City outlines upgrade needs at Wastewater Treatment Plant

Aging infrastructure and rising demand are putting pressure on the City of Lethbridge’s Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). That was the message delivered to the Community Issues Committee (CIC) on Thursday.

The City has completed an Asset Management Plan for the WWTP. The plan highlights the level of investment needed to keep the plant safe, reliable and able to support future community growth.

The WWTP was last expanded in 1989. Many parts of the plant are now at or past their expected service life. Several key systems are in poor or very poor condition. These issues increase the risk of equipment failure and service disruption. They also make it harder for the City to meet regulatory standards.

The plant is designed to treat 50 million litres of wastewater per day. It already operates at or above that level during normal conditions because the incoming wastewater is so strong. This limits the City’s ability to support new homes, businesses and industrial development.

“The Wastewater Treatment Plant is one of the most important services we provide, but the facility is under real strain,” says Joel Sanchez, Director of Infrastructure Services “Many systems are old, and we no longer have backup options if something breaks. That puts the community at risk.”

The Asset Management Plan estimates that upgrades and expansion will cost between $250 million and $350 million.

“This reflects the size of the plant and the complexity of the work required,” says Mitch Stevenson, Financial Planning and Budget Manager.

“This plan gives us a clear picture of what needs to happen,” Sanchez says. “The costs are significant. However, the risks of doing nothing are even greater. We need to protect public health, the environment and the reliability of our wastewater system.”

The Asset Management Plan was received by the Committee as information. The next phase will focus on identifying funding options for the required upgrades to ensure the plant will serve the community for decades to come. Administration will present these options, including detailed design of the expansion and possible rate impacts, at the May 13 CIC meeting. This discussion will be part of the 2027–2036 Capital Improvement Plan workshop.

Updates on future WWTP upgrades and expansions can be found on the Get Involved Lethbridge page.

For Public Inquiries:
Call or chat 311 | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.