About the Integrated Urban Water Plan

The Integrated Urban Water Plan will support, and be informed by, the strategic vision expressed in the Official Plan Review, Vaughan Vision 2050 and Green Directions Vaughan. It will also consider updated applicable Provincial and Regional plans and policies.

One important part of the strategy is developing an Integrated Urban Water Plan Environmental Assessment (EA) study to assess existing and planned urban (city) water systems and establish a long-term strategy for water in the city. In 2014, the City completed two studies of water/wastewater and storm drainage/stormwater management, and these plans will provide a strong foundation for developing the new integrated plan.

The study

The Integrated Urban Water Plan study will evaluate servicing plans for current and future developments, such as the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, and will identify alternative solutions and sustainability initiatives. The study will also integrate current sustainability, resiliency and climate change adaptation/mitigation initiatives identified in Green Directions Vaughan and the Official Plan Review. The Plan will also take into consideration Major Transit Station Areas (MTSAs), as per York Region’s Municipal Comprehensive Review, to create new tools based on best practices.

Based on the findings of the study, the Integrated Urban Water Plan will include water, wastewater and stormwater strategies, and sustainable green initiatives. The study will identify and evaluate long-term strategies, initiatives, programs and projects to meet servicing needs for the growth and protection of Vaughan’s Natural Heritage Network.

Did you know?

York Region is responsible for providing water and wastewater services to the nine local municipalities (including the city of Vaughan), and is responsible for water transmission mains, trunk sewers, pumping stations, storage and holding tanks.

The City is responsible for stormwater systems, local water distribution and pumping, and local wastewater collection and pumping. The City’s water systems include:

• drainage collection systems, such as storm sewers, manholes and catch basins.
• stormwater management facilities, such as wet and dry ponds, hybrid wetlands, underground storage tanks, infiltration trenches/galleries and oil and grit separator units.
• natural heritage features that provide stormwater-related environment services, such as water quality improvement and water quantity regulation.

The Integrated Urban Water Plan EA study process will follow the Municipal Class EA master planning process and fulfill the Municipal Class EA requirements for all Schedule A, A+ and B projects.