Water and Wastewater Master Plan

York Region is updating its Water and Wastewater Master Plan to ensure drinking water and wastewater services meet community needs now and into the future. The Water and Wastewater Master Plan is the Region’s plan for providing safe, cost-efficient and reliable water and wastewater services to the Region’s residents, businesses and communities.

Water and Wastewater Master Plan Open House 3

Thank you for participating!
 

Our third and final Water and Wastewater Master Plan update Open House is now closed.

Feedback gathered through Open House 3 will help shape the final report to York Regional Council in 2022.

To stay informed, sign up for project updates and subscribe to our Splash e-newsletter.

If you missed our previous Open Houses, below are materials from each session:

Why update the Master Plan?

York Region is expected to grow to 2.02 million people and 990,000 jobs by 2051. To accommodate this growth, address the Region’s evolving communities and stay current with the changing needs of the future, the Region reviews and updates the plan every five years. The last Master Plan update, endorsed by Council in 2016, is the foundation of this work.

  • The Master Plan’s goal is to support healthy and complete communities by identifying long-term strategies, initiatives, programs and infrastructure projects to meet water and wastewater servicing needs to 2051 and beyond
  • The updated Master Plan will be presented to York Region Council for endorsement in 2022
  • The Master Plan update will follow the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment master planning process and will become the basis for future studies for proposed Schedule B and C projects

NOTICE: Prior project communications indicated the Master Plan Update would also fulfill the requirements for selected Schedule B projects identified in the plan. This direction has changed and now Schedule B Environmental Assessments for specific projects will happen as standalone studies outside of the Master Plan process.

Where are we in the process and how to get involved

The Plan update involves three stages: Discover, Explore, and Reveal. In each of these stages, the Region sought public feedback to better understand perspectives on our water and wastewater system.

An Open House was held at each stage. Public and stakeholder engagement was incorporated at all phases of the project.

The graphic below shows the project timeline and theme of each Open House.

 

Where we are in the process

 

Discover

In the Discover stage, we listened and learned. The Region listened to stakeholders, partners and the public to understand views, concerns and expectations through consultation.
 
This stage also informed people about:
  • Our existing water and wastewater systems
  • Constraints and opportunities to providing water and wastewater services to existing and future communities
  • Existing water and wastewater programs, policies and strategies and how they integrate with the Water and Wastewater Master Plan

Open House 1 (2019)

A report was prepared summarizing the 2019 Open House 1 event and how the feedback received will be considered in the Master Plan. View the summary report.

You can view Open House 1's Display Boards and view the online Open House 1 presentation.

Accessible formats or communication supports due to disability are available upon request. Please contact [email protected] or call 1-877-464-9675.

Explore

In the Explore stage, we consulted with the public and stakeholders to get feedback on proposed servicing strategies. We ensured input received at the Discover stage was considered prior to developing the proposed servicing strategies.

This stage aimed to:

  • Identify needs and priorities of local municipalities
  • Develop high-level, Region-wide strategies to provide water and wastewater service to existing and future communities to 2051

Open House 2 (2021)

Input received from this online Open House helped inform the recommended servicing solutions and future infrastructure being shared in the third and final Open House. It was held February 16 - March 2, 2021.

You can view the online Open House 2 presentation and read the Summary Report.

Reveal

We are currently in the Reveal stage. The Reveal stage focuses on presenting the proposed long-term strategies and supporting infrastructure. Public engagement activities for this stage have concluded.

This stage aims to:

  • Identify the water and wastewater servicing strategies and recommended infrastructure
  • Finalize Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update documents for public and Regional Council review and endorsement

Open House 3 (2021)

This online Open House presented the final long-term servicing strategies and supporting draft infrastructure plans for York Region’s water and wastewater services to 2051. The Open House focused on sharing information and provided opportunities to submit questions and comments. It was held from June 24 – July 8, 2021.

You can review the online Open House 3 presentation. Check back later in the summer for a Summary Report.

Accessible formats or communication supports due to disability are available upon request. Please contact @email or call 1-877-464-9675.

Will there be any other public engagement opportunities?

Public consultation on the Water and Wastewater Master Plan update has concluded. The final Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update will be posted on the York Region website for 30 days in early 2022 for public comment. To be notified when the Plan is posted, sign up for the Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update project mailing list.

Future public engagement opportunities on water issues and other topics will be promoted in local newspapers, on this webpage and on York Region’s social media channels — Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Stay up to date on opportunities to get involved in environmental topics at York Region by signing up for our Splash eNewsletter.

Should you have any questions, please email us at @email

One Water Approach

What is “One Water”?

One Water is an integrated planning and implementation approach that considers the urban water cycle as a single integrated system. Urban water flows are identified as potential resources and the connection between drinking water supply, groundwater, stormwater and wastewater is optimized. Their combined impact on flooding, water quality, wetlands and water courses are recognized. This approach strives to reduce the need to build new infrastructure by making the best use of existing infrastructure, conserving water and employing water reuse to create opportunities for treated wastewater.

York Region turned to One Water to help identify cost effective solutions leading to a financially sustainable system, to reduce reliance on water sources beyond its borders, and to minimize its impact on the natural environment.
One Water is a key strategic component of the Water and Wastewater Master Plan that was introduced to help identify cost-effective solutions leading to a financially sustainable system, reduce reliance on water sources beyond York Region’s borders and minimize impact on the natural environmental, all while meeting the water needs of a growing population.

Decision Making. 1. Integration 2.Infrastretching 3.Innovation

Through the Master Plan update, the One Water approach is applied by making decisions using guiding principles:

  • Innovation: practice and explore new concepts and ideas to promote cost efficiency and environmental sustainability
  • Integration: take a coordinated, holistic approach to water resource management
  • Infra-stretching: maximize the useful life and capacity of built infrastructure to minimize or defer capital investment
Previous Master Plan Update (2016)

The 2021 Water and Wastewater Master Plan update is being developed on the foundation of the 2016 Plan. The servicing strategy and infrastructure recommended in 2016 has been reviewed and adjusted to accommodate updated population and employment forecasts to 2051. 

Key outcomes of the 2016 Master Plan:

2016 Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update final report

Recommended Servicing Strategy display boards – January 2016 Open Houses

Recommended 2041 Water and Wastewater Servicing Strategy maps

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Water Wastewater Master Plan?

The Water and Wastewater Master Plan provides a long-term water and wastewater servicing strategy that supports existing communities and growth to 2051. It integrates social, environmental and financial sustainability principles. Updates to the Master Plan are coordinated with the Region’s Municipal Comprehensive Review and follow Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process. In combination with other plans, studies and reports, it meets the needs of Section 3.2.6 of the Province’s Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.

What is a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Process? What does this mean for the Water and Wastewater Master Plan?

The Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Process is an approved process under the Environmental Assessment Act.

The Water and Wastewater Master Plan is being conducted in accordance with the requirements of Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Process.

The Class Environmental Assessment process provides a consistent, streamlined and easily understood process for planning and implementing municipal infrastructure projects. It also ensures public and stakeholder participation.

By completing Phases 1 and 2 of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment process, York Region can expedite the implementation of certain servicing solutions identified in the Water and Wastewater Master Plan. The Master Plan provides the basis for future studies for specific proposed Schedule B and C projects.
 

Why does York Region’s Water and Wastewater Master Plan need to be updated?

York Region’s current Water and Wastewater Master Plan was endorsed by Council in 2016. Updating the Plan on a regular basis ensures projects and initiatives reflect the Region’s evolving needs and challenges.

How will the Master Plan consider long-term sustainability?

Similar to the 2016 Water and Wastewater Master Plan, this update is based on three key principles using the One Water approach. The principles, with more specific examples of what will be considered, are:

Integration: taking a coordinated and holistic approach to water resource and growth management 

Regional, local municipal planning

Asset management projects

Water conservation

Inflow and infiltration reduction

Innovation: practicing and exploring new concepts and ideas to promote cost efficiency and environmental sustainability

Optimizing energy efficiency, consumption and costs

Climate change adaptation and resiliency

Water reuse

Exploring new technologies

Infrastructure optimization (Infra-stretching): maximizing the useful life and capacity of built infrastructure to defer and/or minimize capital investment

Reduce demands on water and wastewater systems by implementing the Long Term Water Conservation Strategy (LTWCS) and Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) reduction

Align growth and infrastructure

What happens after the Master Plan is completed?

Once the Plan is completed, we will implement the servicing strategy identified in the Master Plan. This includes carrying out appropriate policy and program recommendations, maintaining existing water and wastewater infrastructure, and building new infrastructure in accordance with the Class Environmental Assessments process.

How does the Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update relate to other Regional initiatives?

York Region is completing the Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update in coordination with the Region’s Municipal Comprehensive Review. Directly related to the Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update are:

The Municipal Comprehensive Review helps the Region plan for growth and ensures that the infrastructure to support that growth is in place, now and for the future and includes the review of the Regional Official Plan and Transportation Master Plan

The Regional Official Plan outlines the policies of York Region to guide growth management, economic, environmental and community planning decisions. The Water and Wastewater Master Plan is an infrastructure master plan to service the growth identified in the Regional Official Plan

The Transportation Master Plan is York Region’s blueprint addressing the transportation and mobility needs of those living and working in York Region to 2051 and beyond, as identified in the Regional Official Plan. It guides planning and investing in the Region’s transportation network, including Regional Roads, York Region Transit (YRT/Viva) and regional cycling and walking trails and pathways

The Regional Official Plan, Water and Wastewater Master Plan and the Transportation Master Plan are updated at the same so that we grow in a coordinated way and ensure we have essential infrastructure in the right place at the right time at the right cost.

These three plans are key inputs into the Region’s 2022 Development Charges Bylaw update. Development charges are fees collected on new developments that help fund growth-related infrastructure including paramedic, police, public health, roads, social housing, transit, waste diversion, water and wastewater services. These charges ensure proper infrastructure is in place in time to welcome new residents and businesses to York Region.

How does the Master Plan address water quality?

The Water and Wastewater Master Plan is a long-range overview infrastructure plan to provide water and wastewater services to our growing communities to 2051. While water safety and quality is inherently considered in our service delivery planning, treatment strategies for the infrastructure recommended in the Master Plan will be developed at the facility design stage during a project-specific environmental assessment. 

Water safety and quality is extremely important to York Region. All water distributed to our residents by York Region’s local nine cities and towns must meet high regulatory quality standards as legislated by the Province of Ontario. York Region’s water is monitored around the clock to ensure it complies with the Ontario Drinking Water Quality Standards, which identify more than 100 criteria for safe consumption limits, proven on the basis of medical research. These criteria are revised by the Province as needed to reflect new scientific findings or concerns. For more information, please visit york.ca/drinkingwater

Is the Master Plan considering water conservation and efficiency initiatives like grey water use?

To anticipate future water and wastewater infrastructure needs, the Water and Wastewater Master Plan uses historical water consumption data which reflects the success of the Long Term Water Conservation Strategy (LTWCS) and uses that to inform estimates of future water demands. Opportunities to use water more efficiently such as using greywater are explored further through the LTWCS. To learn more, visit york.ca/longtermwater

York Region has a long history of practicing water conservation and efficiency programming that spans more than twenty years. York Region’s LTWCS expands on existing Regional plans, strategies and programs, and sets the stage for innovative and jurisdiction-leading water conservation and efficiency programming. The strategy is updated on a five year cycle and the next update is planned to be complete in 2021.

How do I know if my property/development will receive servicing?

The Water and Wastewater Master Plan is a long-range overview infrastructure plan to provide water and wastewater services to growth identified through the Municipal Comprehensive Review/Regional Official Plan update.

The Regional Official Plan must comply with provincial legislation such as the Provincial Policy Statement, the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, the Greenbelt Plan, Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan and the Lake Simcoe Protection Plan. These plans contain policies that guide how York Region plans for municipal servicing and include restrictions on extending lake-based municipal servicing or extending partial servicing for specific areas.

Towns and cities will be updating their local Official Plans to conform with the updated Regional Official Plan. As towns and cities are responsible for distribution of municipal water and wastewater servicing directly to the end user, they will identify if/when a particular development or property will receive municipal servicing.

Please contact your local town or city for more information on servicing plans for a specific location.

For more information about the Municipal Comprehensive Review, visit york.ca/mcr

How does the Water and Wastewater Master Plan protect the environment and water supplies for the future?

The Water and Wastewater Master Plan sets out a long-term infrastructure plan to service the growth envisioned through the Regional Official Plan update. The Regional Official Plan is the blueprint for future growth and development in York Region and outlines policies to guide growth management, economic, environmental and community planning decisions. These policies, based on direction from provincial legislation, aim to protect agriculture, the natural heritage system (environmentally significant areas, aquatic and wildlife habitats, etc.) and the water resources system.

Beyond the Regional Official Plan, York Region has other initiatives, plans and programs to protect the environment and water supplies. Source Water Protection is a program legislated by the Province of Ontario to protect municipal drinking water sources from contamination or over-use. York Region has a Source Water Protection program that works with municipalities, agricultural, industrial and commercial industries, residents and developers to protect our water sources from threats like pollution within vulnerable areas now and into the future. Learn more at york.ca/protectingwater

York Region staff go above and beyond government requirements and monitor water and wastewater for emerging contaminants to provide context to developing research and identify any potential future risks early. Staff work with world class researchers to determine if steps need to be taken to address new contaminants in the treatment process and advocate with other levels of government to reduce the amount of potentially risky chemicals from reaching drinking water supplies by reducing them at the source.

Get Involved and Stay Connected!

There are many opportunities to get involved in the Water and Wastewater Master Plan Update project. For more information, to sign up for project updates or to submit questions or comments about the 2021 Master Plan Update, contact @email or 1-877-464-9675.

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