The City of St. John’s, in partnership with federal, provincial, and municipal governments, is moving forward with upgrades to the Riverhead Wastewater Treatment Facility (RHWWTF) to enhance primary water treatment capacity and prepare for a future secondary treatment facility.

Work at this stage will allow the facility to move one step closer to meeting the federal standards of the Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations, which set national standards for how wastewater must be treated before being released into the environment.

This important project will also ensure that residents of St. John’s will receive better wastewater treatment, support cleaner waterways, and have the infrastructure in place to support the building of more homes.

This collaborative investment represents a historic milestone for the city, marking what will become the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken by the City of St. John’s, strengthening our economy and supporting local contractors and skilled trades.

Funding

Phase 1 of the project has been funded at $139.2M (HST excluded). The Federal Government is investing $69,639,116 (50%) in this project through the National and Regional Projects program of the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Fund. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and municipal governments will both contribute $34,819,558 (25% each). The City of St. John’s will cover 81% of the municipal costs, which is approximately $28 million, while the City of Mount Pearl will cover 14% and the Town of Paradise 5%.

Scope

Phase 1 of the Riverhead Wastewater Treatment Facility (RHWWTF) project includes the following key milestones:

1. Procurement of a Prime Consultant (Multi-Discipline Engineering Team).
2. Design and installation of primary infrastructure upgrades to support the secondary expansion.
3. Design of the secondary treatment plant.
4. Design of the civil and geotechnical site works.
5. Construction of a pad ready site and reinstatement of a trucking road to provide access to the highway. The site works include mass excavation, blasting and rock stabilization.

Phase 2 of the project will involve constructing the secondary treatment facility, pending future funding.

Timelines

This is a long-term, multi-phase project, and timelines may be adjusted to reflect operational requirements, regulatory approvals, procurement processes, and construction considerations.

Phase 1 is expected to span approximately five years, including two years for procurement and design, followed by roughly three years of construction.

Residents will be kept informed throughout the project as schedules are refined and potential impacts are identified.

Impacts

The City recognizes that construction work may cause disruption for residents in the surrounding area. We are committed to minimizing impacts wherever possible, providing regular project updates, and proactively communicating upcoming construction activities and potential effects. As part of this effort, the City will engage with various interested parties to ensure they receive timely and relevant information throughout the project.

This project page will allow residents and interested parties to learn more about the project, track updates and progress, and ask questions.