Region of Peel, Canada

What is it? The Region of Peel is the water and wastewater utility for the regional municipality of Peel in Canada. It serves over 1.1 million people in the greater Toronto area.

What has it done? Peel's 12-year US$440 million capital improvement programme to deliver two of the world's largest, most advanced water treatment plants made significant progress during 2008. The first phase of the expansion of the Lakeview water treatment plant was completed, and the design of the second phase, involving a further expansion to 440,000m3/d, continued apace. Work has also started on the retrofit and expansion of the Lorne Park WTP. Both plants are located on Lake Ontario. Peel supported its capital works programme with income from its long-term water supply agreement with the neighbouring Region of York.

Why is it shortlisted?

• The Region of Peel has set the standard for implementing advanced water treatment on a large scale. It has met the dual challenges of population growth and ageing infrastructure with an ambitious and innovative plant programme.

• Peel has consistently minimised the environmental impact of its activities on the waters of Lake Ontario.

• The Region's pioneering work on the large-scale application of integrated membrane treatment systems is already being duplicated in facilities in New Mexico, Southern California and elsewhere in Canada.