Strategic Considerations for Developing a Water Master Plan

This week I'd like to bring up a very common decision that a water utility needs to make when developing a long-term water strategy. When our clients begin planning their next Water Master Plan, a key strategic decision is whether to follow the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (MCEA) process or to pursue a non-MCEA approach. This decision significantly influences the scope, consultation requirements, and implementation flexibility of the resulting plan. I have experience working on both and here are a few things that I've learned that influence the decision.

1. Following the MCEA Process

Developing a Water Master Plan under the MCEA (typically addressing Phases 1 and 2) provides several advantages:

• Regulatory Alignment: Ensures future projects have a strong foundation for environmental approvals.
• Streamlined Implementation: Facilitates classification of future projects (e.g., Schedule A or B) without repeating earlier planning steps.
• Public and Stakeholder Engagement: Builds trust and transparency with stakeholders, Indigenous communities, and the public.
• Environmental Due Diligence: Embeds sustainability and environmental protection into long-term planning.

2. Non-MCEA Approach

Some clients may choose to develop a Water Master Plan outside of the formal MCEA process. This can be beneficial when:

• The focus is on internal planning or financial forecasting rather than project approvals.
• The plan is intended to be high-level and flexible, with limited detail on project-specific infrastructure.
• Time or budget constraints limit the ability to carry out full public consultation or environmental documentation.

Of course, some of our most experienced planners will note the trade-offs in each approach. And these must be considered as well.

• Additional Work Later: Individual projects will still require MCEA assessments, potentially duplicating effort.
• Reduced Stakeholder Buy-In: Less transparency and engagement during a master planning process may lead to delays or opposition down the road.

In my view, this all depends on the level of understanding that each water utility has of their system and long-term plans. I've seen some clients develop a Water Master Plan, already with a servicing strategy in mind, and that future infrastructure development will need to be in line with the Provincial planning regulations. Others are eager to find out how new residential and commercial developments will impact their water distribution infrastructure and focus on achieving results in a timely and cost-effective fashion.

Regardless of which approach you choose, it's important to keep in mind that municipalities in Ontario are not legally required to develop a long-term master plan under the MCEA process.