Greater Napanee council has directed staff to prepare a report on keeping local water and wastewater infrastructure publicly owned following a deputation from St. Mary Magdalene Church.
Valerie Smith addressed council during its May 26 regular meeting, asking the municipality to support the goals of the Blue Community movement. The initiative, launched by the Council of Canadians in 2009, promotes safe public drinking water and opposes the privatization of water services.
The deputation followed the Anglican Diocese of Ontario declaring itself a Blue Community earlier this year.
Smith raised concerns about Ontario’s Water and Wastewater Public Corporations Act, 2025, which allows the province to transfer municipal water and wastewater systems to corporations.
She also praised recent funding contributions from federal, provincial and municipal sources that helped keep Greater Napanee’s new Water Pollution Control Plant publicly owned.
