Winnipeg proposes $2.5 billion in water and waste infrastructure

WINNIPEG — Winnipeg aims to push its water infrastructure into the future with a $2.5 billion capital investment plan.

According to the city’s preliminary 2021 Balanced Budget Update, officials are planning significant funding investments into combined sewer overflows, water and sewermain renewals, and a water meter renewal program.

“We continue the work to reduce sewage spills into our rivers through our combined sewer overflow mitigation program – a $180 million commitment over the next six years,” said Brian Mayes, chairperson of the standing policy committee on water and waste, riverbank management and the environment, in a release.

The funds would spend $117 million in watermain renewals and $117 million in sewermain renewals over the next six years. The program would also invest $39 million towards a residential water meter renewal plan to provide much needed upgrades to aging water meter infrastructure.

Officials stated the investments would also help protect Lake Winnipeg through upgrades to the North End Sewage Treatment Plant. These upgrades are also be key in supporting future growth and development in Winnipeg.