An Aecon-led consortium has been awarded an $815-million contract to complete a sewage-treatment plant upgrade in Winnipeg.

The company announced that the city has hired the consortium to upgrade the biosolids facilities at the North End Water Pollution Control Centre sewage treatment plant.

The progressive design-build contract was awarded to Red River Biosolids Partners, a consortium comprising Aecon, MWH Constructors Canada and Oscar Renda Contracting of Canada, with each partner holding a 33.3% interest. The consortium recently completed the project’s collaborative development phase. Stantec is providing design services. Aecon said its share of the contract value will be added to its Construction segment backlog in the third quarter of 2026.

Construction will now begin on new biosolids facilities and modifications to the existing infrastructure at the centre. Upgraded operations are expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2030, with final construction scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2031.

“The Winnipeg North End Sewage Treatment Plant is undergoing one of the largest water +=infrastructure upgrades in North America and this contract reflects the trust our clients place in Aecon to play an integral role in multiple stages of complex projects – harnessing decades of diverse industrial and water-infrastructure experience,” said Jean-Louis Servranckx, president and CEO of Aecon.

Thomas Clochard, the company’s executive vice-president and chief operating officer, said the completion of the development phase demonstrates the effective collaboration between Aecon, its partners and the city to advance the “critical” project that will significantly enhance efficiency and expand the plant’s operating capacity to serve growing populations.

The North End Water Pollution Control Centre is Winnipeg’s largest and oldest wastewater-treatment facility, treating about 70% of the city’s wastewater and all biosolids. The upgrades are intended to help the city meet environmental regulations, protect waterways and increase treatment capacity while supporting employment and economic growth.

Toronto-based Aecon is a construction and infrastructure development company providing services across civil, transportation, nuclear, utilities and industrial sectors, along with project development and concessions operations, across North America.

Pictured: The North End Water Pollution Control Centre sewage treatment plant.

Photo: Aecon