Notice of Study Completion: Norwich Wastewater Treatment Plant capacity expansion

Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Study

Oxford County has identified the need to increase capacity of the Norwich Wastewater Treatment Plant to service existing needs and future projected population and employment growth to 2046 in the Village of Norwich.

About the study

In response to approved future growth in the Village of Norwich and associated projected increases in Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) flow rates, Oxford County is undertaking a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) Study for capacity expansion of the Norwich WWTP.

More specifically, the purpose of the study is to comprehensively develop, evaluate and select a preferred long-term wastewater servicing solution and design alternative to service existing needs and future projected population and employment growth to 2046.

The Study is being carried out in accordance with the planning and design process for Schedule C projects as outlined in the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (2023), approved under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act.

Public comment period

An Environmental Study Report (ESR) summarizing the Class EA Study process and findings have been posted for a 30-day comment period starting May 9, 2025. The study document is available on the Oxford County website and on Speak Up, Oxford! at www.speakup.oxfordcounty.ca/norwich-wwtp

Interested persons may provide written comments by mail or email regarding the ESR between May 9, 2025, and June 8, 2025, to:

Harry Goossens, P.Eng.
Project Manager, Oxford County
519-539-9800 ext. 3028
hgoossens@oxfordcounty.ca

In the event that there are outstanding concerns, a request may be made to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) under Section 16 of the Environmental Assessment Act requiring a higher level of study (i.e., requiring an individual/comprehensive EA approval before being able to proceed), or that conditions be imposed (e.g., require further studies), only on the grounds that the requested order may prevent, mitigate, or remedy adverse impacts on constitutionally protected Aboriginal and treaty rights.

Requests on other grounds will not be considered. Requests should include the requester contact information and full name for the Ministry. The request should be sent in writing by mail or email to:

Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
777 Bay Street, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON M7A 2J3
minister.mecp@ontario.ca

And:

Director, Environmental Assessment Branch
Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks
135 St. Clair Ave. W, 1st Floor, Toronto, ON M4V 1P5
EABDirector@ontario.ca

Information will be collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

This notice first issued on May 9, 2025