Water Environmental Assessment

Town of Erin Urban Centre Water Servicing Class Environmental Assessment

The Project
In 2024 the Town of Erin retained Ainley Group (Ainley) to review and update the recommendations of the Erin Schedule “B” Water Class Environmental Assessment on the basis of new information, including an up-to-date understanding of proposed development within the urban Erin boundary. As a result, The Town of Erin is undertaking an Addendum to the 2020 Urban Centre Water Servicing Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA). This study is being conducted in accordance with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment document (as amended in 2024). The intent of the Addendum is to review alternative sites for the Erin-Hillsburgh Booster Pumping Station (BPS), and the Hillsburgh water storage facility, and ultimately select a preferred alternative for each. The Addendum incorporates new information, including an up-to-date understanding of proposed development within the Erin urban boundary, and associated water system requirements.

The Process
The Town of Erin is undertaking an Addendum to the 2020 Urban Centre Water Servicing Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA). This study is being conducted in accordance with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment document (as amended in 2024). The intent of the Addendum is to review alternative sites for the Erin-Hillsburgh Booster Pumping Station (BPS), and the Hillsburgh water storage facility, and ultimately select a preferred alternative for each. The Addendum incorporates new information, including an up-to-date understanding of proposed development within the urban boundary, and associated water system requirements.

Public Consultation
Public consultation is a key part of the MCEA process. The Addendum Report is available for review at erinengaged.erin.ca/urban-centre-wastewater-servicing-schedule-2020, and will be announced through a Notice of Filing of Addendum. If you would like to be included in the distribution in the Notice of Filing of Addendum, please contact a member of the project team. The Online PIC material can be found here:

Online Public Information Centre Material

Preferred Solution
The Town of Erin has undertaken an Addendum to the 2020 Urban Centre Water Servicing Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA). This study was conducted in accordance with the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment document (as amended in 2024). The Addendum incorporates new information, including an up-to-date understanding of proposed development within the urban boundary and associated water system requirements.
Alternative sites for the Hillsburgh water storage facility and the Erin-Hillsburgh Booster Pumping Station (BPS) were evaluated as part of the MCEA Phase 2 – Detailed Evaluation process. The alternatives were rated based on four criteria: technical environment, natural environment, cultural and social environment, and economic environment. The Preferred Alternative for the Hillsburgh water storage facility is “Alternative 2 In-Ground Reservoir” to be established at 5952 Trafalgar Road. Overall, Alternative 2 and Alternative 3 provide similar benefits from an operational perspective with respect to the upgrade requirements for the existing distribution system and both allow for centralization of pumping to the H-UPZ. Alternative 2 is preferred due to the reduced aesthetic impacts on the community and the flexibility of design. The use of several smaller steel tanks for Alternative 3 to mimic the cellular design options for Alternative 2 will significantly reduce the cost advantages of Alternative 3. Scalability of storage
volume will reduce operational challenges as development proceeds towards the build-out condition.
The Preferred Alternative for the Erin-Hillsburgh BPS site is Alternative 3 or Alternative 5, with the new BPS to be established at 9538 Sideroad 17 or 9565 Sideroad 17. The two sites for the Erin-Hillsburgh BPS were selected primarily due to the proximity to the future transmission main along the Elora Cataract Trail and to the future E-UPZ. Both sites offer sufficient space to establish a combined booster station for the Erin-Hillsburgh pumping requirements and pumping to the E-UPZ. Both sites have similar and manageable environmental impacts and minimal social and cultural impacts.

Project File Report for Public and Agency Review
Project related information and a copy of the Project File Report has been placed in the public record on July 24, 2025 for review and can be accessed at Urban Centre Water Servicing Schedule | Erin Engaged.

The Town plans to proceed with the design and implementation of the project pending receipt of necessary regulatory approvals and subject to comments or concerns received during the review period.

Comments
Interested persons can provide written comment on the project to either one of the following project team members. Please note that information will be collected in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments received will become part of the public record. If your require assistance accessing any of the project material, please contact either of the following project team members.