Township floats growth solutions at water, wastewater info session
By: Wayne Doyle, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Source: BarrieToday.com
Springwater – Jul 24, 2025 – It wouldn’t be a stretch to suggest that most people don’t spend a great deal of time thinking about the water and wastewater infrastructure in their community.
In fact, it would probably be fair to say that the only times most folks think about the topic is when they turn the tap and no water comes out, or they flush the toilet and nothing happens.
For many people, their knowledge and understanding of their local water and wastewater infrastructure is limited, which makes information sessions like the one held in Springwater Township on Tuesday night so important.
Currently in the process of developing a water and wastewater master plan that will guide infrastructure delivery and service to more than 52,000 residents by 2041, the township hosted its second public information session Tuesday night at the township’s administration centre, attracting about 60 people over the course of the two-hour drop-in session.
“This master plan provides a clear direction for each of our water and wastewater systems,” Dan Eberhardt, manager of capital infrastructure delivery for Springwater, told BarrieToday during an interview at the session.
“This plan encompasses different elements and different proposals while following multiple directions with multiple different criteria to come up with a viable solution, an embedded solution for each system to ensure that we have capacity to continue to grow and to continue to not limit current people that are on water or wastewater services,” he added.
According to the township’s dedicated water and wastewater page, the master plan will:
evaluate current and future servicing needs to the year 2041
apply to areas designated as urban settlement areas, including Anten Mills, Centre Vespra, Elmvale, Hillsdale, Midhurst, Minesing, Phelpston and Snow Valley
capture servicing needs of the communities within the township, recognizing each one has its own, specific priorities, and to develop alternative solutions addressing these needs
support the township’s Official Plan and its mission of supporting development in designated areas, maintaining community characteristics and preserving natural heritage.
According to information presented Tuesday night, three communities in Springwater — Anten Mills, Minesing and Phelpston — are expected to experience minor growth, going from a combined population of about 1,500 today to just over 1,900 in 2041.
Snow Valley, which includes Centre Vespra, is expected to have intermediate growth, going from 3,800 residents today to slightly more than 8,000 in 2041.
Midhurst, Elmvale and Hillsdale are expected to shoulder the burden of the township’s future growth. Combined, the population of these three communities will grow almost five times — from slightly more than 7,800 residents presently to almost 40,000 in 2041.
While the majority of that growth will be focused on Midhurst, Eberhardt said the municipality has to plan for the big picture.
“Within the township, in all of the different settlement areas, we’re expecting growth, some more rapidly than others, some with more density than others,” Eberhardt explained. “We want to ensure we have adequate capacity to allow for the growth that is already planned.”
He said the township has looked at the constraints in its existing system and there are improvements that need to be carried out.
“We do know that we have some upgrades that we are looking to implement as part of this,” Eberhardt said. “Some are long term that we may not need to trigger until that growth starts.”
Tuesday night’s information session picked up where the first left off — the first laid out the challenge and the second provided a solution.
The next steps will involve reviewing resident feedback, creating a draft master plan, a presentation to township council, more public engagement and, finally, an approved master plan.
“Our goal is to have a master plan approved by the end of this year,” Eberhardt said.
He said the information was presented at Tuesday night’s information session will be posted to the township’s website soon so residents can review the materials at their own leisure.
When they’ve finished their review, Eberhardt said, they’re encouraged to share their thoughts and opinions with township staff.
The public has 60 days to make comments.