Designing more capacity at the Lethbridge Water Treatment Plant

Provincial funds are supporting plans to increase capacity at the Lethbridge Water Treatment Plant. Detailed design work will help prepare for much-needed upgrades at the plant.

On peak days, water treatment demands exceed 90 per cent of the current design capacity. The plant can currently treat up to 150 million litres per day (MLD). The expansion will increase maximum capacity to 180 MLD. The design project will also provide preliminary engineering services for a future increase to 250 MLD. This simultaneous approach will help to ensure the smooth and uninterrupted operation of the plant during future construction and is expected to result in fewer delays and cost overruns.

“The expansion will allow us to meet projected water demand during the next five years and beyond,” says Mayor Blaine Hyggen. “It’s necessary to support the City’s long-term residential and commercial growth. Increasing our water treatment capacity is essential to Lethbridge remaining a driver of regional economic growth.”

The province is funding the $2.8 million cost through the Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) program. The ACP aims to improve the viability and long-term sustainability of municipalities.

“As Alberta’s population increases, including communities like Lethbridge, it is important that public infrastructure meets the demands of a growing population,” says Ric McIver, Minister of Municipal Affairs. “The Alberta Community Partnership (ACP) is helping to meet this need, and I’m pleased that Lethbridge will be able to increase capacity at their water treatment plant as a result.”

“I am proud to see Alberta’s government invest in upgrades for the Lethbridge Water Treatment Plant,” says Nathan Neudorf, Minister of Affordability and Utilities and MLA for Lethbridge-East. “This funding will help ensure our community has the water it needs, supporting residents and our local economy without the need for additional costs to ratepayers.”

The planned upgrades will enhance treatment reliability and ensure Lethbridge residents continue to receive high-quality water. The increased capacity will also help meet the high and growing demands of the agri-food sector.

“Reliable access to clean drinking water and effective wastewater services is essential to supporting our growing communities and promoting economic development across the province,” says Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors. “This investment is part of our government’s commitment to enabling increased water treatment and distribution for residential, industrial and agricultural use, improving quality of life for Albertans and supporting our economy.”

The benefits of the project stretch beyond the Lethbridge city limits. Twenty per cent of Lethbridge’s treated water supplies regional communities including Lethbridge County, Coaldale, Coalhurst, Monarch, Diamond City, Picture Butte, Iron Springs and Turin.

The comprehensive design phase is expected to be complete in 2025. 

“We’re grateful the province is funding this detailed design work,” says Hyggen. “This is a crucial first step to increasing plant capacity to 180 million litres per day. This project remains a top priority for Council, and we’re eager to explore more funding opportunities to enable us to move into the construction phase.”