Delivering a more efficient wastewater treatment plant for better environmental outcomes 

With a construction value of approximately $3 billion, the City of Winnipeg’s North End Wastewater Treatment Plant is the largest water sector progressive design-build project in Canada. AECOM Canada has been a critical delivery partner since the projects inception in 2016 when we were retained as Owner’s Advocate.  

In 2016, the Winnipeg Sewage Treatment Program (WSTP, City of Winnipeg with Veolia) launched an ambitious project to upgrade the North End Wastewater Treatment Plant to reduce environmental impact, support civic growth, and replace aging infrastructure. AECOM Canada has been a proud partner from the start, providing technical guidance, procurement support, and program management as the Owner’s Advocate, and working closely with the WSTP to shape the project.   

This multifaceted program includes a new headworks facility, biological nutrient removal facility, primary clarifier scum dewatering, upgraded ultraviolet disinfection, and new solids treatment, including thermophilic digestion. It also includes a new standby power generation system and upgrades to the plant-wide control system. 

Overcoming challenges through deep collaboration 

To meet the project’s challenges, the City assessed each phase of work to select the best delivery method. The last two major phases of the NEWPCC program are being delivered through a progressive design-build model that integrates contractors into the design process. This approach allows the WSTP, AECOM, and development partners to collaboratively develop the 60% design and facilitates quick, informed decision-making. For example, when high inflation, increased tariffs, and market uncertainty caused biosolids facilities’ costs to exceed project budgets, the team adapted by shifting from a thermophilic hydrolysis process to thermophilic digestion to bring the cost estimate back within budget while still meeting project goals. 

Responding to market conditions to achieve success  

Winnipeg is a prairie city with a population of 850,000 and a strong engineering and construction sector. However, the size and complexity of this project required careful planning of our contracting approach. The project was divided into three distinct packages to match market conditions. Separating the work into the Power Supply and Headworks Facilities, the Biosolids Facilities, and the Nutrient Removal Facilities enables a staged approach to design and construction while avoiding market oversaturation. Designers and contractors can focus on their area of expertise and scale their workforce accordingly.  

Engineering environmental sustainability 

The upgraded facility will reduce the environmental impact of wastewater treatment, meet new effluent nutrient limits for phosphorous and nitrogen and provide Class A biosolids. The upgrade will improve reliability by replacing aging infrastructure while maintaining the operation of the existing facilities. AECOM Canada is proud to deliver a more sustainable future for the City of Winnipeg. 

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