Water servicing and wastewater treatment allocation are hot topics in the County these days. There can be no housing development without them, and current infrastructure is rapidly reaching its limits.

While the capacity available does not meet provincial requirements, staff reported at the Committee of the Whole last week that there is enough supply to service active development projects in Picton, where three housing developers — Base31, Cold Creek, and the partners behind the plans for affordable housing on Nicholas Street — have been competing for a very slim water and wastewater supply. 

Wellington, however, is another story.

Picton has the water capacity for 1,118 new homes and wastewater treatment for 1,010. Wellington has water servicing room for 203 new homes and just five for wastewater treatment. 

In Wellington, several proposed infill developments are waiting approval, as well as a major subdivision by Kaitlin.

Developers need a guaranteed water and wastewater servicing allocation to build.

Director of Development Services Cristal Laanstra noted Picton’s developers need about 700 units combined in the short term, so they can now proceed.

That leaves “approximately 300 units of flexibility.” 

While the capacity available does not meet provincial requirements,
staff reported at the Committee of the Whole last week that there is
enough supply to service active development projects in Picton,
where three housing developers — Base31, Cold Creek, and the partners
behind the plans for affordable housing on Nicholas Street —
have been competing for a very slim water and wastewater supply. 

The water supply available in Picton was reassuring to some Committee members, who expected worse. Developers have been hearing there is little to no capacity. “That’s actually better than some of us thought,” said Councillor John Hirsch. 

In Wellington, because dwelling units need both water and wastewater treatment, its current service capacity can support just five new homes.

Decentralized wastewater systems

Wellington Councillor Engelsdorfer suggested a turn to packaged wastewater treatment technology to help Wellington get new home building off the ground.

 “Are we willing to look at interim solutions from developers?” he asked staff.

Small-scale, decentralized wastewater treatment facilities have the benefit of quick installation. But they are in most cases a temporary solution.

”Personally, I feel we should be looking at that at least as an interim solution,” Acting CAO Adam Goheen said, while noting it was a policy decision requiring a Council vote.

Ms. Laanstra added that while the Official Plan prioritizes long-term municipal infrastructure, packaged solutions are an option to explore.

Councillor Kate MacNaughton wondered if, while the availability in Wellington is “pretty slim to say the least,” the new allocation policy could prioritize those infill projects that could make use of it first. 

Councillor Engelsdorfer noted that a few lot severance applications in Wellington have been denied by the Planning and Development department because service capacity was uncertain. 

Ms. Laanstra confirmed that staff can update the applications. 

Long Term Planning

The Provincial Planning Statement requires municipalities to maintain sufficient infrastructure to service at least 15 years of growth.

Manager of Engineering David MacPherson explained that the calculation staff used was the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Standard. There are several factors that determine the results including population, climate, and infrastructure conditions. If any of these factors shift, the capacity can too. 

Mr. Goheen emphasized that the report is “not a planning document, it is a point-in-time assessment.

“We still need to plan and get ready for what comes after this,” he said. 

“I feel like we’re working together on this. It’s a good feeling,” said Councillor Chris Braney. “It gives me confidence and hope that we’re going to find solutions.”