Feb 04, 2026 • Last updated Feb 04, 2026 • 6 minute read
City of Pembroke, Township of Laurentian Valley, Township of Whitewater, Town of Renfrew, and Township of Bonnechere Valley staff and councillors celebrate with Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault following the announcement of $38.6 million in funding for upgrades to water systems in the five municipalities. The announcement was made at the Pembroke Water Treatment Plant on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. Photo by ANTHONY DIXON /Pembroke Observer and News
The Ontario government is putting more than $38.6 million towards upgrading water and wastewater infrastructure in Pembroke, Laurentian Valley, Whitewater Region, Renfrew and Bonnechere Valley. Municipal officials say this funding will help fix old systems while also supporting both current and future residential development across the area.
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The funding was announced on Tuesday, Feb. 3 at the Pembroke Water Treatment Plant by Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault and is being delivered through the province’s Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program’s Health and Safety Water Stream. The program aims to assist municipalities in maintaining and upgrading essential water infrastructure related to public health, safety and housing growth.
During the announcement, Denault highlighted how vital water and wastewater systems are for local communities and their role in promoting growth.
“In my previous life, prior to being an MPP, I was a municipal councillor, as many of you know, and during that time it became clear to me how important any municipality’s water, wastewater infrastructure is and their full suite of services that they provide,” Denault said. “Many of these assets are in need of renewal and they are absolutely critical to the province’s goal of getting more shovels in the ground and more homes built across Ontario.”
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Denault shared a total investment figure of $38,680,354 for projects throughout the riding. Pembroke will receive the largest portion at $28,733,256 for its Quarry Road Reservoir Expansion and Trunk Water Main Project. Whitewater Region will get $4,032,212 for improvements at the Cobden Water Treatment Plant; Renfrew will receive $890,600 for updates to dual media high-rate gravity filters at its plant; while Bonnechere Valley gets $5,033,286 for upgrades along John Street, Highway 41 and Queen Street.
“These investments are critical to maintaining existing infrastructure; unlocking opportunities for growth; ensuring our communities stay affordable; especially when it comes to something we rely on every single day-clean safe drinking water,” Denault said.
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Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MPP Billy Denault announces $38.6 million from the province for water system improvements in Pembroke, Laurentian Valley, Whitewater Region, Renfrew, and Bonnechere Valley at th Pmbro Wter Treant n t Ontbu Foeau Oteiein Fnbure. Photo by ANTHONY DIXON /Pembrokë Observer an Cl News
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