Modernizing essential infrastructure, supporting housing development and ensuring we are equipped to meet the needs of a growing population, all while protecting the health of our waterways.
The North End Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade is one of the most important projects in our city’s future and the largest capital project in Winnipeg’s history.
The plant is more than 90 years old and treats about 70 percent of Winnipeg’s wastewater. It also treats 100 percent of the solids removed from the wastewater at all three of the City’s treatment plants.
An enormous project, with significant benefit
With a total budget of over $3 billion, the NEWPCC upgrades are a significant investment in our city and future. As of October 30, 2026, funding has been received for all projects to move forward.
The upgrades are divided across three distinct projects, all of which are occurring while the plant continues to operate.
Project 1: Power Supply and Headworks Facilities includes a new power substation and infrastructure to pump and screen wastewater coming into the plant for treatment. The facility began operation in August 2026.
Project 2: Biosolids Facilities will deal with the solid part of sewage, like poop, fats, organics, and grease. The project broke ground this year and is expected to be completed in 2031.
Project 3: Nutrient Removal Facilities will treat the liquid part of wastewater before it enters the river and reduce the amount of nutrients released. It will also implement wet weather flow treatment technology and accommodate growth of our city into the future. The project is expected to be completed in 2032.
Enabling our growth & supporting our economy
Without expanded wastewater capacity, new housing development would stall, impacting our ability to attract new industry and development. The NEWPCC upgrades ensure we can continue to grow the city that is the economic heart of our province.
Beyond the economic impact, the project promises to create significant job opportunities throughout construction. Preliminary analysis shows construction of Projects 2 and 3 alone will create more than 8,700 full time direct and indirect jobs over the next five or six years.
Our City, Our Podcast
Engineers Linda McCusker and Lana Obach are on the team leading these upgrades. They joined Our City, Our Podcast to discuss why this massive project is critical for Winnipeg. This episode was released in February 2026.
You can listen to it in the player below or wherever you listen to podcasts.