Bayfield Wastewater Treatment Facility Now Open to Serve the Community
Bluewater ON— The Municipality of Bluewater is pleased to announce that the Bayfield Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion project is nearing completion.
Substantial completion status signals the completion of major construction and indicates the facility is ready for use. The Plant has been put into full service after having completed commissioning of the treatment process. The expanded facility is now ready to be used for treatment of additional effluent.
Work on the expansion project began November 19, 2024, after the Municipality of Bluewater was awarded $8,347,185 through the Government of Ontario’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (MHIP-HEWSF). The project involved the installation of a treatment plant at the Bayfield Lagoons to increase effluent treatment capacity. The project was funded in part by the provincial grant with remaining costs funded through the Municipality of Bluewater’s sewer reserve, revenue generated through development charges and Bayfield Expansion funds, a revenue stream pre-dating development charges.
Prior to completion of the expansion project, the Bayfield Wastewater Treatment Facility was operating over its rated capacity, limiting growth in the Bayfield settlement area. Expansion of the facility will help the Municipality of Bluewater to meet current and future housing needs within the community.
“Through our government’s $4 billion Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, we are protecting Ontario by investing in local infrastructure that drives economic growth, enables more homes and strengthens communities,” said Todd McCarthy, Ontario’s Acting Minister of Infrastructure. “For families and residents in Bluewater, this project will help unlock the construction of more than 500 new homes, helping support long-term growth and new jobs across the region.”
“Investments in critical infrastructure like the Bayfield Wastewater Treatment Facility Expansion are essential to supporting strong, sustainable communities and creating the conditions needed for future growth,” said Lisa Thompson, MPP for Huron-Bruce. “Through the Housing Enabling Water Systems Fund, our government is helping municipalities like Bluewater enhance wastewater capacity, support housing opportunities, and ensure residents and businesses have access to reliable services for years to come.”
“We’re happy with the progress on the expansion project and thankful to receive substantial completion. With this notice, we can keep moving forward by providing safe, valuable wastewater services to our residents and businesses in Bayfield,” said Paul Klopp, Mayor of Bluewater. “Bluewater would like to acknowledge the support of our local MPP, the Honorable Lisa Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs and the Government of Ontario through the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, which enabled us to move forward with this project.”
The Municipality of Bluewater opened planning applications related to the expansion of capacity in January 2026. The Development Services Department continues to accept planning and allocation applications. To ensure allocation is delivered fairly and equitably, the municipality has adopted an allocation policy.