Ontario allocates funding for Shelburne Water Pollution Control Plant rehabilitation

February 19, 2026 · 0 Comments

Written By JOSHUA DRAKES

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

Ontario is investing millions of dollars into critical infrastructure improvements in the Town of Shelburne, committing $12.5 million toward the rehabilitation of the community’s Water Pollution Control Plant.

Shelburne Mayor Wade Mills welcomed the funding announcement, highlighting its importance for the town’s infrastructure planning and long-term sustainability.

“The Town of Shelburne extends our sincere thanks to the Ontario government for awarding us $12.5 million in funding,” he said. “This incredible investment by the province in our small town infrastructure not only helps ease the financial burden of this major capital project, it is critical to our continued provision of safe and reliable waste treatment systems in our community.”

Municipal leaders say the project will play a key role in supporting Shelburne’s continued growth by ensuring core infrastructure keeps pace with rising demand. Investments in water and wastewater systems are also seen as essential to enabling new housing development and maintaining environmental standards.

Located in Shelburne, the Water Pollution Control Plant treats wastewater and protects local water quality.

The facility has been identified as requiring significant repairs and upgrades to maintain reliable service and meet future demand. Municipal officials have noted that undertaking a project of this scale would have placed considerable financial pressure on the town if it had been required to cover the full cost independently.

The funding announcement was shared in a Jan. 31 press release from Dufferin–Caledon MPP and Ontario Minister of Health Sylvia Jones, outlining provincial support for essential upgrades to the facility.

“This $12.5 million investment in Shelburne’s Water Pollution Control Plant will strengthen the reliability and safety of essential wastewater services for the community,” Jones said. “This investment reflects our government’s commitment to maintaining and upgrading the core infrastructure communities rely on every day.”

The province’s contribution aims to address aging infrastructure while helping ensure Shelburne can continue to provide safe and effective wastewater treatment for residents and businesses. According to the release, the funding will support rehabilitation work designed to improve system reliability, maintain environmental protections, and help accommodate future community growth.

The $12.5 million investment is being delivered through Ontario’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Health and Safety Water Stream (MHIP-HSWS).

The program was established to help municipalities strengthen critical water infrastructure, support housing development, protect communities during extreme weather events, and ensure access to safe drinking water and wastewater services.

Provincial officials say the program is intended to help communities modernize essential systems while reducing the financial burden on local taxpayers.