Highland Creek Treatment Plant

The Highland Creek Treatment Plant is located on 54 hectares of land at 51 Beechgrove Drive in Scarborough’s West Hill neighbourhood. Since opening in 1956, the plant has provided wastewater treatment services for Toronto’s east end.

The plant serves about 490,000 people and can treat up to 219 million litres of wastewater each day.

The plant provides complete wastewater treatment, which includes:

  • removing solid debris
  • removing organics (human waste)
  • reducing nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus
  • disinfecting water to destroy harmful pathogens

Learn more about how we collect and treat wastewater.

Highland Creek Treatment Plant is undergoing one of the largest wastewater infrastructure programs in Toronto. Major projects include:

  • improving aging facilities
  • upgrading treatment processes
  • preparing the plant to serve a growing population by building a new Northeast Plant that will add 110 million litres per day of treatment capacity

Several projects are scheduled through 2033, representing a long-term investment in protecting public health and Lake Ontario.

Odours or unpleasant smells near wastewater treatment plants are common and typically short-lived. Local and major sewers can also cause similar temporary odours. Weather conditions, including wind direction, temperature and humidity can make normal treatment-related odours more noticeable at times.

Report a smell or odour from a wastewater treatment plant

Report an unpleasant smell or odour that you suspect is coming from a wastewater treatment plant.

All odour complaints are taken seriously and will be investigated by staff. Identifying the source can be complex, as conditions may change between the time an odour is reported and when staff are able to complete a site investigation.
Date modified: July 8, 2026