Wastewater Treatment Facility

In September 2025, the Province of Alberta issued the Town of Ponoka a new 10-year operating approval for the Wastewater Treatment Facility under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. The approval establishes new, more stringent provincial effluent treatment requirements that have been implemented under the Act, which are to be achieved through phased upgrades at the facility beginning in 2026.

To comply with the new provincial effluent treatment requirements, the Town of Ponoka must undertake three major phases of Wastewater Treatment Facility upgrades: 

• Phase 1 (2026–2027) – focused on early works, screening, conveyance and flow diversions. 
• Phase 2 (2031) – mechanical treatment upgrades.
• Phase 3 (2035) – tertiary treatment improvements.
  
  

Phase 1 of construction includes:

• A new operations building for screening and grit removal;
• A new lift station;
• New tie-ins and replacing existing pipes as required; and
• Overflow management using repurposed lagoon cells.
  
  

The planned improvements to the Wastewater Plant Headworks align with Council’s strategic priority of maintaining safe and reliable Town infrastructure.