Lloydminster City Council has approved a $1.5-million commitment to fund the design phase of major upgrades at the city’s water treatment plant, a first step toward a larger multi-year project affecting water users on both sides of the Border City.
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Council approved the funding from the Water/Wastewater Services Capital Reserve during its regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 26. Administration is now moving forward with plans to modernize the facility and improve its long-term reliability.
Aging plant nears end of useful life
The water treatment plant was commissioned in 1984 and supplies potable water to Lloydminster and neighbouring communities through agreements with Alberta Central East Corporation and SaskWater. The facility currently serves a population of more than 35,000 people.
A 2025 assessment found several key components are original to the plant and are nearing or have already reached the end of their useful life, with some equipment becoming obsolete and increasingly difficult to maintain. The city has already invested approximately $4.7 million in recent years on upgrades, including chemical feeder systems, ultraviolet disinfection equipment and the plant’s supervisory control and data acquisition system, part of a broader push to replace aging water infrastructure across the city.
Administration says additional upgrades are still needed to ensure the facility can keep providing a reliable water supply. The new design work follows other recent efforts to shore up older systems, including a project to rehabilitate a 40-year-old water clarifier at the plant.
What the design project covers
The design phase will focus on replacing aging infrastructure and preparing the plant for future capacity expansion. Planned work includes electrical system upgrades, process and building mechanical improvements, architectural upgrades such as roof and building envelope repairs, and enhancements to the river intake system.
Grant applications unsuccessful so far
Administration said it has applied unsuccessfully for funding from both the Alberta and Saskatchewan governments. Feedback from grant providers indicated the city could improve its chances of securing future funding by advancing the project to the detailed design stage before reapplying, echoing an approach the city has pursued on other infrastructure files that have sought provincial dollars.
The water treatment plant upgrade design was originally slated for the proposed 2027 capital budget, but administration brought the request to council early to better align with upcoming grant opportunities and position the project for future external funding.
What’s next for the project
No timeline has been released for completion of the design phase or for construction of the larger upgrade project. Council is expected to receive further updates as the design work progresses and as additional grant opportunities arise.
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