The upgrade project proposed for Salmon Arm's sewage treatment plant is now pegged at $78.5 million.
This new estimate represents a 23.7 per cent inflationary increase since 2022, explained city engineering manager Jennifer Wilson at the July 14 council meeting. Wilson was speaking to a motion for a "minor amendment" to the city's 2004 liquid waste management plan (LWMP) to reflect the new cost.
The $78.5 million figure will replace the $14 million estimate from 21 years ago.
Wilson asked that council support an application to the Ministry of Environment and Parks to complete the amendment to reflect the updated capital cost estimate and the outcome of the, that confirmed the Water Pollution Control Centre Stage IV upgrade project would be done at the facility's current location at 121 Narcisse St. NW.
The amendment was needed before the city could proceed on a comprehensive LWMP update which, as part of the Stage IV upgrade, must be done to "provide a strategic framework that will guide the city’s wastewater management approach over the coming decades and… secure borrowing for future project phases (including Stage IV construction)."
Wilson said the LWMP process will involve a detailed review and assessment of the city’s current wastewater infrastructure, treatment capacity and discharge impacts, and will require "robust public and First Nations consultation and engagement to integrate community feedback into long-term wastewater treatment strategies."
The LWMP will also identify potential funding sources, recommend capital and operational improvements and outline phased implementation plans for meeting evolving regulatory standards.
In April 2025, council awarded Brown and Caldwell Consultants Canada Ltd. $1,113,998 (plus GST) to undertake the conceptual design for the upgrade. The city will also be seeking proposals for a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) who will provide input on cost, constructability and scheduling during the design phase, develop a guaranteed maximum price for the project, and manage the construction process.
"At what state or do we just keep our eyes open for infrastructure funding because I’m pretty confident we can’t afford this on our own…," asked Coun. Kevin Flynn.
Wilson said grant opportunities will be sought throughout the upgrade process, adding "the more we can bring this cost down and make it more affordable for the community the better."
Staff will also be looking at the project's scope, weighing "necessities versus nice-to-haves," beginning with a "condition assessment of all our existing plant infrastructure – we’ll keep as much as we can to bring costs down."
Mayor Alan Harrison commented on how the requested "minor amendment" made the motion seem appealing.
"I think for all of us, including staff, the cost escalations of infrastructure period, but especially water and sewer infrastructure, is alarming really," said Harrison, adding council would be doing its part to garner provincial support for the project at September's Union of BC Municipalities convention.
