City Council has approved the implementation strategy for the Wrenford Healthy Waters Plan, setting a clear path to protect the Tamsin River and modernize our water infrastructure. The decision was made during the regular Council meeting on March 23, 2025, at Wrenford City Hall.
As our city grows, you need reliable water and sewer systems that can handle more rain and serve more homes. Council recently approved a $45 million investment over the next four years to upgrade our aging pipes and drainage systems. This work will directly reduce pollution from combined sewer overflows and rainwater runoff into the Tamsin River and Corvid Creek.
The Healthy Waters Plan focuses on three main goals: renewing our aging infrastructure, supporting sustainable growth, and adapting to climate change. A big part of the plan relies on nature-based solutions. We will build green rainwater infrastructure—like rain gardens, permeable pavements, and bioswales—alongside traditional pipes. These green features capture rainwater closer to where it falls, which reduces the volume of water that can overwhelm our system during heavy storms.
"Our city is built by the river, and protecting the Tamsin River is a promise we keep to our residents," says Mayor Danielle Okafor-Price. "By investing in both traditional pipes and green infrastructure, we are building a water system that protects our environment, supports our growth, and keeps our neighbourhoods safe from flooding. This plan puts Wrenford on the path to long-term resilience."
The strategy also outlines how the City will work with Tamsin Valley Public Health and the Tamsin Valley Conservation Authority to monitor water quality and manage floodplains. Residents can expect more public information sessions this summer as crews begin pilot projects in the Riverside Flats and Benchlands neighbourhoods.
In the meantime, you can help by avoiding the disposal of fats, oils, and grease down the drain, and by using the Waste Wizard to sort recycling correctly. These small steps keep our sewers clear and our waterways healthy under the Water and Wastewater By-law 2017-090.
The full implementation strategy, including the four-year budget breakdown and project timeline, is available on the Water & Wastewater page. For more information on how we test and report water quality, visit Water quality reports and monitoring.