HAMILTON — The City of Hamilton, Ont. has officially inaugurated its Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Project.
The treatment plant is Hamilton’s main wastewater treatment facility and cleans approximately 96 per cent of Hamilton’s wastewater, stated a release. The project will reduce total phosphorus loading to Hamilton Harbour by 500 tonnes over a 10-year period.
The city said the $340-million upgrade represents a milestone in the restoration of Hamilton Harbour, a designated Area of Concern under the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
The project saw $100 million each contributed by the federal and provincial governments through the Green Infrastructure Fund, with the remainder funded through the City of Hamilton.
Projects at the Woodward plant include electrical system upgrades, a new chlorine tank, a new raw sewage pumping station and collection system control to support wet weather and flooding control.
Alberici Constructors began construction of the new Electrical Power Centre in October 2017 and the project reached substantial completion and performance in November 2022.
The main wastewater pumping stations upgrades were done by a JV of Maple Reinders Constructors and Ball Construction.
North American Construction performed the contract for tertiary treatment upgrades, the new chlorine contact tank and improvements to Red Hill Creek.
“Now, for the first time in over 100 years, wastewater will no longer be the greatest source of phosphorus to Hamilton Harbour,” stated Kristin O’Connor, co-ordinator for the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan. “This upgrade brings us closer to realizing the Remedial Action Plan vision of Hamilton Harbour being a vibrant centrepiece of our community.”
Correction: “North American” Construction is actually North America Construction (1993) Ltd. who performed the contract for tertiary treatment upgrades, the new chlorine contact tank and improvements to Red Hill Creek.