NORTH DUNDAS – The federal government is investing more than $8.4 million to expand and upgrade the water distribution system in the Township of North Dundas a project expected to support future residential development while improving water service reliability for existing users.

The funding, announced July 16 by Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson, will help the Township of North Dundas expand its drinking water infrastructure in Winchester and Chesterville through the federal Build Communities Strong Fund.

The project includes upgrades to the community’s water distribution network and the construction of an above-ground water storage reservoir. The work follows the installation of two new groundwater wells and is intended to increase the system’s capacity to meet future demand.

Once completed, the upgraded system is expected to provide sufficient capacity to serve approximately 1,650 new homes, while continuing to supply water to existing industries, Winchester District Memorial Hospital and a local long-term care facility.

“Building a strong Canada starts with building strong communities,” said The Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada.

“The Government of Canada is building infrastructure at a speed and scale not seen in generations, the type of infrastructure projects that support stronger, safer, more connected communities across the country. The Build Communities Strong Fund is building the infrastructure that Canadians rely on every day. Today’s investment in water distribution infrastructure in North Dundas will help the Township expand its water service while maintaining a resilient and reliable network,”

North Dundas Mayor Tony Fraser said the funding will help address both current and future infrastructure needs.

“This federal investment is a significant milestone for our community, helping us replace aging water infrastructure while strengthening the reliability and capacity of our drinking water system. These upgrades will improve service for current residents, support future housing and economic growth, and ensure our infrastructure is built to serve the community for years to come,” said Mayor Fraser. “We thank the Government of Canada for its investment in our community’s future.”

The federal government is providing $8,461,476 through the Direct Delivery stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund.

The Build Communities Strong Fund is a new federal infrastructure program that will invest $51 billion over the next decade in projects supporting housing, transportation, health care, education, climate resilience and other public infrastructure. The program includes funding streams for provinces and territories, municipalities and community projects, with a portion of the funding reserved for Indigenous communities.