Former Hospital Lands Water Servicing Solution Environmental Assessment
The Municipality of Central Elgin (Central Elgin) is undertaking a Schedule B Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) to identify the preferred long-term water servicing solution for the former St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital Lands, including a trunk watermain connection to the Elgin Area Primary Water Supply System (EAPWSS), a new water storage facility, and a booster pumping station. The assignment is being advanced in response to the planned redevelopment of the Hospital Lands and the need to provide reliable domestic supply, fire flow, equalization storage, emergency storage, and long-term system redundancy for this major growth area.
While the primary purpose of this project is to provide water servicing to the Hospital Lands, the MCEA will evaluate opportunities to connect the proposed system to the existing water distribution system that services Union and Port Stanley. The proposed connection can improve redundancy and operational flexibility within Central Elgin’s broader water distribution system and:
- Reduce the need for additional booster pumping;
- Increase fire protection in the existing distribution network;
- Provide additional storage to meet future needs; and
- Provide additional capacity to accommodate future growth.
Additionally, the MCEA will consider opportunities to provide water servicing to the Township of Southwold via the proposed trunk watermain, subject to coordination regarding Southwold’s future demands, operation conditions and implementation considerations. This connection would provide a broader benefit as well as providing a cost-sharing partner to Central Elgin.
The study will be completed in accordance with the requirements of the MCEA document for a Schedule B project, as amended in 2007, 2011, 2015, 2023, and 2024. The study will review existing conditions, evaluate the need for additional water servicing, identify and evaluate a range of alternative solutions, and recommend a Preferred Solution that balances technical, environmental and economic considerations.
We’d like to hear from you!
Public consultation is an important part of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) process. Opportunities for public review and input will be provided throughout the study.
Project information and opportunities for public input will be provided through a Public Information Centre (PIC), currently anticipated for Spring 2027. Members of the public will also have an opportunity to review and comment on the Project File Report. Details regarding these consultation opportunities will be provided through future notices and posted on this project website.
Comments and feedback received throughout the study will help inform the evaluation of alternatives and the development of the preferred solution. If you would like more information on this study, or wish to be added to the project contact list to receive future notices and updates, please contact the project team.