Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Guelph is receiving more than $33.4 million in federal funding to upgrade its wastewater treatment system, increase capacity and support the construction of thousands of new homes.
Construction on the new treatment facility is expected to begin in early September. The overall project is scheduled for completion by fall 2030.
Funding, announced Aug. 11 through the federal Build Communities Strong Fund, represents 40 per cent of the project’s eligible costs, which are estimated at $83.7 million.
The project will include construction of a new tertiary treatment facility at the Water Resource Recovery Centre and upgrades to the Waterloo Avenue trunk sewer.
Improvements are expected to increase wastewater treatment capacity by 24 per cent and strengthen the system’s resilience as Guelph continues to grow.
The project will also replace the city’s current chlorine-based wastewater disinfection process with ultraviolet light technology. The change will eliminate the need for chlorination and de-chlorination while maintaining treatment standards.
“Reliable wastewater infrastructure is essential to supporting a growing community,” said Tara Baker, chief administration officer for the City of Guelph. “With support from the Government of Canada, this project will deliver critical upgrades to Guelph’s tertiary treatment facilities, supporting the City’s long-term growth and environmental objectives.”
Sewer work will include upgrades to the Waterloo Avenue trunk sewer from Silvercreek Parkway to the Water Resource Recovery Centre, including the section across the Hanlon Parkway. Additional work will extend the system from Silvercreek to Edinburgh Road and include a connection to the Wellington Street Trunk Sewer through Roland Street.
Federal funding was announced by Guelph MP Dominique O’Rourke on behalf of Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson, alongside Mayor Cam Guthrie and city representatives.
“As a former Guelph city councillor and former chair of the Infrastructure, Development and Environment committee, I know how vital today’s investment in wastewater treatment infrastructure in Guelph is to prepare our city for growth,” O’Rourke said.
The project is expected to support about 4,400 new housing units across Guelph by 2031.
“By securing federal funding for critical wastewater infrastructure, we can support housing growth, strengthen system resiliency and reduce pressure on municipal funding sources,” Guthrie said.
The Build Communities Strong Fund supports infrastructure projects related to housing, economic development, transit, community infrastructure and climate adaptation.
The wastewater project is part of Guelph’s broader infrastructure investment program and supports priorities identified in the city’s Future Guelph Strategic Plan.
