Water Pollution Control Facility Upgrades

About the Project

Protecting the environment and our future

A major upgrade to Portage la Prairie’s Water Pollution Control Facility (WPCF) is required to meet new provincial and federal water quality standards. The upgrade must reduce nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous) discharged to the Assiniboine River in a province-wide effort to reduce harmful algae blooms on Lake Winnipeg that are negatively impacting one of our nation’s largest lakes, and adversely affecting water quality in Manitoba.

Beyond the required nutrient reduction that improves and protects water quality, our City will ensure that the upgrades also result in other benefits to the environment and our community, including eliminating odour emissions, strengthening local economic activity and supporting local trades and technical expertise. The project also addresses a needed overall renewal of the facility, which is mostly over 25 years old.

Funding for the project is being provided through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Manitoba government will provide more than $61 million; the Government of Canada is providing more than $60 million; and the City of Portage la Prairie is responsible for the remaining capital expense and operating costs. The City’s capital funding will be financed through its selected operating partner.

The City is currently in negotiations with the Province of Manitoba and the local industries to ensure the project can be financed over the long term.

The next stage will invite three pre-qualified proponents; Plenary/PCL Environmental Infrastructure; Portage Water Solutions (Sacyr/SNC Lavalin/Ledcor); and EPCOR Water Resource Partners to submit comprehensive project proposals by early to mid 2026. Construction is expected to begin in 2026 and be substantially completed by December 31, 2029.

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Portage la Prairie.