en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Municipality of Clarington, Ontario, Canada, has announced the upcoming launch of a stormwater outfall upgrade project on Hetherington Drive, located within the Bowmanville Valley Conservation Area. The project aims to upgrade the stormwater management system, protect Bowmanville Creek, and support future community development.

Partial funding for the project comes from the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund under the Ontario government's Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, which has allocated $509,118 CAD for the initiative.

Clarington Mayor Adrian Foster stated that upgrading the stormwater system will allow cleaner water to flow into Bowmanville Creek, benefiting wildlife, anglers, and all who enjoy visiting the Bowmanville Valley. He also noted that Clarington boasts some of the most beautiful green spaces in the Greater Toronto Area, thanked the provincial government for its support in conservation efforts, and emphasized that improving the stormwater outfall is an effective environmental measure to address runoff issues arising from community development.

Originally built in 1972, the stormwater outfall will undergo a major upgrade to improve water quality and the health of the local ecosystem. Key improvements include: installing a new oil grit separator to filter pollutants such as oil, grit, and debris; and enhancing the existing outfall swale structure to slow stormwater flow and increase natural filtration, thereby reducing pollutant levels before the water enters Bowmanville Creek. In addition to the stormwater system upgrade, the Region of Durham plans to relocate approximately 20 meters of water main along Hetherington Drive to ensure the long-term stability of the water supply system.

Todd McCarthy, Ontario's Associate Minister of Infrastructure and Member of Provincial Parliament for Durham, stated that investing in local infrastructure is part of the provincial government's plan to protect Ontario, drive growth, create jobs, and strengthen communities. This stormwater improvement project is part of the government's nearly $4 billion CAD Municipal Housing Infrastructure Program, aimed at helping communities build over 1,000 housing units while maintaining a clean environment in Bowmanville Creek.