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York Region, Ont., receives federal funding to upgrade groundwater supply to withstand impacts of extreme weather

York Region, Ont. – York Region in Ontario is getting a funding boost from the federal government to upgrade its water supply, treatment and storage of drinking water to protect it from the effects of severe weather, including flooding and drought.

The northern York Region’s water supply, which is primarily sourced from lake water, is regularly affected by extreme weather. The investment in groundwater treatment upgrades will improve the long-term reliability and quantity of the interconnected local groundwater supply system that is located in four communities, according to a news release from Infrastructure Canada.

The project is administered through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, a $2-billion, 10-year program to help communities build the infrastructure they need to better withstand natural hazards such as floods, wildfires, earthquakes and droughts.

The Regional Municipality of York is contributing more than $27 million to the project. The federal government is contributing $18.1 million to the project.

It is one of many flood-related projects funded in the Toronto area, including investments to combat erosion along the waterfront and in city ravines, as well as upgrading watermains and culverts across the city.

“As in many regions across Canada, York Region’s communities are experiencing the impacts of climate change. The investments in the groundwater treatment upgrades will minimize the costly effects of severe weather events and ensure residents’ drinking water is protected for generations to come,” said Tony Van Bynen, member of parliament for Newmarket–Aurora, on behalf of Catherine McKenna, minister of infrastructure and communities.

York Region Chairman and CEO Wayne Emmerson said: “Like most communities around the world, York Region is experiencing the impacts of climate change. Through the support of our federal partners, we continue to invest in critical infrastructure improvements to build resiliency in York Region’s groundwater supply system while also safeguarding the health of residents today and in the future.”