FAQs

The Regional Municipality of Durham (Durham Region) owns and operates the Whitby WSP. With significant population growth planned in Durham Region, additional water supply is required to meet growth needs. 

The goal is to ensure the water supply continues to meet the community's needs in a cost efficient and environmentally sound way, while also providing clean and safe drinking water to citizens.

The upgrade and expansion of the Whitby WSP is necessary to meet the demands of a growing population. The goal is to ensure the plant continues to meet treatment requirements, while protecting the environment and community.  

The Whitby WSP is broken into multiple contracts, the design for the main WSP expansion contract (Contract 4) is estimated to be completed and tendered by late 2029.

The Whitby WSP is located on the shores of Lake Ontario, west of Brock Street South, at 301 Water Street South, in Whitby, Ontario.

The Whitby WSP takes water from Lake Ontario and treats the water through chemical and physical treatment. The treatment processes remove any biological, organic or inorganic matter from the water, before pumping the clean water to residents through the distribution system.

For further information on water treatment at the Whitby WSP please refer to:
About Water - Region of Durham.

The expansion of the Whitby Water Supply Plant (WSP) is financed by development charges, which are fees collected from new developments in the area. Durham has allocated funds for this project in its approved budget as part of the Annual Business Plans. The funding for an expansion project like this, is different from routine upgrades to maintain existing facilities, including the Whitby WSP and other Regional water supply plants. Routine upgrades are covered by user fees and would not be included in the Whitby WSP expansion project.

There may be short-term impacts during construction associated with noise, dust, visual obstructions, increased traffic and/or detours, and limited access to certain parts of the trail near the construction area.

Throughout the design and construction phases, the Project Team will consider and select design concepts and mitigation measures to minimize construction impacts to the nearby area while also providing safe, reliable drinking water for residents. 

If you wish to receive project notices during the expansion project, please notify the Project Team by email at whitbywspproject@durham.ca to be added to the contact list.

For more information, to direct a question to the project team or to be added to the mailing list for the Whitby Water Supply Plan expansion project, please email whitbywspproject@durham.ca.