New Spadina Lift Station is complete and fully operating

A significant piece of Saskatoon infrastructure that would have required extensive modifications to continue operating has been replaced. Construction on a new Spadina Lift Station and force main, which moves approximately 60 per cent of Saskatoon’s wastewater from the sanitary sewer system to the H. McIvor Weir Waste Water Treatment Plant, has wrapped up and has been in service for about three months. 

“The decision to construct a new lift station instead of modifying the existing one, which was built in the 1940s as a sewage disposal facility and repurposed as a lift station in the 1970s, made the most sense,” said Russ Munro, Director of Saskatoon Water. “The risk in modifying the old structure would have been significant and not feasible, both from an operational perspective and from a capital expenditure perspective.” 

Collaborative funding efforts from both federal and provincial governments highlighted the recognition of the project's importance and its impact on the community's well-being. The Government of Canada provided $7.2 million toward the Spadina Lift Station project under the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Saskatchewan provided close to $6 million. The City of Saskatoon invested $4.8 million to cover the remaining contribution.

“Reliable and sustainable water infrastructure contributes to the basics of a well-run city,” said the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan and CanNor, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities. “Today’s completion of the new Spadina Lift Station ensures better wastewater management and well-being for the community into the future.”

“Today, we celebrate the completion of a facility that will have a lasting impact on future generations,” said the Honourable Don McMorris, Minister of Government Relations. “As our cities continue to expand, it is important that critical infrastructure meet both current and future demands. Our government is committed to strengthening our communities through vital projects like this, ensuring a brighter future for all.”

“Saskatoon has experienced tremendous population and neighbourhood growth in recent decades,” said Mayor Charlie Clark. “This upgrade to the Spadina Lift Station is critical for ensuring we have the continued capacity to move the majority of Saskatoon’s wastewater safely and efficiently to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. This will benefit both today’s residents and future generations. Thanks to the Federal and Provincial Governments as funding partners in maintaining and modernizing this important infrastructure for our city.”

A second building on the same site was completed in 2016 and serves as a bypass lift station whenever needed. To learn more about the critical role Saskatoon’s 26 lift stations play in helping get wastewater to the treatment plant, visit saskatoon.ca/liftstations.