Over the next five years, Hamilton’s Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant will receive $340 million in upgrades. The first project under this multi-year, multi-phase initiative officially kicked off this morning with a tour at the construction site for the new Raw Sewage Pumping Station.
Hamilton Mayor, Fred Eisenberger, welcomed Filomena Tassi, Member of Parliament for Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas; Bob Bratina, Member of Parliament for Hamilton East-Stoney Creek; and Ted McMeekin, Ontario Member of Provincial Parliament for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale, special guests from the Bay Area Restoration Council, and City of Hamilton staff, for a celebratory tour of the new construction site.
“I’m excited that work has now begun on Hamilton’s Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant, resulting in reliable and efficient wastewater collection and treatment and a healthier environment,” said Minister Tassi on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.
Hamilton Harbour was identified as a Great Lakes Area of Concern in 1987 as a result of degraded water quality and environmental health. Currently, there are a number of ongoing projects designed to have a direct impact on the health of the local environment, specifically water quality, including the upgrades to the Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The upgrade project is funded under the Green Infrastructure Fund with $100 million from the Government of Canada and $100 million from the Ontario government. The balance is funded through the City of Hamilton’s capital budget. The Raw Sewage Pumping Station will be a joint venture between Maple Reinders and Ball Constructors calling themselves Maple/Ball. Each of the other sub projects is tendered separately and have not yet been awarded.
“Our government is committed to partnering with municipalities to improve infrastructure that will help Ontarians in their everyday lives. Investing in projects like the Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant will help keep our community strong, create jobs, and improve water quality in the Hamilton Harbour,” said MP McMeekin.
The Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade will be ongoing until approximately 2022 and will include:
- New Raw Sewage Pumping Station
- New energy centre/electrical upgrades
- The addition of a tertiary level of treatment
- New chlorine contact tank
- Upgrades to the Red Hill Creek outfall
- Upgrades to the collection system
The Raw Sewage Pumping Station project will cost approximately $90 million and will also have increased capacity for wet weather, helping to avoid the discharge of treated wastewater into Hamilton Harbour. The current pumping station is designed to pump 1300 ML/d (megalitres per day). The new pumping station will be designed to pump approximately 1,700 ML/d.
“I am pleased to see the construction work at the Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant has begun. This partnership between the City and the federal and provincial governments is important in our journey to transform Hamilton Harbour, ensure it is delisted as an Area of Concern, and continue to improve water quality and the environment around our waterfront,” said Mayor Eisenberger.
