Kimberley breaks ground on wastewater treatment plant

The City of Kimberley has now begun building the new wastewater treatment plant, replacing its nearly 60-year-old pollution control centre along St. Mary’s Lake Road.

On Wednesday, April 8, council members and city staff gathered at the site to mark the plant’s official start of construction.

“This project is more than just an upgrade that was needed for many years, but also an investment in our future,” said Mayor Don McCormick. “As a growing community, we now have certainty that our core infrastructure has the capacity to reliably support our growing population.”

The city is funding roughly $24.1 million into the project through borrowing and reserves, with the federal government adding more than $36 million and the province sharing over $30 million.

“By breaking ground on this project, we are taking a major step toward improving wastewater treatment and supporting a healthier community,” said Secretary of State Stephen Fuhr. 

“With this federal investment, we are helping protect the St. Mary River, safeguard the surrounding environment, and support Kimberley’s growth for many years to come.”

The project is set to modernize the community’s wastewater treatment system, improve environmental performance, and boost long-term service for the growing population, once construction is projected to be complete in the fall of 2028.