Whitewater Region has received the final report from an important group investigating the major strain on taxpayers wallets.
The township’s Water & Wastewater Task Force has delivered 45 recommendations to address concerns about increasing water and wastewater rates, including alternative funding options and an independent review of the Cobden Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade.
The Task Force was comprised of five community members, two councillors, and key Township staff and was tasked with offering recommendations and guidance on managing the operational and long-term costs of these systems, including a review of existing programs, policies, and potential solutions.
A number of key actions are already being considered, with a number of recommendations being included in the 2025 budget, such as exploring funding opportunities beyond user-pay models, such as the redistribution of the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund.
They also suggested enhancing public education on proper storm and wastewater, revising bylaws to implement controls and establish fines, investigating commercial effluent impacts, engaging the public in major projects, and reevaluating rate classes.
Meanwhile, the township says they are working with their legal team and a third-party expert to inform their ongoing decisions regarding the technical aspects of the Cobden wastewater plant, such as design, construction, operations, and performance.
The review can be found in full on the Township of Whitewater Region’s website.
(written by Kasey Egan)