(Peter Bergquist/Submitted)

By Cam Lee

Wastewater update

Massive wastewater treatment system upgrade in Humboldt nearing completion

Aug 26, 2025 | 2:12 PM

A major project in Humboldt is inching closer to its finish.

Council heard a report about the Wastewater Treatment System Construction from the Director of Public Works and Utilities Peter Bergquist at Monday night’s meeting.

“The finish line is now in sight, which is a relief for our staff, and we’re excited to start the commissioning at some point here before winter starts,” Bergquist told northeastNOW.

He said the city is essentially creating an entirely new wastewater system. There are four large lagoon cells and six smaller cells that do ammonia treatment.

“Between that and upgrading two sewage lift stations, it’s about a $40 million project,” explained Bergquist.

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Some good news came recently with notice that the city received an additional grant of just over $2 million from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP). Bergquist called the grant a significant contribution from the provincial and federal governments.

(Peter Bergquist/Submitted)

The extensive project began back in 2020 and Bergquist said it should wrap up by the end of the year. After the new system is up and running, the city will stop using the old lagoon system.

“We should be treating by the end of this year, so hopefully by spring of 2026 we start releasing through the new system.”

Bergquist said the quality of effluent will be excellent under the new system, which will also allow Humboldt to expand its population before any capacity issues would occur.

“It allows for significant expansion into the future, and it improves our environmental footprint as well,” Bergquist said.

The decision to upgrade the city’s wastewater system was necessary as the old system was near its capacity, unable to handle the population expansion expected in the community over the coming years.

(Peter Bergquist/Submitted)

The city is currently filling the first cell with wastewater from the old lagoon system. Bergquist said the rest of the cells will be filled soon.

As mentioned, the entire project costs about $40 million. Approximately $27 million of that cost is covered through provincial and federal grants, with $13 million to be paid by current and future utility ratepayers of Humboldt.

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cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com