The Town of Carleton Place, Ontario, has started construction on major upgrades to its water and wastewater treatment plants, marking a significant step forward in the community’s long-term infrastructure planning. Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, will support delivery by providing construction services for the multi-year programme.
The project builds on an established partnership between Stantec and Carleton Place. The firm previously developed a comprehensive master plan that guides future growth and infrastructure needs, followed by the detailed design for the expansion of both treatment plants. With construction now underway, Stantec will continue to support the Town through contract administration, on-site engineering input, and oversight throughout delivery.
Supporting Growth and Housing Needs
The simultaneous expansion of the water and wastewater treatment plants is considered an ambitious undertaking for the Town. The upgrades will relieve current operational constraints and support population growth, with the community expected to expand from 15,000 to 25,000 residents over the next 20 years. Increasing treatment capacity will also help Carleton Place meet Ontario’s housing supply objectives by enabling new residential development.
Increased Treatment Capacity
The wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) will see its average-day capacity increase from 7.9 million litres per day (MLD) to 10.6 MLD, with peak capacity rising from 22 MLD to 42.5 MLD. The expansion includes a transition from conventional treatment processes to a membrane bioreactor system, improving operational robustness and treatment performance.
The water treatment plant will increase capacity from 12 MLD to 19.5 MLD. The plant’s design carefully considers its urban location, with the expansion integrated into the existing layout to optimise space and enhance operator access throughout the facility.
Pascal Pitre, Project Manager and Managing Leader for Stantec’s water group in Ottawa, said: “We’re honoured to support Carleton Place in this vital initiative. As a full-service firm, we bring the momentum and experience needed to manage complex infrastructure projects, helping communities like Carleton Place grow sustainably while protecting public health and the environment.”
Throughout the design phase, Stantec collaborated with Town staff and operators from the Ontario Clean Water Agency to ensure the upgrades balance functionality, reliability, operability, cost, and constructability.
Largest Infrastructure Investment in Town History
The water and wastewater treatment plant expansions represent the largest infrastructure investment ever undertaken in Carleton Place, with a construction value of approximately C$133 million. ASCO Construction Ltd. was awarded the contract following a competitive tender process. Work on both sites is expected to continue into early 2029.
