Champlain, September 10, 2025- The Ontario government is investing in water infrastructure in the Township of Champlain to support its long-term growth and development. This funding, provided through the province's Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund (HEWSF), a stream of the Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program (MHIP)., will enable essential upgrades to the sanitary sewer system in the village of L'Orignal.
By rehabilitating infrastructure originally installed in the 1970s, the township will be able to reduce long-term maintenance costs, improve the network's resilience to extreme weather events and extend the life of its system. The technology chosen—pipe lining—will avoid costly and disruptive excavations in the heart of the village, while providing significant benefits for residents. This method has already been successfully applied by Champlain in certain areas of Vankleek Hill.
“This project is an important investment in the health and safety of L’Orignal residents. It will
reduce water infiltration and inflow into the sanitary sewage system while extending the life of
existing infrastructure. Furthermore, this initiative will strengthen the system’s resiliency against
climate change and the severe weather events experienced in recent years. The reduced
demand on the system will also support future growth in the community and is expected to lower
operational costs,” declared Mayor Normand Riopel.
The MHIP is part of the government’s plan to protect Ontario and includes historic investments in housing and community-enabling infrastructure that will help municipalities deliver the core infrastructure needed, such as roads and water systems, to lay the foundation for new homes in communities across the province.
Thanks to this funding, the Township of Champlain is continuing to modernise its essential infrastructure to ensure harmonious, safe and sustainable development for the benefit of its citizens, both today and for generations to come.
Left to right: Kevin Tessier (CAO), Councillor Michel Lalonde (Ward 2, L'Orignal), Mayor Normand Riopel, MPP Stéphane Sarrazin, Maxime Lafrance (Director of Public Works), Councillor André Roy (Ward 2, L'Orignal).