The governments of Ontario and Canada have inked a bilateral agreement that allocate more than $1.1 billion in combined funding available under the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF).

The federal government is providing up to 50% of the funding, or nearly $570 million, for projects while the provincial government will invest almost $270 million. Municipalities, First Nations and local services boards will cover the remaining costs.

Municipalities will also be able to apply their Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) formula grants toward the municipal contribution for these projects. Ontario recently announced it will triple OCIF funding to $300 million per year by 2018-19.

Initially, 41 projects have received approval. Among them are: new landmass around the current Essroc Quay in Toronto that will stabilize the area shoreline under flood conditions. In Barrie, aging water mains will be replaced and new sanitary and storm water services will be developed. Brampton will see retrofit work done on ponds to enhance water quality and control erosion. There will be upgrades to the main water line and the construction of a new storm water treatment plant in Sudbury. The Hespeler wastewater treatment plant in Guelph will also see improvements.

A complete list of the 41 projects is HERE.