Interim Water, Wastewater & Stormwater Master Servicing Strategy (IMSS)

The final IMSS reports are available for download below. The appendices are available by email request to [email protected].

Interim Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Master Servicing Strategy

• Water 
  • Hamilton IMSS Water – Final Report(PDF, 11.69 MB)
  • Appendix A – Servicing Principles and Policies 
  • Appendix B – W&WW Systems Review & Capacity Establishment 
  • Appendix C – TM3.2 Water & Wastewater Design Criteria
  • Appendix D – TM5 Risk and Reliability review 
  • Appendix E – Costing Framework
  • Appendix F – Capital Program 
  •  
• Wastewater 
  • Hamilton IMSS Wastewater – Final Report(PDF, 21.64 MB) 
  • Appendix A – Servicing Principles and Policies 
  • Appendix B – Woodward WWTP CMT Update
  • Appendix C – Costing Framework
  • Appendix D – WW Capital Program 
  • Appendix E – TM3.2 Water & Wastewater Design Criteria 
  •  
• Stormwater 
  • Hamilton IMSS Stormwater – Final Report (PDF, 9.73 MB)
  • Appendix A – Policy
  • Appendix B – Six Cities 
  • Appendix C – Dundas
  • Appendix D – Stoney Creek 
  • Appendix E – Ancaster 
  • Appendix F – Ponds 
  • Appendix G – Overland 
  • Appendix H – Upgrades 

Supporting documents

• PW26087 - Public Works Committee - October 02, 2026 Interim Master Servicing Strategy (IMSS) Report for Water,  Wastewater and Stormwater Systems
• PWC 26-012 - Council - October 07, 2026 Public Works Committee Minutes from October 2, 2026

• Notice of Study Transition - Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Master Plans(PDF, 118.16 KB)
• Notice of PIC 1 for Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Master Plan & Strategic Transportation Network Review
• Notice of Study Commencement(PDF, 940.86 KB)

November 2025 : The Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater (W/WW/SWM) Master Plan project has been rescoped, driven by the updated No Urban Boundary (No UBE) Traffic Survey Zone (TSZ) data, which provides revised growth forecasts and density allocations. This new data reflects changes in urban development patterns in Major Transit Station Areas ( MTSA) and other high-density growth corridors. Through this process, the W/WW/SWM Master Plan project is being completed as an Interim Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater Master Servicing Strategy (IMSS) Report, which will produce similar outcomes to the original Master Plan scope but will now be completed outside of the Municipal Engineers Association (MEA) Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) process. Read the Notice of Study Transition.(PDF, 118.16 KB)

July 2022: Through the City’s Master Planning process, the City has taken an in depth look into the opportunities and constraints as well as future constraints and servicing solutions for their water, wastewater and stormwater systems. Ensuring sound approaches are used to ensure continued level of service for current and future residents to the 2051 horizon and beyond. Technical Memos relating to baseline and growth opportunities and constraints are currently being reviewed by the City and internal update workshops are planned for discussion within the next several weeks. Read the July 2022 Newsletter(PDF, 723.5 KB)

April 2022: Through the City’s Municipal Comprehensive Review process, the Ambitious Density Planning Scenario was developed and presented to Council. After extensive consultation and feedback from City Council, Stakeholders and Residents, an additional Planning Scenario named, “No Urban Boundary Expansion” was developed. At the General Issues Committee, City Council voted to proceed with its planning to accommodate future growth in a manner that does not include an expansion to the City’s urban boundary. This scenario is still subject to feedback from the Province, as such, the Master Plan Team is currently reviewing the water, wastewater and stormwater servicing needs to 2051 under both Planning Scenarios. Read the April 2022 Newsletter(PDF, 765.85 KB)

August 2021: Data was provided by the GRIDS 2 Process in June 2021 that updated the planning horizon to 2051. Project analysis and modelling based on the population projections and planning scenarios is underway. The Planning scenarios that have been identified are not yet approved by council. A Council and Committee meeting is planned for October 2021 that will identify whether an Urban Boundary Expansion is required. This decision will be based on a detailed review of the Lands Needs Assessment and public input from the distribution of a City-wide Hamilton Resident survey. The Master Plan preliminary scenario modelling and draft results will potentially be impacted by this decision. Read the August 2021 Newsletter(PDF, 266.51 KB)

October 2021: The Water, Wastewater and Stormwater (W/WW/SWM) Master Plan is being undertaken to develop a comprehensive plan for the growth-related infrastructure requirements for the City of Hamilton. The Master Plan consists of a review of growth projections, servicing policies, design criteria and completion of public consultation and servicing strategy development and evaluation under the Municipal Engineers Association (MEA) Class Environmental Assessment (EA) Master Plan Process. Data was provided by the GRIDS 2 Process in early July 2021 that updated the planning horizon to 2051 under an Ambitious Density Scenario. This scenario considers an Urban Boundary Expansion by identifying new Greenfield growth, and infill and intensification areas within the existing City core. The Ambitious Density Planning scenario that has been identified is not yet approved by Council. A Council and Committee meeting is planned for October 2021 that will identify whether an Urban Boundary Expansion is supported. This decision will be based on a detailed and comprehensive review of the Lands Needs Assessment and public input. A high-level comparative review of a No Urban Boundary Expansion growth option vs. the Ambitious Density Scenario was completed to identify potential impacts to the City’s existing and/or planned infrastructure and public service facilities. The No Urban Boundary Expansion option will focus on infill and intensification within the City’s existing boundary limits, including key areas such as the Downtown Core. The Master Plan preliminary scenario modelling, servicing strategies and draft results will potentially be impacted by this decision. Read the October 2021 Newsletter(PDF, 1.29 MB)

Public Information Centre No. 1

To view the PIC #1 materials, visit https://engage.hamilton.ca/wwsmasterplan from May 4 to May 23, 2023. Materials are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There will be a live Public Information Centre event held on May 9, 2023 from 5:30 to 8 pm. The Project Team will provide an overview presentation and will answer your questions.