Our Harbour

Woodward Upgrades Sub-Projects

Hamilton Clean Harbour Program

Woodward Wastewater
Treatment Plant Upgrades
Blue wave graphic

At $340 million, the Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades represent the largest investment within the City of Hamilton’s Clean Harbour Program. The upgrade project is a multi-phase, multi-year process that includes a number of sub-projects, each of which has its own specification and timelines. Learn more about what work is currently taking place as part of this project.

In 2008, the City completed the Woodward Avenue WWTP Service Area Environmental Study Report to determine a plan for upgrades to the Woodward WWTP to manage wet weather flows, provide treatment capacity, and meet treatment objectives defined by the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan, the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks and the Federal Environmental Protection Act.  Here is a link to a summary of the projects currently being implemented as part of this study:  Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades Project Schedule (PDF, 802 KB)

Fall 2018 Update (video)  |  Fall 2019 Update (video)  |  Fall 2020 Update (video)

Sub-Project Benefits Supporting Resources Current Status

Tertiary Treatment Upgrades, New Chlorine Contact Tank and Improvements to Red Hill Creek

Improved Effluent Quality: Addition of a tertiary treatment process to allow the Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant to meet stringent Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan targets.

Maximizes Plant Hydraulics: Dedicated discharge location into Red Hill Creek required for tertiary treated effluent, and dedicates existing outfall for increased treatment of wet-weather flows.

Red Hill Creek: Improvements, including widening, of Red Hill Creek between the new and existing outfall to convey the new tertiary treated effluent.   

Learn more about Tertiary Treatment

Tertiary Treatment BuildingTertiary Treatment Upgrades Building
Tertiary Treatment South PlantTertiary Treatment and South Plant Overview

Contractor: North American Construction Ltd.

Construction began May 2019.

The construction ofthe new Tertiary Treatment Facility is moving forward with a focus on architectural works along with mechanical and electricalinstallations. Structural elements of the new Chlorine Contact Tank are advancing.

Stage 1 of the South Plant expansion is complete and operational. Stage 2 construction is well underway. Work ismainly focused on both civil and structural elements, with mechanical and electrical works to follow.

Construction of the Red Hill Creek improvements are complete, allowing time for growth of vegetation prior to the commissioning and operation of the tertiary treatment facility.
Main Wastewater Pumping Station Upgrades

Increased Capacity: Meet future wet-weather capacity needs of 1700 MLD.

Improved Conveyance: Larger and deeper wet well to mitigate system flooding, provide increased system storage and reduce solids buildup during dry weather flows.

Improved Maintenance: Split wet well design allowing for half of the wet well to be taken off-line for maintenance, while pumping station remains in operation.

Main Pumping StationMain Pumping Station

Main Pumping Station Old and NewMain Pumping Station old and new

Full size Pumping Station Architectural Renderings (PDF, 403 KB)

Video: Take a Tour - 3D Wet Well - Fly Through

Contractor: Maple Reinders Constructors Ltd./Ball Construction Ltd. joint venture

Construction began May 2017.

Construction of the Electrical Upgrades project is nearing completion.The focusis nowon transferring both the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant facilities from the old electrical system onto the new system along with associated testing and commissioning activities.
Electrical and Chlorination System Upgrades

Replace Aging Assets: Reduce risk by replacing critical assets at the end of their useful life.

Increased Standby Power: Provide sufficient standby power to all essential loads.

Energy Efficiencies: Maximize energy efficiencies wherever possible.

Electrical Power Centre Electrical Upgrades - Contract 2 RenderingsElectrical Power Centre Upgrades

Full size Electrical Architectural Renderings (PDF, 315 KB)

Contractor: Alberici Constructors, Ltd.

Construction began October 2017.

With construction of the new Electrical Power Centre complete, focus is now on commissioning activities including the electrical switchgear, power generators, and commissioning of the electrical distribution system.