WWTP Project Update - July 2023

Summary of Recent Work Completed

1. Pumping upgrades
   • Removal of the existing building mechanical (HVAC) system from within the South Lift Station (SLS). Installation of the new HVAC system is ongoing.
   • Removal of the old generator for the SLS building. Conversion of the former generator room into a new electrical room is ongoing. The new exterior generator has been commissioned, and is currently providing backup power for the facility.
   • Preparation for health and safety enhancements within the facility (including improved access for City staff to the facility’s wet well). Public Works has been working closely with the City’s contractor (Maple Reinders Constructors Ltd., MRCL) on these tasks.
   • Preparation for installation of new security fencing around the SLS building and related out-buildings. The fencing will maintain public access to the existing trails in the area, while enhancing security around the City’s critical assets.
2. Treatment upgrades
   • Completed delivery of the remaining plastic Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) media, and started transferring the media into the MBBR tanks.
   • Exterior finishes for main Process Building are now complete. Interior finishes largely complete. All major process equipment is now installed within the building (valves, flow meters, chemical dosing systems, mixers, etc.), as is the building mechanical equipment (HVAC units, ceiling fans, etc.). Installation of the building’s electrical equipment and wiring nearing completion, including installation of the Motor Control Centre (MCC).
   • Construction of the MBBR tanks and lift station now largely complete, including process equipment (pumps, piping, valves, flow meter, etc.), aeration piping, and electrical / instrumentation. Permanent handrails around the structure are installed. North and east staircases installed to the top of the MBBR tanks, while shorter staircase to MBBR pump station is currently being installed. Installation of exterior cladding for the MBBR tanks is ongoing.
   • Upgrades to treatment lagoon Cells A and B nearing completion. This included removal of existing 30+ year old aeration equipment, removal of accumulated sludge, and installation of new aeration equipment. All work related to the treatment lagoon cell upgrades is expected to be complete by the end of August.
   • Temporary construction roads removed. Remaining site works ongoing (culvert installation, final grading including ditch construction, permanent internal road construction, landscaping, etc.); these tasks will be complete by the end of August.
3. Storage upgrades, including landfill clay stockpile
   • Completed the majority of hauling of clay material to a new stockpile at the Camrose Regional Sanitary Landfill. Some minor movement of clay in and out of the landfill stockpile will continue throughout 2023 until final site grading work at the main WWTP site is complete.
   • Notwithstanding the remaining site grading work at the WWTP site, all work related to the Landfill Clay Purchase project (project #1020) is now effectively complete. The remaining clay at the landfill stockpile will be used for future landfill capital projects, including the construction of a new waste transfer station, and the capping / closure of the existing landfill cells.
   • Completed final modifications to flow control structures / piping between existing storage lagoon cells. Some minor deficiency cleanup work still outstanding for treated wastewater storage Cell I.
4. Final landscaping, construction of parking lot and trail access, etc.
   • Completed construction of a new trail access / parking lot near the outdoor gun ranges / landfill entrance. Installation of fencing around the parking lot nearing completion.
   • Fabrication ongoing for a new municipal addressing sign for the main WWTP property; sign installation to follow once WWTP site works complete (grading, road construction, landscaping).
5. General requirements
   • Ongoing payments as outlined in the General Requirements portion of the contract.

Summary of Upcoming Work

Based on MRCL’s latest work plan, the following is a summary of the main activities that will occur, as well as the anticipated timelines for each activity. Administration has organized this summary using the same categories as noted above:

All work related to the Landfill Clay Purchase project is effectively complete. MRCL will continue to move clay in/out of the existing stockpile as needed for final grading at the main WWTP site.

The WWTP upgrades are planned to be substantially complete by early November 2023, with final cleanup of work being completed in the spring of 2024. The November timeframe is slightly later than what required in the City’s contract with MRCL, which specifies a Substantial Completion date of the end of October 2023. At the last Council update, Administration noted that this date was to be late November as a result of delivery delays for major pieces of electrical equipment (the Motor Control Centres or MCCs). The MCCs were delivered to site in early July, which was about two weeks prior to the latest projection. As a result, the anticipated substantial completion date has been advanced to early November.

The City and its consultant (Associated Engineering, AE) have been working closely with MRCL to minimize the impact of the MCC delivery delay. At this time, Administration does not anticipate any concerns related to the start-up / commissioning activities, or for ongoing performance of the WWTP at the end of this project.

Current Financial Status of Projects, including Approved Scope Changes

The following is a summary of the approved budgets and current / projected spending for the WWTP and landfill clay purchase projects.

As noted in the following tables, the City has spent over $39,165,000 on the WWTP project to date. The remaining WWTP project expenses will be realized by the spring of 2024.

As well, the Camrose Regional Solid Waste Authority – for which the City acts as Administrator – has spent over $1,551,000 on the Landfill Clay Purchase project to date. As this project is now substantially complete, any further invoices from MRCL or from the City’s consultant (AE) will be billed entirely to the WWTP Upgrade project.

The next planned Council update for this project will be in October 2023. Full details from this recent update to Council can be found in the July 24, 2023, Committee of the Whole Agenda.