Upgrades totaling $35 million to two wastewater treatment plants were completed with financial support from the Government of Alberta, Canada's municipal water/wastewater partnership.

Alberta’s recovery plan is creating immediate jobs and building communities for bigger and brighter futures. The upgrades to wastewater treatment plants in Vermilion and St. Paul created 208 jobs in the communities.

“Alberta Transportation’s contribution to the St. Paul upgrades and the Vermilion project will extend the life cycle of the treatment plants by 25 years. As Alberta’s recovery plan takes hold, it’s important to make sure our core infrastructure is sound, up-to-date and able to meet the needs of residents today and into the future,” says Minister of Transportation Rajan Sawhney.

Garth Rowswell, MLA for Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright, says Vermilion’s new wastewater plant was built on time and on budget. “As part of Alberta’s recovery plan, this investment has created well-paying jobs and got Albertans back to work in our region. This critical facility will serve the community for generations to come.”

David Hanson, MLA for Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul says construction on St. Paul’s wastewater plant kept the local economy moving during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Now that the project is finished, the plant will make our community more attractive to investors and employers looking to relocate.”

Both plants were upgraded to meet today’s environmental standards and have capacity for future growth in the communities.

“We are excited to commission our state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility, which has been funded collaboratively by the federal, provincial and municipal governments. This plant will service the needs of the Town of Vermilion while protecting our environment for many years to come,” says Caroline McAuley, mayor, Town of Vermilion

“We are very proud of our new facility and very thankful for the grant money we received from the municipal water and wastewater program. Alberta’s government made it possible for us to meet and exceed environmental standards and to leave a legacy our community can be proud of,” says Maureen Miller, mayor of the Town of St. Paul.

In addition to provincial funding, the projects were completed with financial support from the municipalities and Government of Canada. Click here for more information about Alberta’s Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership.