On October 12, 2021, a significant milestone for the Kemptville community was marked with the groundbreaking ceremony for a new water treatment plant and municipal well in the Oxford Village subdivision. This essential project, located on County Road 43 at Somerville Road, aims to enhance North Grenville’s water capacity and improve infrastructure to service the Northwest Quadrant of the municipality.

The new water treatment plant represents a substantial investment of over $5 million in infrastructure aimed at bolstering Kemptville’s water supply. Originally planned to accommodate 3,000 homes, extensive testing has revealed that the well can actually service more than 5,000 homes, indicating a significant increase in capacity for the growing community. Gilles Brisebois, CEO of L.A. Group and co-owner of L.A. Developments Inc., noted that the water treatment plant and well would eventually be owned by the municipality and will service an area far beyond just Oxford Village.

Councillor Doreen O’Sullivan expressed her satisfaction with the project’s progression, stating, “I’m really pleased that it’s finally going forward. They’ve invested a lot of money into this, and it will provide safe, clean drinking water to Kemptville for a long time.” This new infrastructure is one of the largest municipal projects in North Grenville, funded by the private sector, showcasing a collaborative effort to improve local services.

As part of the Oxford Village subdivision development, which aims to create 398 new residences in its first phase, the water treatment plant will play a crucial role in ensuring residents have access to reliable water services. The subdivision will feature a diverse range of housing options, including 99 houses, 183 townhouses, 44 back-to-back townhomes, and 72 apartments. This diverse housing landscape will help to foster a vibrant community that caters to families of varying incomes, aligning with the long-term vision for Kemptville.

Mayor Nancy Peckford emphasized the commitment to providing a balance of nature and urban living, stating, “Oxford Village will provide an opportunity for people who want a balance of nature and urban living to find a place to call home.” The development will also include trail systems surrounding 40 acres of wetlands, further enhancing the natural beauty of the area.

With a focus on sustainability, all new homes in Oxford Village will be constructed using locally sourced materials and local labor, promoting economic growth within the Kemptville community. The goal is to create affordable, family-friendly housing that meets the diverse needs of residents.

The importance of this new water treatment plant was highlighted in the 2015 update to North Grenville’s Potable Water and Wastewater Master Plan, which identified the necessity of increasing water supply capacity to accommodate long-term growth in the area. The introduction of a new source water well, alongside the treatment facility, is a vital step in preparing for the anticipated growth in Kemptville by 2034.