New wastewater treatment plants in St. Paul and Vermilion creates 208 jobs

Upgrades totalling $35 million to two wastewater treatment plants were completed with financial support from the Government of Alberta’s Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership.

Alberta’s Recovery Plan is creating immediate jobs and building communities for bigger and brighter futures. The upgrades to wastewater treatment plants in Vermilion and St. Paul created 208 jobs in the communities.

“Construction on St. Paul’s wastewater plant kept the local economy moving during the COVID-19 pandemic,” David Hanson, MLA for Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul said. “Now that the project is finished, the plant will make our community more attractive to investors and employers looking to relocate.”

The Alberta Municipal Water/Wastewater Partnership is a cost-shared grant program. In addition to provincial funding, the projects were completed with financial support from the municipalities and Government of Canada.

• The Government of Alberta contributed:
  • $3.4 million to the Vermilion project
  • $3.3 million to the St. Paul project
• The Government of Canada contributed:
  • $8 million to the Vermilion project
  • $5.5 million to the St. Paul project
• Vermilion contributed $7.5 million
• St. Paul contributed $7.3 million

“Alberta Transportation’s contribution to the St. Paul upgrades and the Vermilion project will extend the life cycle of the treatment plants by 25 years,” Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Transportation said. “As Alberta’s Recovery Plan takes hold, it’s important to make sure our core infrastructure is sound, up-to-date and able to meet the needs of residents today and into the future.”

The two projects created 208 jobs, 113 in Vermillion and 95 in St. Paul.

“We are very proud of our new facility and very thankful for the grant money we received from the municipal water and wastewater program,” Maureen Miller, mayor, Town of St. Paul said. “Alberta’s government made it possible for us to meet and exceed environmental standards and to leave a legacy our community can be proud of.”

Both plants were upgraded to meet today’s environmental standards and have capacity for future growth in the communities.

“We are excited to commission our state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility, which has been funded collaboratively by the federal, provincial and municipal governments,” Caroline McAuley, mayor, Town of Vermilion said. “This plant will service the needs of the Town of Vermilion while protecting our environment for many years to come.”

Construction began in Vermilion in 2018, and in St. Paul in 2019.

“Vermilion’s new wastewater plant was built on time and on budget. As part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan, this investment has created well-paying jobs and got Albertans back to work in our region,” Garth Rowswell, MLA for Vermilion-Lloydminster-Wainwright said. “This critical facility will serve the community for generations to come.”

Arthur@lakelandconnect.thedev.ca