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Niagara Region excited to celebrate 150 years of the Decew Water Treatment Plant providing quality, fresh drinking water
June 4, 2026
From its humble beginnings delivering safe, reliable drinking water starting in St. Catharines in 1875, the Decew Water Treatment Plant has grown and evolved into a state-of-the-art facility that now supplies millions of litres of world-class drinking water to tens of thousands of Niagara residents every day. And that is cause for celebration.
That is why, as part of Doors Open St. Catharines on Sat., June 13, 2026, Niagara Region invites residents to celebrate this milestone anniversary of the Decew Water Treatment Plant being in operation for 150 years.
Residents will have an opportunity to explore the rich history and ongoing importance of the Decew Water Treatment Plant, which has provided safe, reliable drinking water in Niagara for generations.
Visitors can register for one of three one-hour guided walking tours and step back in time at a “mini-museum” of historical artifacts and displays open throughout the day that tells the deep story of the Decew Water Treatment Plant.
Event Details:
- Date: Sat., June 13, 2026
- Time: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Location: Decew Water Treatment Plant, 2700 Decew Rd., St. Catharines
Highlights Include:
- Opening remarks at 11 a.m.
- Guided walking tours of the plant at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Spaces are limited. Please register for your preferred time via Doors Open.
- Access to a mini museum of archives and artifacts
- Fresh drinking water available via the Region's Water Wagon
- Be a part of history by signing a commemorative guestbook that will be placed in a time capsule to be buried on site at a later date
Closed toe shoes are required for the tour. There will be parking on-site. Please avoid parking on the road, if possible. The tour requires participants to be able to climb some flights of stairs, and participants will be asked to complete a waiver upon arrival for photo permissions.
The Decew Water Treatment Plant is part and parcel of Niagara Region's extensive water-wastewater inventory that includes six water plants, 11 wastewater plants and more than 100 pumping stations. Each day, the Region delivers 160 million litres of fresh, clean drinking water and treats 197 million litres of wastewater.
Quotes
“This milestone is not only about celebrating 150 years of service, but also about recognizing the essential role the Decew Water Treatment Plant continues to play in delivering safe drinking water to Niagara Region’s residents and businesses. We are very proud of Niagara Region’s water infrastructure and the expertise and dedication of our talented staff to provide reliable, world-class drinking water to all of our communities every single day.” Phill Lambert, Director of Water-Wastewater Services
“The celebration of the Decew Water Treatment Plant is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the expertise and commitment of our staff in delivering safe, quality drinking water for Niagara residents. Niagara Region has a long and impressive history of delivering drinking water to communities incorporating the most modern technology available at the time, and continues to do so as we manage older infrastructure through a comprehensive maintenance program. I hope you can join us in celebrating 150 years of innovative delivery of drinking water.” Lisa De Angelis, Commissioner of Public Works
“The Decew Water Treatment Plant has been a cornerstone of our community for 150 years, providing generations of Niagara residents with one of life’s most essential services: safe, reliable drinking water. This anniversary is an opportunity to celebrate not only the remarkable history of this facility, but also the dedicated staff whose expertise and commitment ensure Niagara families and businesses continue to receive world-class drinking water every day. I encourage residents to join us in recognizing this important milestone and learning more about the infrastructure that helps keep our communities healthy, strong and thriving.” Barbara Greenwood, Acting Niagara Regional Chair
Media contact
Jason Misner
Senior Communications Specialist
Niagara Region
905-980-6000 ext. 3250
jason.misner@niagararegion.ca
