(file photo/northeastNOW)

By Cam Lee

Wastewater tender approved

Humboldt approves wastewater tender project

Dec 21, 2023 | 5:00 PM

The City of Humboldt has awarded the tender for their massive wastewater treatment system upgrade.

At their Special Council Meeting Dec. 18, council approved the awarding of the tender to Con-Tech General Contractors for $30,199,999 plus applicable taxes.

City Manager Joe Day told northeastNOW the current lagoon-based system was designed for a community of 6,000 people. The lagoon is at capacity with Humboldt’s recent population growth, and a new system was needed.

Day said the new system will offer more aeration, and increase the standards of water that will be released downstream.

The city is hoping to see the project substantially completed by the fall of 2025, but Day said they continue to work with the general contractor to see if that could be a reality.

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A preliminary design on a new system was done several years ago, and Day said that information was used for their grant application. The city was approved for funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP).

“40 per cent of the project cost will be funded by the Federal Government, 33 by the Provincial Government, leaving 27 per cent for us as the City of Humboldt to fund,” Day explained. “That was on a project estimated to cost $34,000,000, [but] with the rising cost of construction and some other enhancements we may have to make to some of our lift stations, we may actually exceed that number.”

Subsequently, the cost to the community may be slightly higher than the 27 per cent of the grant limit. Day said the city has been setting aside money for the last three years, but they will likely have to take out a loan to fully fund their share of the project. He added the city will likely make payments for 10 to 15 years to fully pay off their portion.

Like everyone else, the city will be paying higher interest on loans due to interest rates. According to Day, that’s one reason the city also approved an increase of water and sewer rates for residents at the Special Council Meeting.

Day said the increase on monthly bills should be about four per cent.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com