand for water and wastewater servicing resulting from the rapid population and economic growth will eventually exceed water and wastewater system capacities. Limitations on where this growth can occur have a direct impact on individual components of the existing water and wastewater systems serving York Region. Furthermore, recent changes to the regulatory framework in Ontario mean additional, more stringent conditions will likely be imposed on existing systems.

In consideration of these challenges, and with a view to adopting an integrated and sustainable approach to growth management, York Region has formulated the following problem statement to guide the Class EA for future long term water and wastewater servicing:

"To provide long-term water and wastewater services for the communities of York Region, that are safe, well-managed, and sustainable, ensuring in so doing that the natural heritage and environment of the Region are preserved and protected, that the projects, programs and policies supporting the servicing are delivered in a fiscally responsible manner, that the works and services are in compliance with applicable legislation, regulations and guidelines, and that the delivery of water and wastewater works and services is integrated with the Region's other infrastructure, planning, and growth management responsibilities."

York Region has a long-established history of planning for water and wastewater servicing. To address the issues identified in the problem statement in a way that achieves the stated goals and builds on past efforts, the Region determined that the most appropriate approach would be to update its existing separate water and wastewater master plans into a single, overall plan. This Master Plan Update thus encompasses the York Water System, the York-Durham Sewage System, and all small community water and wastewater systems.

The Region chose this approach for a number of reasons, namely:

� The unprecedented population and economic growth that the Provincial Government has mandated for York Region;

� Direction from the Provincial Government about where this growth can take place;

� York Region's responsibility to provide a range of services � not just water and wastewater, but all other services needed to meet population and economic demands, such as transportation, housing, and human services; and,

� The Region's need to deliver the range of services in a way that would protect and enhance its natural environment, ensure healthy communities, and promote on-going economic vitality.

An update to the current Water and Wastewater Master Plans is needed to ensure that the Region reaches its goals of Sustainable Natural Environment, Economic Vitality and Healthy Communities, while providing safe, affordable, efficient and effective water and wastewater servicing for the communities of York Region. Click the following link to view a copy of the Notice of Study Commencement.

Why is the Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update Needed?