‘Absolute need to act’: Lethbridge’s wastewater treatment plant in need of critical upgrades

The City of Lethbridge's community issues committee has received a report highlighting challenges faced by its aging wastewater treatment plant.

Critical infrastructure upgrades are needed to maintain and expand Lethbridge’s wastewater treatment plant, a new report says.

The City of Lethbridge’s asset management plan for the treatment plan highlights the need for upgrades to keep the plant safe and reliable while supporting future community growth.

“The wastewater treatment plant is one of the most important services we provide, but the facility is under real strain,” said Joel Sanchez, director of infrastructure services at the City of Lethbridge.

“Many systems are old, and we no longer have backup options if something breaks. That puts the community at risk.”

The report found that critical treatment processes, including the UV disinfection, gravity belt thickener and electrical building, are in “very poor condition” and need replacing.

It also found there is no back-up system to support the aging infrastructure.

“If there is a failure, there isn’t a back-up system to keep things running,” said Mitch Stevenson, who is Lethbridge’s financial planning and budget manager.

“This puts us in a vulnerable position operationally and limits our ability to do maintenance safely.”

The report shows the treatment plant has an average flow engineered design capacity of 40 megalitres per day in recent years. That system is now overworked, with average flows exceeding 100 per cent of engineered design capacity.

“Without that expansion, we have run into limits in development and economic growth,” Stevenson said.

The asset management plan estimates upgrades and expansion will cost between $250 million and $350 million.

The report suggests water rate increases would be needed to support those costs.

“I won’t give any promises that everything is perfect, unfortunately, there is always a chance,” said City Manager Lloyd Brierley.

“We’re doing everything we can at this point in time to ensure there is nothing imitate or that happens tonight or tomorrow, but there is an absolute need to act and to act as quickly as possible.”

To address the need, the report recommends a three-phased approach.

The first phase focuses on expanding capacity 60 megalitres per day. Deliberations for that phase will begin when council starts considering the 2027-2036 capital improvement plan.

Phase two includes lifecycle renewal or replacement of existing assets not directly associated with the capacity expansion, based on condition, criticality and remaining useful life.

The final phase is geared towards long-term growth subject to long-term demand.

“This plan gives us a clear picture of what needs to happen,” Sanchez said.

“The costs are significant. However, the risks of doing nothing are even greater. We need to protect public health, the environment and the reliability of our wastewater system.”

The wastewater treatment plant was last expanded in 1989.

The city’s administration will provide financial details and potential rate options at city community issues committee on May 13.