The Town of Georgina welcomes an announcement by the Province of Ontario that it is committing $24 million over the next three years for the Holland Marsh Phosphorous Recycling Facility project. The federal government has already committed $16 million towards the estimated $40 million project.
“This is wonderful news from the province. This is an important project for the health of Lake Simcoe. We must make improvements for the sake of the lake’s ecosystem and as a source of drinking water,” said Mayor Margaret Quirk. “I want to acknowledge and thank Ward 3 Councillor Dave Neeson for his hard work on this issue. His commitment to moving this project forward has been instrumental in getting to this point.”
On Sept. 15, 2021, Council endorsed a resolution brought by Councillor Neeson calling on York Region, the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario to work collaboratively to move the Holland Marsh Polder Phosphorous Recycling Facility forward. It also called on the province to support funding of the facility’s construction.
According to York Region, the new Holland Marsh Phosphorus Recycling Facility aims to reduce phosphorus runoff from the wastewater treatment process by up to 40 per cent, removing approximately five tonnes per year. The facility is anticipated to be built on the Holland River between Bradford and King. An exact location has yet to be determined.
For more information on what the province is doing to protect Lake Simcoe, visit ontario.ca.