Overview
To support the Province’s More Homes Built Faster Act and with Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) approval, the Township is advancing a major wastewater infrastructure project to modernize servicing and address long-standing environmental concerns.
This project is supported by the Province of Ontario through two funding programs: the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund and the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program – Health and Safety Water Stream, which together provide $64,980,764 to rehabilitate water infrastructure in Adjala-Tosorontio. The investment will support growth within the Township and enable the future decommissioning of the aging New Horizons wastewater treatment plant. Decommissioning will occur after the new facility is fully operational. The New Horizons facility has been identified by both the Township and the Ministry of the Environment as presenting ongoing environmental concerns. The new wastewater treatment plant will address these issues by modernizing infrastructure, improving environmental performance, and meeting current provincial standards.
This project will be delivered with no cost to Township taxpayers, funded through a combination of developer contributions and provincial investment. In addition to resolving environmental concerns, it will provide capacity to support the long-term growth of Everett.
The project will be completed in phases, with multiple approvals and safeguards in place, and is expected to be completed in 2029.
Site Control
Purpose
The project will be delivered with rigorous site controls to protect neighbouring properties, ensure public and worker safety, minimize environmental impacts, and secure the construction site throughout all phases of work.
Construction Management and Site Controls
Traffic & Access Management
Traffic control measures will be implemented wherever work occurs within Township or County rights‑of‑way, including safe entry and exit points. All drivers will be properly licensed, and access will be managed to ensure public safety and minimize disruption. To minimize noise disruption, a no use of air brakes sign will be installed within the area.
Clean Site Practices
Controlled access points, stone mud mats, and regular road cleaning will be used to prevent tracking of mud and debris beyond the site. The site will be maintained in a clean, orderly, and sanitary condition at all times.
Environmental Monitoring & Protection
Ongoing monitoring will be conducted to identify and mitigate potential impacts related to groundwater, vibration, settlement, and surrounding conditions. This includes documentation of existing conditions and engineering quality assurance throughout construction.
Tree and Natural Feature Protection
Tree protection will be overseen by a qualified arborist and guided by a comprehensive tree inventory and protection plan. Measures will be implemented to prevent damage, mitigate construction impacts, and manage any approved removals with professional oversight.
Dust and Sediment Management
Comprehensive mitigation measures will be in place to control dust, erosion, sediment run‑off, and stormwater. These measures will be routinely inspected and adjusted as needed, including following storm events, to ensure continued effectiveness.
Groundwater Controls
Groundwater control is the process of removing water from the area in order to install underground infrastructure. Temporary on-site activities will be carefully managed to protect groundwater and nearby watercourses and comply with all applicable conservation authority and provincial requirements, including mandatory permits.
Site Security and Safety
Site Access and Security
The site will be secured by the contractor to prevent unauthorized access during off‑hours while maintaining uninterrupted access for emergency services. The Township retains the right to enter the site to address any conditions that may affect public health or safety.
Health and Safety
Safety measures will meet or exceed legislative requirements. Township staff will have unrestricted access for inspections, and appropriate safety orientation and sign‑in procedures will be provided for all authorized personnel.
Signage and Public Information
Clear and visible signage will be installed to communicate safety requirements, emergency contacts, project funding recognition, contractor information, and Township project updates, including digital access via QR code.
Administration, Oversight and Governance
Insurance
The contractor will maintain appropriate general liability insurance, naming the Township as an additional insured.
Township Oversight Team
The project will be overseen by a multidisciplinary Township team, supported by external partners and consultants, to ensure coordinated review, compliance, operational readiness, and communications while advancing a modern wastewater treatment facility that improves environmental outcomes and supports sustainable growth, with no tax impact to residents.
Approvals & Permits
The project is subject to all required municipal, county, conservation authority, and provincial approvals, including environmental, building, right‑of‑way, and legislative requirements at each stage of construction.
Key Projects
Key projects are indicated by letter as stated on the Site Location Map.
The new Everett wastewater treatment plant sewage is screened to remove large items, then treated and filtered using a special system called membranes, made of tiny hollow fibres with very small holes that let clean water pass through while solids stay on the outside. The filtered water is then disinfected with UV light before the cleaned water is piped to the Pine River, where it is continuously monitored to meet the rules set by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP).
The solids that are removed are treated and stored safely, then used as land fertilizer in a safe and responsible way while following strict MECP rules.
The New Horizons Facility will be closed, and services will transition to newer, more reliable Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant with up-to-date equipment and technology. By having sewage go to the new Everett plant, it will fix current environmental problems at the Dekker Street site, and improve how the system works over time.
A new pumping station will be built at Dekker St. with backup power, alarms, and odour control. A new pipe will also be installed along County Road 5 to Concession 6, and then north to the Everett plant. When the new Everett plant is ready, the sewage from New Horizons will be sent there. Afterwards, the old facility will be safely shut down and properly decommissioned.
Safety will be very important during construction. The site will have strict fencing and signs, and all safety rules will be followed. The new system will be monitored regularly using a control system, with regular inspections and maintenance.
These changes will help protect groundwater, make the system more reliable, and reduce impacts on the community.
The 6th Concession Road Works project will help support the building of the new Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) by creating a safe and reliable road for construction vehicles. This newly built road will also allow for access to the future development.
The project includes building a new part of 6th Concession Road from County Road 5 north to the entrance of the plant, with ditches, an asphalt surface, and driveway entrances for nearby homes. The intersection at County Road 5 will be improved with turning lanes, signs, and road markings, and it will be designed to allow for traffic lights and lighting in the future.
The project will also include new underground pipes, including a wastewater pipe that connects to the work at the New Horizons facility and a water pipe that services the new Everett plant.
Early road construction will include removing vegetation within the right of way, shaping, and building the road in stages, with a focus on safety, site security, and reducing disruption.
As the design moves forward, more information will be shared with residents who live along Concession 6. Overall, this project will support important infrastructure, improve road safety, and increase service capacity at no cost to the Township.
The Water Supply Upgrades project will help make sure the community continues to have safe and reliable drinking water while preparing for future growth. One key goal is to increase water storage, by expanding the existing reservoir, which will strengthen the system and support fire protection.
Upgrades will include building a new water pipe along 6th Concession that will connect the upsized reservoir into the existing system to improve water flow, remove dead ends, and improve water quality and help serve future development. A new municipal well will also be built to support future growth.
Together, these improvements will make the water system stronger, improve reliability and circulation, and provide long-term service for the community.
More information will be shared about the project in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions will constantly be updated as the project moves forward. Please check back regularly.
Ministry of Infrastructure: Approve grants and require project updates.
County of Simcoe: Approver for County Road intersection improvements and road occupancy permits.
Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA): Permit approvals for specific work in their regulated authority area.
Ministry of the Environment. Conservation and Parks (MECP): Ensures that the infrastructure meets the regulations of the Ministry including proper design, treatment regulations, and mandatory effluent targets, guidelines and limits.
- Ensures approvals, by-law requirements, permits, agreements and certifications are in place and abided by throughout the project
- Oversees design and construction technical standards
- Ensures appropriate experts are in place to assist Township staff
- Communicate with the public
The contractor will implement comprehensive monitoring and site management throughout construction to protect public safety, the environment, and nearby properties. Traffic and site access will be carefully controlled, with designated entry and exit points, and measures to reduce noise and disruption. Environmental monitoring will be ongoing to identify and address potential impacts such as groundwater changes, vibration, and settlement, supported by engineering oversight and documentation. Groundwater will be managed in accordance with all regulatory requirements. The site will be secured outside of working hours while maintaining emergency access, and all work will meet or exceed health and safety standards. Clear signage will provide safety information, contacts, and project updates. The project is supported by Township oversight, required approvals and permits, insurance, legal agreements, and financial securities to ensure accountability and protection of the residents.
Township staff reviewed whether updates were needed to the Environmental Assessment (EA) and the Master Servicing Plan. Based on advice from the Township’s engineering consultant and the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP), it was confirmed that no updates are required. This is because there have been no significant changes to environmental conditions, servicing or drainage areas, or the approved wastewater treatment technology since the original studies were completed.
As a matter of process and to be prudent, follow up reports are being conducted that are directly associated with the Funded projects, for example, WWTP Preliminary design report, additional hydrological/geological studies, Water System Hydraulic Analysis Update, Sanitary Drainage Plan Update.
Provincial funding agreements are now in place for the water and wastewater projects. Design work for the new wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and the required underground infrastructure, including pipes, is moving forward.
Early site access work and environmental protection measures will begin shortly to support construction of the WWTP. Additional earthworks will also take place under the Earthworks Agreement for the proposed Farsight development. (Refer to links at the bottom of this page for information on developments) Note: Housing connections will only proceed once the WWTP and all supporting infrastructure are fully constructed, tested, and commissioned.
Overall, the project continues to meet Provincial standards and environmental requirements and is being advanced in a careful and responsible manner, with consideration for the surrounding sensitive community and environment
Once the wastewater biosolids have been separated, broken down, and stabilized, they will be used for land application as an environmentally responsible fertilizer and will adhere to strict MECP regulations.
The sewage is screened, biotreated, filtered and UV disinfected, through state-of-the-art technology, it is then pumped from the wastewater treatment plant, through the forcemain to the proposed outlet at the Pine River. The discharge pipe of the plant is continuously monitored to ensure that all MECP compliance limits are being met.
The Township’s role is to oversee and administer the funding agreements and to protect the public interest. While the project is funded by Provincial grants and the developer, the Township ensures that the new wastewater and water infrastructure are designed and constructed to required standards. Once completed, these facilities will be transferred to the Township at no cost. The Township’s oversight helps ensure safe, reliable infrastructure that respects the surrounding sensitive environment and serves the community over the long term.
The Grant projects have been positioned to meet the Township’s intention that no municipal tax dollars will be used for the projects relating to the two Provincial Funding Agreements, in addition to contributions from the developer. This approach supports growth pays for growth, while ensuring responsible growth, protecting the surrounding sensitive environment and minimizing impacts on the community.
The overall project timeline is driven by the need to construct the wastewater and water infrastructure by Provincial timelines. A secure outlet for treated wastewater is required under Provincial planning and servicing requirements. The outlet component is on the critical path on the overall project which includes gaining land ownership.
Although the schedule is tight, the Township is following its Procurement Policy and all required environmental approvals. Construction is being planned and carried out carefully to protect the surrounding environment, to address public concerns and, ensure that public safety remains a priority.
The outfall land agreement was approved at the May 22, 2026 Special Council Meeting. The property owner has several conditions to clear before the Township accepts the lands.
It is noted that if the related future development lands do not move forward through the planning approval process within the next 15 years, an independent appraisal would be completed to determine the land’s value as of 2026. That value would then be addressed through future Development Charges, not municipal taxes. At no time would this result in a cost to the Township.
This outfall is required for the safe discharge of treated wastewater from the new WWTP. Note that under the Funding Agreement the new WWTP also treats the flows from the reconfigured New Horizons WWTP.
For any concerns related to the Wastewater Treatment Plant, please refer to the appropriate listing under Project Contacts.
Project Contacts
For more information about this specific project, please contact the Engineering at the Township Municipal Centre, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Staff Project Lead
Engineering and Development Manager
Graeme King
Township of Adjala-Tosorontio
7855 30th Sideroad Alliston, ON L9R 1V1
705-434-5055