Ontario Construction News staff writer
The federal government is putting over $30 million into upgrading Ottawa’s main wastewater treatment facility to boost its electrical reliability and support future community expansion.
Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester MP Mona Fortier and Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe shared the announcement of the $30,560,000 investment on Monday (Aug. 24) for the Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre (ROPEC). This funding comes from the Direct Delivery stream of the new Build Communities Strong Fund.
This infrastructure project will enable the city to revamp the plant’s electrical distribution systems, including essential upgrades to its current cogeneration plant. These improvements will ensure that there’s enough power to keep sewage treatment operations running smoothly during extended power outages.
As per City of Ottawa data, ROPEC is situated on Green Creek Drive and handles wastewater treatment for over 90 percent of the city’s population. While processing wastewater, the facility generates biogas that powers its cogeneration plant, which currently meets about half of ROPEC’s yearly energy needs.
The electrical upgrades will also prepare the facility for any future enhancements or expansions needed to accommodate Ottawa’s growing population.
“The Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre is one of Ottawa’s most important pieces of infrastructure,” Sutcliffe said in a news release. “It protects public health, supports new housing, and helps keep the Ottawa River clean. This investment will make the plant more reliable during extended power outages, strengthen its resilience to extreme weather, and ensure it can keep pace with Ottawa’s growth.”
Fortier mentioned that this project would create jobs for Canadian workers while focusing on local supply chains.
“By prioritizing Canadian materials, content, and suppliers, this investment will directly support the Canadian economy, strengthen local supply chains, and ensure that economic benefits are felt by Canadian businesses and communities across the country,” Fortier stated.
The Build Communities Strong Fund is a $51-billion federal initiative delivering infrastructure funding through three streams starting in fiscal year 2026-27. The Direct Delivery stream comprises $6 billion over ten years, with $1 billion specifically allocated for a Local Impact Stream managed by regional development agencies.
The federal project funding remains conditional upon signing a contribution agreement and meeting any environmental assessment and Indigenous consultation requirements.
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