Stantec To Provide Construction Services For Carleton Place's Water And Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades

Water infrastructure improvements will address future growth needs

The Town of Carleton Place, Ontario, has officially started construction on major water and wastewater treatment plant upgrades, marking a significant milestone in the community’s infrastructure journey. Stantec, a global leader in sustainable design and engineering, will continue its long-standing partnership with the Town by providing construction services for this transformative project.

These improvements result from years of collaboration between Stantec and Carleton Place. Stantec partnered with Carleton Place to shape its future by delivering a comprehensive master plan that provides clear guidance for growth, development, and infrastructure management. Stantec subsequently delivered the detailed design for the expansion of both the water and wastewater plants, following the successful award of the project. With construction now underway, Stantec will continue to serve as a trusted partner to the Town, overseeing project execution and providing contract administration and engineering guidance to deliver these critical upgrades successfully.

The simultaneous expansion of both the water and wastewater treatment plants is a unique and ambitious undertaking. Both facilities will be significantly overhauled to relieve operational constraints and support the Town’s rapid population growth, which is projected to rise from 15,000 to 25,000 residents over the next two decades. These upgrades will also position Carleton Place to meet Ontario’s housing supply goals by enabling new residential development.

Treatment capacity increases
The wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) will see its capacity increase from 7.9 million litres per day (MLD) to 10.6 MLD on an average day, and from 22 MLD to 42.5 MLD during peak hours. The WWTP expansion design features a conversion from conventional treatment to a membrane bioreactor facility providing a robust and reliable treatment system.

The water treatment plant’s capacity will increase from 12 MLD to 19.5 MLD. Designed with its urban setting in mind, the plant’s expansion integrates seamlessly with the existing facility, optimizing space and improving operator access throughout the treatment process.

“We’re honored to support Carleton Place in this vital initiative,” said Pascal Pitre, project manager and managing leader for Stantec’s water group in Ottawa. “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 process, Stantec worked closely with Town staff and Ontario Clean Water Agency plant operators to develop upgrades that balance functionality, reliability, operability, cost, and constructability.

Historical infrastructure investment
This project represents the largest infrastructure investment in Carleton Place’s history, with a construction value of approximately C$133M. ASCO Construction Ltd. was awarded the contract following a competitive tendering process, and work is expected to continue into early 2029 for both treatment plants.

Learn more about water treatment and wastewater treatment at Stantec.