Ontario Investing $1,378,504 for Critical Water Infrastructure in the Township of Selwyn
Funding will support housing, jobs and economic growth
Today, MPP Dave Smith announced the Ontario government is investing up to $1,378,504 to rehabilitate water infrastructure in the Township of Selwyn the funding comes from the province’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Health and Safety Water Stream (MHIP-HSWS), which has increased by $700 million for a total of $875 million to support access to safe drinking water, housing, job creation and protection for communities in the event of extreme weather events.
"This investment of over $1.3 million is a critical step in ensuring the long-term safety and reliability of water services for the residents of Lakefield. By rehabilitating the George Street watermain and trunk sewer, we are not only addressing aging infrastructure but also creating the capacity needed to support new housing and economic growth in Selwyn. Our government remains committed to providing our municipal partners with the tools they need to build stronger, more resilient communities."
The MHIP-HSWS funding will be used in the Village of Lakefield to rehabilitate the George Street Watermain and Trunk Sewer. The project will upgrade key drinking water and wastewater infrastructure to improve capacity, reliability, and long-term performance. The project includes installing new sanitary sewer to support future housing growth and replacing a section of aging watermain to increase water flow, improve fire protection, and strengthen system reliability. Construction is anticipated to begin in Spring 2026 and will include excavation, pipe replacement, service reconnections, and full roadway restoration to ensure safe, dependable water and wastewater services for the community.
“This funding represents a major investment in the long-term sustainability and livability of our community. By modernizing critical infrastructure along the George Street corridor, we are proactively addressing capacity challenges, strengthening system resilience, and ensuring Lakefield is well positioned to support planned growth. Projects like this protect public health, enhance service reliability, and demonstrate our commitment to responsible infrastructure planning for current and future residents.”
This funding is part of a historic investment of $4 billion in the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP), included in Ontario’s $220 billion capital plan, the most ambitious in the province’s history, to build transit, highways, hospitals, schools and water infrastructure that enables new housing.
“As we continue to navigate economic uncertainty and unwarranted U.S. tariffs, our government is protecting Ontario by investing in critical infrastructure that drives growth, creates jobs and strengthens communities. Through our historic $4 billion Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, we are giving municipalities and First Nations the tools they need to get shovels in the ground and build stronger communities. Our investments will deliver more homes, modernize aging water systems and lay the foundation for long-term prosperity across Ontario.”
Quick Facts
- In August 2025, Ontario increased the MHIP to $4 billion to speed up construction of homes and core infrastructure, such as roads and water systems. Since its launch in 2024, the MHIP has made about 800,000 more new homes possible.
- The MHIP is comprised of four funding streams: the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF), the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing (HECS) Stream, the Health and Safety Water Stream (HSWS) and the Agriculture and Irrigation Stream.
- In January 2025, Ontario announced an initial investment of $175 million to launch the HSWS.
Additional Resources
- Ontario Investing $1.6 Billion in Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program
- Ontario Getting Homes and Infrastructure Built Faster and Smarter
- Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program
- Health and Safety Water Stream
Office of Dave Smith,
MPP Peterborough-Kawartha
705-742-3777
dave.smithco@pc.ola.org