City of Guelph secures more than $33.4 million in federal funding to support improved wastewater treatment and more housing

August 11, 2026 – Guelph, Ontario

Today, the Government of Canada announced more than $33.4 million through the Build Communities Strong Fund for the City of Guelph to improve the City’s wastewater system.

These improvements will help the City maintain high treatment standards, increase the system’s capacity, and support new housing as Guelph grows. Some key benefits include:

• Increasing treatment capacity by 24 per cent and installing bigger pipes to support growth and improve system resilience.
• Changing the wastewater disinfection process from chlorine to ultraviolet (UV) light, providing a more sustainable process while maintaining high standards for treated wastewater. This change will also remove the need for chlorination and dechlorination processes.

“The Build Communities Strong Fund is building essential, sustainable infrastructure that Canadians rely on every day,” said Dominique O’Rourke, Member of Parliament for Guelph, on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada. “As a former Guelph city councillor and former chair of the Infrastructure, Development and Environment committee, I know how vital today’s investment in wastewater treatment infrastructure in Guelph is to prepare our city for growth, enabling more housing and ensuring a more resilient wastewater system in the face of climate change.”

The announcement took place at the Water Resource Recovery Centre, near the future site of the tertiary treatment facility. Dominique O’Rourke, M.P., announced the funding on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure, alongside Mayor Cam Guthrie and City representatives.

“This investment helps Guelph plan responsibly for the future while protecting essential services residents rely on every day,” said Mayor Cam Guthrie. “By securing federal funding for critical wastewater infrastructure, we can support housing growth, strengthen system resiliency and reduce pressure on municipal funding sources.”

About the project
The project will support new housing while maintaining reliable, high-quality wastewater service as Guelph grows. It includes:

• Building a new tertiary treatment facility at the Water Resource Recovery Centre.
• Expanding and upgrading the Waterloo Avenue trunk sewer from:
• Silvercreek Parkway to the Water Resource Recovery Centre (across the Hanlon)
• Silvercreek to Edinburgh, including a connection to the Wellington Street Trunk Sewer via Roland Street

Construction on the treatment facility is expected to start early September 2026. The entire project is expected to be completed by fall 2030.

“Reliable wastewater infrastructure is essential to supporting a growing community,” said Tara Baker, Chief Administration Officer, City of Guelph. “With support from the Government of Canada, this project will deliver critical upgrades to Guelph’s tertiary treatment facilities, supporting the City’s long-term growth and environmental objectives. As a key component of a broader program of wastewater infrastructure investments, this project will help enable the additional treatment capacity needed to accommodate future housing and business development. By incorporating advanced treatment technologies, we are modernizing our operations and strengthening the sustainability and resilience of our wastewater system for generations to come.”

Maintaining the City’s healthy financial position and improving housing supply are key priorities in the Future Guelph Strategic Plan. This project supports that work by funding infrastructure needed for new homes and businesses.

Quick facts
• The new tertiary treatment facility will increase capacity by 24 per cent and change disinfection from chlorination/dechlorination to UV technology.
• By 2031, this project is expected to allow nearly 4,400 new housing units to get built across the city.
• The Build Communities Strong Fund invests in infrastructure projects that support economic prosperity, housing, transit, community infrastructure and climate adaptation.
• The funding represents 40 per cent of eligible project costs, estimated at $83.7 million.