Halifax Water reported that 93% of its wastewater treatment facilities complied with their approval permits in FY 2025/26, below its 95% target and down from 96.6% in FY 2022/23.
From 2 of 15 to all 14, and back below target
In 2007, when the utility took over wastewater from the municipality, 2 of 15 facilities were compliant. By 2019, Halifax Water said all 14 facilities complied, the first time since the transfer. The figure was 95% in FY 2023/24 before slipping to 93%.
The biggest long-term need
The 2019 Integrated Resource Plan found wastewater had the highest average expenditure need of the three systems, C$76 million a year over 30 years. The proposed 2025/26 to 2029/30 capital plan allocates C$555.9 million to wastewater. In FY 2025/26 the Halifax facility treated 31,351,934 cubic meters and the Dartmouth facility 15,688,700.
Mill Cove and the growth charge
For the Mill Cove Wastewater Treatment Facility expansion and upgrade, Halifax Water ran a market sounding on delivery and procurement models from July 14 to August 18, 2026. Separately, its regional development charge application proposes raising the single-unit wastewater charge from C$6,126.84 to C$22,388 and the water charge from C$1,921.82 to C$14,417. The regulator's hearing starts on December 7, 2026.
How the wastewater system fits with Halifax Water's two-lake water supply, its governance under the provincial regulator and its C$1.36 billion five-year capital plan are examined in the full report. The full report, Water Systems Overview: Halifax Water, is available for USD 499. For a free overview, read the Halifax Water Utility Snapshot.