This Week in Durham Stories

What happens after you flush? Meet the team keeping our lake clean

Ever wonder what happens after you flush?

Most of us don’t think twice about what happens to the waste that gets flushed down the toilet—we flush it and forget it, but as Chief Maintenance Operator, Kurt thinks about it every day. For over 20 years, Kurt has been working at Duffin Creek Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) in Pickering making sure the waste in your flush doesn’t end up in the lake.

Operated as a partnership between Durham and York Regions, the plant is one of the largest...

Rooted in Durham: Cultivating our agricultural future

Farming is more than fields and barns—it’s the beating heart of Durham Region. Agriculture feeds our community and fuels our local economy.

Fueling the economy

With more farms and agricultural lands than anywhere else in the Greater Toronto Area, Durham Region is home to 1,200 farms that grow grain and oilseeds, raise livestock and produce dairy, eggs, fruits, vegetables and other specialty goods. Farming here isn’t just big—it’s a major part of our economy. As one of Ontario’s leading...

Reel growth: Building a thriving film and television industry in Durham

You wouldn’t expect a Wild West town, stately mansions and post-apocalyptic worlds to coexist—but in Durham Region, they do. With diverse landscapes, studios and strong support, Durham is one of Canada’s most sought-after filming destinations.

In 2025, Durham welcomed Copenhagen, starring Canadian actor Simu Liu and The Testaments, The Handmaids Tale spinoff to its roster. Those follow a blockbuster 2024 with 71 productions, including Reacher, Twisted Metal, The Way Home and Fubar,featuringstars such as...

Local Government Week in Durham: Services that shape your day

Ever wonder who’s responsible for what – municipal, provincial or federal? Local Government Week is the perfect time to explore how different levels of government work together to serve you. Your municipal government handles a lot more than you might think!

From October 19 to 25, we’re celebrating Local Government Week – a time to shine a spotlight on the people, services and programs that keep Durham Region running. “This week is a meaningful opportunity to recognize the essential services and...

Behind the tap: Delivering safe water to growing communities

A team fills their water bottles at a local community centre before practice. You start dinner by pouring water into a pot for spaghetti night. A student washes their hands at school. We rely on clean water every day in Durham Region – without thinking twice.

That's because behind the scenes, the Region of Durham's Works Department makes sure the municipal water supply provides safe, reliable drinking water to homes, schools and businesses across our communities.

Right from the tap

We are home to...