Critical upgrades to Wastewater Treatment Plant could cost $285 million

Less than 24 hours after Lethbridge City Council made their decision on the future of integrated emergency services, the Community Issues Committee considered the looming risks behind the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

During their meeting Wednesday morning, they voted unanimously to recommend moving forward with critical upgrades to the plant, which is aging, at capacity and could soon be at risk of failure. It’s been recommended that the plant expands by an additional 50% capacity, which counts for 20 million litres per day of flow.

It’s expected the construction cost could reach $285 million, funded primarily through borrowings and reserves. While Lethbridge currently holds some of the lowest wastewater rates in the province, the upgrades would mean an annual wastewater rate increase of 18.05% from 2027 – 2030.

Construction is expected to begin as soon as this fall, pending council approval.