Kimberley Wastewater Treatment Plant
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; 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 on Engage Kimberley. In early 2025, the project team will host a community Open House to share updates.
Proposed Design and Location
Description and Rationale for Proposed Changes
The City of Kimberley is proposing significant modifications to the design and location of the proposed WWTP to enhance both cost efficiency and environmental sustainability. The proposed plant design will more closely meet original budget approvals and is a significant improvement for future capacity expansion, operational efficiency, and minimizing impacts to surrounding properties. The proposed AGS process is a proven method for effective wastewater treatment.
Cost Savings:
The revised design and location aims to address the projected $40 million budget overrun by optimizing construction, process methods, and minimizing the challenges of relocating away from the existing site. By proposing to build the plant closer to the existing facility, we are reducing the need for extensive new infrastructure, which helps control overall costs. These adjustments will support the goal of staying within the original budget while maximizing the use of available grant funding.
Environmental Benefits:
The proposed design prioritizes ecological stewardship by minimizing land disturbance and protecting surrounding natural habitats. The updated location is strategically chosen to reduce potential impacts on local ecosystems and to facilitate efficient operations. The plant will mitigate odours to surrounding properties and will meet or exceed regulations on effluent quality.
Visuals:
To provide a clear understanding of the changes, once available, we will share side-by-side comparison maps highlighting the original and revised locations, as well as facility renderings showcasing the updated design features.
Project Timeline
The Kimberley WWTP project follows the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) method, which involves collaborative planning and decision-making throughout each stage. The following outlines the current and future stages for the project.
Pre-Validation Phase
Status: Complete (as of November 2024)
- Purpose: Set up project team and define project scope.
- Actions: Initial planning, team assembly, and outline of project goals. Seek approvals for project changes.
- Expected Outcome: Clear, agreed-upon direction for new design, process, location, budget, and schedule. Request for approval of changes delivered to governing bodies.
Validation Phase
Status: Current
- Purpose: Confirm design, budget, and project schedule.
- Actions: Review and progress the design, ensure the budget aligns with project goals, and solidify the construction timeline.
- Expected Outcome: Agreed-upon design, budget, and schedule. Approval of design from governing bodies.
Construction Phase
Status: Future
- Purpose: Construct the new wastewater treatment plant.
- Actions: Actual construction of the facility, including all infrastructure, systems, and components required for the plant.
- Expected Outcome: New plant is built, tested, and ready for commissioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What changes are being made to the wastewater treatment plant project and why?
The City of Kimberley is proposing to revise the design, process, and location of the wastewater treatment plant to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure compliance with environmental standards. Originally, the plant was proposed as a FCR (Food Chain Reactor) process, but now the city is proposing to use the AGS (Activated Granular Sludge) process instead (see below for more details). This change will offer similar benefits while also being better suited for future capacity expansion. Additionally, the new design and location will help better align the project to the previously approved budget, with the goal of avoiding the $40 million cost increase that was projected with the original plan.
What is the AGS method for processing wastewater?
The Aerobic Granular Sludge (AGS) process is a biological wastewater treatment method that uses microorganisms to break down organic contaminants in wastewater. The AGS process is considered sustainable and economical because it can handle toxic compounds and load swings, and it can treat for carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus at the same time.
How will these changes affect the project timeline?
While these adjustments may slightly impact the timeline, the City is committed to minimizing delays and will provide regular updates on the project's progress through our website and other communication channels. Construction is expected to begin in Spring/Summer 2025, with the project still on track for completion in Spring 2028.
Is the project still within budget?
The original design cannot be constructed within the original budget. The project team is reasonably confident that a redesigned plant will allow the project to be completed within the original budget.
Have the grant funders approved the project changes, and is the funding secure?
The City is currently working with the granting agency through a formal change request process to secure approval for the revised project design. If approved, approximately $66.5 million in grant funding will be allocated to support the new plant design, including the updated process and location. Funder approval will ensure that the project remains fully funded as it moves forward.
What are the long-term benefits of this project for the community?
The upgraded wastewater treatment plant will improve effluent water quality, support environmental sustainability, and contribute to the overall health and safety of Kimberley, ensuring reliable wastewater management for years to come. These benefits are also important for all communities downstream of Kimberley.
Community Consultation
Have a question?
Head over to Engage Kimberley to ask us a question about this project.
Contact
Shane Castle, Wastewater Treatment Plant Project Manager
Email: scastle@kimberley.ca
Phone: 250-427-5311