Increased water supply to New Tecumseth pushed back another two months
Posted March 9, 2026
The first significant milestone in the construction of the jointly owned water treatment plant in Collingwood, has fallen 52 days further behind since last October's project status report. And that is the delivery of increased water supply to New Tecumseth, which is contributing $170 million out of the $270 million cost to build it.
The status report notes despite the current estimated delay of 235 days, up from 183 days in October, its budget remains on track," according to the latest project status report on tonight's New Tecumseth council agenda.
"While significant progress has been achieved across key components, delays have been encountered due to challenging site conditions, Specifically: High groundwater levels and bay water infiltration during excavation of the Intake Chamber have led to unstable soil and water conditions;" and "These unforeseen conditions required additional dewatering measures, as well as grouting and injection efforts to stabilize the excavation zone."
The updated project timeline has revised date to April 12, 2030 for water capacity increase, with overall project completion pegged at January 2032, about 238 days behind schedule.
"The Contractor is exploring options to accelerate the project schedule by optimizing their concrete pour break plan/sequencing and by increasing equipment resourcing and excavation activities. As work transitions away from excavation and below-grade challenges, the project is entering a phase with more predictable conditions, allowing for improved schedule certainty and reduced risk exposure."
The bulk of residential development is frozen in New Tecumseth for lack of water, and its reverberations hit the Town's coffers as development charges proceeds fall deeper in to the negatives at a time they're needed to finance both water and sewage treatment expansion.
Last fall's report showed there are "4,639 already approved housing units that can't move forward because of servicing constraints. Of those, more than 2,300 new houses could proceed to building permit in 2025-2028 if water was not an issue."
The next status report is expected late spring.
