It has been two years since construction officially began on Collingwood's Water Treatment Plant Expansion project, a major investment that will help support the community's growth and water needs for decades to come.
Since the project kick-off in July 2024, steady progress has been made on the state-of-the-art expansion located on the shores of Georgian Bay. Once complete, the project will provide the infrastructure needed to support future residential, commercial, and industrial growth while helping ensure a reliable water supply for the community over the next 25 years and beyond.
A key milestone was reached at the end of July 2026 when interim capacity came online. The water treatment plant can now produce an additional 5,000 m³ of water per day. Under the existing water agreement, approximately 37 percent of this new capacity is allocated to the Town of Collingwood and 63 percent to the Town of New Tecumseth.
The project has also benefited from a collaborative and innovative approach. During the design phase, the Town pre-qualified experienced general contractors and engaged them early in the process to provide feedback on constructability and contract considerations. This approach helped inform the final design and is expected to reduce potential construction challenges as work continues.
At the construction site, excavation and rock removal activities are nearing completion. Crews have approximately 1.5 metres remaining before reaching the final depth required to begin construction of the new treatment plant building.
While the total project cost is estimated at $270 million, the financial impact is significantly reduced through $150 million in provincial funding, with the remaining costs shared between the Town and the Town of New Tecumseth.
The project remains on schedule and on budget, with additional water supply expected to come online in late 2029. Construction of the expanded facility is anticipated to be fully complete in 2032.
Residents can follow the project's progress through quarterly construction updates and regular video updates posted on the project page.
To stay informed, residents are encouraged to subscribe to the project page and follow along as this important project continues to take shape. https://engage.collingwood.ca/wtp