A joint venture has been awarded a C$815 million [1] contract to upgrade the North End Water Pollution Control Centre in Winnipeg.
The project represents a critical modernization of the city's largest and oldest wastewater-treatment facility [2]. By upgrading the plant and its biosolids facilities, the city aims to improve how it handles waste and ensures long-term environmental compliance.
The contract was awarded July 17, 2026 [3], to Red River Biosolids Partners. This consortium is a joint venture backed by Southland Holdings, Inc., comprising Aecon, MWH Constructors, and Oscar Renda Contracting [4]. Each of the three partners holds a 33.3% interest in the venture [5].
This progressive design-build project focuses on both the main sewage treatment plant and the associated biosolids facilities [4]. The City of Winnipeg selected the consortium to address the aging infrastructure of the site, a move intended to stabilize the city's water pollution control capabilities [2].
For the partners involved, the project provides a significant financial boost. Aecon said its one-third share of the project will be added to its construction segment backlog in the third quarter of 2026 [6]. The total contract value is estimated at US$580 million [1].
The project will involve a collaborative design and construction phase to ensure the facility can meet modern standards for wastewater management [4].
“The project represents a critical modernization of the city's largest and oldest wastewater-treatment facility.”
The selection of a progressive design-build model allows the City of Winnipeg to collaborate with the consortium during the design phase, reducing the risk of cost overruns and delays common in traditional 'design-bid-build' projects for aging infrastructure. This investment signals a prioritize shift toward environmental sustainability and infrastructure resilience in Manitoba's capital.
