Overhauling aging infrastructure without disruption through phased construction

Carleton Place - Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades

The Town of Carlton Place needed major updates to its water and wastewater treatment plants. Building on a long-standing partnership, the Town engaged us to lead the original master plan which identified the need for expanded capacity for the treatment plants, followed by the detailed design of both facilities.

Construction phasing was critical—most systems had to stay online throughout the work. Our design focused on maintaining operations running while building for the future. To expand the capacity of the wastewater treatment plant, upgrades include a shift to a membrane bioreactor system. Three new buildings are being added—a new headworks facility with fine drum screening, a new membrane bioreactor building with ultraviolet (UV) treatment, and a rotary drum screen facility for advanced sludge. Existing clarifiers and storm tanks will be repurposed to support continuous treatment and reduce biosolids hauling.

Due to the tight urban site, we proposed a single new building for the water treatment plant (WTP) that integrates with the existing facility which would improve access and operator flow. The WTP expansion includes mechanical screens, low lift pumps, dual media filters, UV reactors, a new clearwell, and chemical dosing systems. A second story adds electrical equipment and a third flocculation tank.

With these upgrades to their water and wastewater treatment facilities, the Town will be able to relieve operational constraints, reduce vulnerability, and support future growth.