On December 4th, 2023, it was announced that the City of Kimberley would build a new wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) after confirmation of combined investment commitments of more than $90.6 million from federal, provincial, and municipal governments.

The new plant is intended to replace the aging Pollution Control Centre, which was built in 1967. Once complete, the new plant will provide Kimberley with high-quality, reliable wastewater treatment that minimizes potential environmental impact on the St. Mary's River and communities downstream.

Project Update - December 2024

Since the announcement of grant funding approval, the City has been preparing to build the WWTP. During early planning, the project team reviewed the original design to update costing and ensure that it continued to align with the needs of the community. During this exercise, it was identified that the original proposed plant would result in an estimated $40 million budget overrun and that the proposed location would limit the plants expandability to support future growth in the community. In response, city staff and the project team are proposing to revise the plant design, treatment process, and location to support the goal of staying within the approved funding from federal, provincial, and municipal sources. These changes reflect the City’s commitment to sustainable wastewater management while meeting the growing needs of our community.

Key Facts

• Total Project Budget: $90.6 million
• Funding Sources: Federal and Provincial Government grants, and City of Kimberley borrowing and reserves; the City is actively engaging with funding agencies to secure approval for reallocating grant funding to support the necessary design changes.
• Original Design and Location: Based on the Food Chain Reactor (FCR) process; located at 302nd Avenue; project estimated to exceed budget by $40 million and limits future expansion.
• Proposed Revised Design and Location: Based on the Aerobic Granular Sludge (AGS) process; revised location near the existing plant to optimize efficiency, reduce costs, allow for growth and ensure compliance with environmental safety standards.
• The City is committed to continuing engagement with local First Nations communities throughout this process to address environmental, cultural, and land-related concerns.
• Community Engagement: The City welcomes questions related to this project below. In early 2025, the project team will host a community Open House to share updates.

You can find more information about this project on our website at www.kimberley.ca.

If you have a question, please ask us below.

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