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Council receives report on Raymond A. Barker Water Treatment Plan Expansion project

October 30, 2025   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

New Tecumseth Town Council received an update on the Raymond A. Barker Water Treatment Plan Expansion project during a meeting on Monday, Oct. 20.

The Town of Collingwood is responsible for the design, construction, and administration of the initial plant expansion. Project progress updates have been provided through Construction and Overall Status Reports, Joint Water Committee minutes, Quarterly Reporting Meetings minutes, and the Town of Collingwood Engage Page on a quarterly basis and as required.

The project budget expenditures are currently on track. The interim water component of the project is generally progressing on schedule and within budget.

The project is currently running behind schedule due to unknown site conditions and water infiltration.

The Town of New Tecumseth is contributing 64 per cent of the $270 million budgeted cost to expand and modernize the treatment plant, providing the necessary infrastructure to address the current housing crisis.

The report was delivered in keeping with the direction from Council on Oct. 6.

Progress update

Site dewatering is installed and fully functional. Intake No. 1 chamber is nearing completion.

The temporary industrial pump station and generator are nearing completion. Frazil piping fabrication and installation are underway in the High Lift Pump Station.

Fifty per cent of the frazil piping has been installed to date. Installation of the caisson is in progress for the Membrane Building.

High lift pumps have been identified as a critical delivery item. Interim water is anticipated to be online and operational for early July, which is generally in line with the original schedule.

Anticipated progress for the next phase includes completing the intake chamber and bypass, commissioning the IPS, continuing the installation of secant shoring for the membrane building, continuing demolition/removal of mechanical processes from the raw water building, and demolition of the existing IPS.

Delays have been encountered due to challenging site conditions. This includes high groundwater levels and bay water infiltration during excavation of the intake chamber, which have led to unstable soil and water conditions.

The next quarterly management meeting for the Raymond A. Barker Water Treatment Plant Expansion is scheduled for Jan. 21, 2026.

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