The Ontario government has passed Bill 60, the Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025, which includes the Water and Waste Water Public Corporations Act—legislation that creates the legal framework for private corporations to own and operate water and wastewater systems in the province.The new law establishes the statutory authority for private companies to take control of municipal water infrastructure, operate treatment facilities, and set consumer water rates. This represents a fundamental restructuring of water service delivery in Ontario, shifting from the longstanding model of municipal public utilities to a framework that permits corporate ownership and operation of water systems.For municipal water authorities, this legislation introduces significant uncertainty regarding operational control and long-term planning. The Act provides the legal mechanism for transferring water system management from municipal governments to private corporations, though implementation details including which municipalities may be affected, transition timelines, and the criteria for privatization decisions have not been publicly disclosed. Municipal water authorities should note that this legislation follows Bill 56, which already transferred decision-making authority over local water systems from municipalities to the provincial minister, removing local autonomy over water infrastructure decisions.Equipment manufacturers and suppliers serving the water and wastewater sector should be aware that privatization typically alters procurement processes, maintenance protocols, and capital investment priorities. Private operators often implement different equipment specifications, vendor relationships, and operational standards compared to municipal utilities. The shift to corporate ownership may create new business opportunities while also changing established purchasing relationships and technical requirements that municipal water authorities have historically maintained. (ICE TORONTO)

Fonte notizia: https://www.cpecn.com/