Bill 17 Recognizes Systemic Barriers and Pushes Ontario Forward
The Government of Ontario introduced Bill 17, the Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025, to address long-standing barriers that have slowed housing and infrastructure development. For decades, Ontario faced systemic delays caused by overlapping regulations, disconnected infrastructure planning, and lengthy approval processes. These challenges increased costs and created roadblocks for both municipalities and developers.
Bill 17 represents a bold step forward. By amending the Planning Act, the Development Charges Act, the Building Code Act, and the City of Toronto Act, the province has removed critical obstacles. The Act streamlines approvals, reduces development charges in some instances, and establishes predictable rules that encourage faster housing starts. It also grants the province greater authority to intervene when projects stall. The message is clear: Ontario will no longer allow outdated systems to prevent growth.
Miranda Water Technologies aligns directly with this vision. Our Miracell® Rotating Biological Contactor (RBC) wastewater treatment system and SmartCell monitoring platform provide practical tools that enable Ontario to build faster and smarter. We provide decentralized wastewater solutions that reduce delays, cut costs, and allow communities to expand sustainably.
Ontario’s Housing Crisis Requires Smarter Infrastructure
Ontario faces a pressing housing crisis. The shortage of affordable and available housing continues to grow, while municipalities struggle to provide the necessary supporting infrastructure. In many regions, developers are unable to move forward because centralized wastewater treatment plants are already at full capacity. Expanding those plants often requires years of planning and tens of millions of dollars.
The Miracell® RBC solves this challenge. Communities can install a decentralized system directly on-site, avoiding the need to wait for municipal infrastructure upgrades. Installation takes a fraction of the time needed for new trunk sewers or plant expansions. Developers can move projects forward immediately, and municipalities can meet their housing targets faster.
By pairing legislation with proven technology, Ontario can finally close the gap between housing demand and infrastructure supply. Miranda Water Technologies has already deployed more than 1,200 Miracell® systems across 40 countries worldwide. This global track record demonstrates that the technology is reliable, scalable, and ready for Ontario to adopt immediately, thereby accelerating housing and infrastructure development.
Bill 17 provides municipalities with the framework to approve these solutions efficiently. By pairing forward-looking policy with globally proven innovation, Ontario can deliver housing and infrastructure at the pace the province urgently needs.
Build Faster with Decentralized Wastewater Treatment
Bill 17 prioritizes speed. Developers and municipalities require infrastructure that can keep pace with demand. The Miracell® RBC provides exactly that. Its modular design allows rapid installation and quick scaling as projects grow.
Instead of waiting years for capacity expansions, developers can install a Miracell® system sized for the first phase of a subdivision. As more homes are built, additional capacity can be added with minimal disruption. Municipalities can approve projects with confidence, knowing they will not overload existing plants.
This flexibility enables Ontario to build housing more quickly, ensuring that infrastructure grows in lockstep with the population, rather than lagging behind.
Build Smarter with Effluent Reuse for Fire Suppression and Irrigation
Bill 17 also emphasizes smarter development. Smart building means communities make better use of resources, reduce strain on public utilities, and create more sustainable growth patterns.
The Miracell® RBC delivers advanced treatment that produces effluent clean enough for reuse in non-potable applications. Developers and municipalities can store this treated water for fire suppression or utilize it for irrigation in parks, green spaces, and agricultural purposes. This approach relieves pressure on potable water systems, which remain focused on homes, hospitals, and schools.
Communities that reuse treated wastewater gain two key advantages: enhanced fire protection and reduced demand on drinking water production. This dual benefit aligns directly with Bill 17’s goal of building more efficient, sustainable communities.
SmartCell Monitoring Technology Transforms Maintenance
Traditional wastewater treatment depends on constant on-site monitoring. Operators must check mechanical systems daily, and repairs often occur only after a failure. This model wastes time and resources.
SmartCell monitoring technology changes that model. Through integrated sensors, SmartCell tracks flow rates, water quality, and mechanical performance in real time. Operators can access data remotely from central offices or mobile devices.
SmartCell turns reactive repairs into proactive maintenance. For example, a vibration sensor on the Miracell® drive motor detects unusual oscillations that indicate a bearing is wearing out. Instead of waiting for a failure, SmartCell alerts operators early. They can schedule maintenance, order replacement parts, and prevent outages. This predictive capability saves money, reduces downtime, and ensures uninterrupted service.
Conclusion: Ontario Can Build Faster and Smarter
Bill 17 demonstrates that Ontario is committed to addressing its housing crisis. The Act recognizes systemic barriers and removes them, setting the stage for rapid approvals, predictable rules, and stronger provincial oversight.
Miranda Water Technologies is ready to help Ontario succeed. Our Miracell® RBC and SmartCell monitoring technology provide fast, deployable wastewater solutions that reduce delays and lower costs. We enable municipalities and developers to build without waiting for centralized infrastructure to be in place. We add value through the reuse of effluent for fire suppression and irrigation. We deliver proactive monitoring that prevents failures and reduces staffing burdens.
By combining forward-looking legislation, such as Bill 17, with proven technologies like Miracell® and SmartCell, Ontario can build faster, smarter, and more sustainably. Miranda Water Technologies is ready to partner with municipalities, developers, and communities to create vibrant, resilient, and environmentally responsible neighbourhoods throughout the province.