Collaborating on a Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant Project

January 23, 2026 – Members from Russell Township and The Nation Municipality were in Toronto this week to attend the 2026 Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) Conference, Ontario’s annual gathering of rural municipal leaders. During the conference, representatives from both municipalities participated in three delegation meetings with provincial ministries to advance a joint proposal for a new regional wastewater treatment plant that would service both communities.

Municipal representatives met with the Honourable Lisa M. Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs; Amarjot Sandhu, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Infrastructure; and the Honourable Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, to present the proposed project and discuss next steps.

The Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant project responds to sustained and rapid population growth in both municipalities. Over the next 20 years, populations in Russell Township and The Nation Municipality are projected to increase by approximately 50%. Existing wastewater lagoon systems in Embrun and Limoges are expected to reach capacity by 2032, creating a significant risk of service limitations if action is not taken.

Inter-municipal collaboration is essential to developing scalable and resilient infrastructure that supports long-term, sustainable growth. A regional approach offers several key benefits, including enhanced environmental protection, improved cost efficiency, sustainable development opportunities, and greater infrastructure resilience. The municipalities are seeking provincial financial and planning support to ensure the project can move forward and deliver lasting benefits to residents in a timely manner.

“Russell Township is growing, and our residents expect us to plan and manage that growth responsibly. This is a regional infrastructure challenge that requires a regional solution. By working collaboratively with The Nation, we are demonstrating leadership and accountability through a fiscally responsible approach that protects quality of life and ensures essential infrastructure is delivered in a thoughtful, sustainable way for our communities,” said Mike Tarnowski, Mayor of Russell Township.

“We are pleased to be working alongside Russell Township on a shared vision for the future. Both municipalities face similar growth pressures and are striving toward the same objective of ensuring our infrastructure can support continued development in a responsible and efficient way. By choosing to work together rather than in silos, we are creating opportunities to reduce costs, share resources, and explore innovative solutions. This collaborative approach reflects a modern way for rural municipalities to work, one that maximizes public investment and positions our communities for sustainable growth,” said Francis Brière, Mayor of The Nation Municipality.

The proposed Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant project was also featured in a one-hour broadcast aired on local television and now available on the municipalities’ YouTube channels. The program provides additional background on the project, highlights the need for regional collaboration, and explains how the initiative will support sustainable growth in both municipalities. A link to the broadcast is available on our YouTube Page.

Both municipalities remain committed to working together and with provincial partners to plan infrastructure that meets current needs while preparing for future growth.

Photo 1 caption (left to right): Mario Zanth, Warden of the United Counties of Prescott and Russell; MPP Stéphane Sarrazin; Russell Township Mayor Mike Tarnowski; the Honourable Lisa M. Thompson, Minister of Rural Affairs; The Nation Municipality Mayor Francis Brière; and Steve Pinsonneault, Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Rural Affairs.

Photo 2 caption (left to right): MPP Stéphane Sarrazin; Amarjot Sandhu, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Infrastructure; Russell Township Mayor Mike Tarnowski; The Nation Municipality Councillors Daniel Boisvenue and Marjorie Drolet.

Photo 3 caption (left to right): MPP Stéphane Sarrazin; Russell Township Mayor Mike Tarnowski; the Honourable Todd McCarthy, Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks; The Nation Municipality CAO Pierre Leroux; and Russell Township CAO Richard Godin.