Lloydminster City Council has approved a $1.5-million commitment from the Water/Wastewater Services Capital Reserve to fund the design phase of major upgrades at the city’s water treatment plant. Council approved the funding during its regular meeting on Monday, Oct. 26 as administration moves forward with plans to modernize the facility and improve its long-term reliability.
Commissioned in 1984, the water treatment plant 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 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 to upgrade critical systems, including chemical feeder systems, ultraviolet disinfection equipment and the plant’s supervisory control and data acquisition system. However, administration says additional upgrades are needed to ensure the facility can continue providing a reliable water supply.
Design project focus
The design project 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 improvements, and enhancements to the river intake system.
Bi-provincial funding to date unsuccessful
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.
While the water treatment plant upgrade design was originally included in the proposed 2027 capital budget, administration brought the request to council early to better align with upcoming grant opportunities and position the project for future external funding.
