Town of Penetanguishene moves forward with Ontario Clean Water Agency for Water and Wastewater operations
Penetanguishene, ON – To protect the long‑term reliability of essential services and support safe, compliant water and wastewater operations, Council has approved a new operational model that will see Ontario Clean Water Agency (OCWA) operate and manage the Town’s water and wastewater systems.
The decision follows a comprehensive operational review that began in fall 2025 in response to ongoing labour challenges across the water and wastewater sector and the need to strengthen service delivery over the long term. Council carefully evaluated available options using criteria that included customer service, regulatory compliance, environmental stewardship, financial sustainability, and overall operational risk.
“Safe drinking water and effective wastewater treatment are critical to the health and quality of life in our community,” said Mayor Doug Rawson. “This decision ensures those services remain strong and resilient, while positioning the Town to best meet future regulatory and operational demands.”
What this means for residents
Under the approved operational model, OCWA will be responsible for the day‑to‑day operations, maintenance, and management of the Town’s water and wastewater treatment facilities. This will include, all well facilities, water distribution system, wastewater treatment plants and pumping stations. Ownership of all infrastructure and local oversight will remain with the Town. Residents can expect uninterrupted service delivery throughout the transition.
The operational review determined that OCWA’s service model strengthens resilience by providing access to a larger pool of licensed operators, specialized technical expertise, and system redundancy, while maintaining strong compliance with provincial regulations. Council also considered both short and long‑term financial impacts, with a continued focus on sustainability and minimizing impacts to taxpayers.
A focused approach to supporting Town employees
Supporting existing Town staff and maintaining continuity of employment was a central consideration throughout Council’s decision‑making process. As part of the transition, the Town will work closely with OCWA to facilitate Employee Transfer Agreements, which are designed to support a seamless transition of operations while recognizing employees’ experience and service.
Through these agreements, employees will be offered continued employment with immediate access to benefits, recognition of existing vacation entitlements, and the transfer of applicable pension contributions.
“Our water and wastewater operators are highly skilled professionals with deep knowledge of our systems and our community,” said Jeff Lees, Chief Administrative Officer. “This approach allows us to support our workforce, retain critical expertise, and ensure continuity of service for residents.”
For more information about the Water and Wastewater Operational Review, visit www.penetanguishene.ca.