Courtright Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion Moves into Construction

NAC is pleased to be partnering with St. Clair Township on the expansion of the Courtright Wastewater Treatment Plant, an important infrastructure investment that will increase the community’s wastewater treatment capacity and help support future residential and industrial growth for years to come.

The project is being delivered through a Progressive Design-Build (PDB) model, bringing the owner, designer, and constructor together as one integrated team from the earliest stages of the project. This collaborative approach enables key decisions around scope, constructability, sequencing, schedule, and cost to be made together before construction begins, resulting in greater certainty and stronger project outcomes.

Since this is an expansion of an existing facility, the project team approached the design with a clear objective: preserve and build upon infrastructure that was already performing well, while making targeted improvements where they would deliver the greatest lifecycle value. Rather than replacing equipment unnecessarily, the team evaluated each system to determine what should remain, what could be optimized, and where new technology could provide long-term benefits.

Working closely with St. Clair Township and our design partner, WSP, the progressive design phase advanced at an accelerated pace. Although the contract was awarded at an early design stage, the integrated team was able to develop the design in a matter of months by streamlining decision-making, eliminating redundant processes, and leveraging NAC’s in-house construction expertise. This collaborative approach reduced the administrative burden for the owner while focusing on the successful project delivery.

One of the project's most significant innovations is the use of advanced technology to increase treatment capacity within the existing tank footprint by improving the efficiency of the biological treatment process.

The project also benefits from the expertise of WSP, NAC’s design partner, whose extensive experience in the region has been invaluable. Given the site’s proximity to the St. Clair River and the associated high groundwater conditions, local geotechnical knowledge has played an important role in developing practical and constructible solutions. NAC and WSP have partnered on numerous projects over the years, and the strong working relationship between the two organizations has contributed to streamlined decision-making throughout the design process.

Beyond the technical aspects of the project, the expansion represents a significant investment in the local community. As one of the largest infrastructure projects undertaken by St. Clair Township, the project team has worked closely with municipal staff to minimize impacts to residents through planned truck routes and thoughtful construction planning. NAC is also committed to supporting the local economy by engaging regional subcontractors and suppliers wherever possible.

For NAC, the Courtright Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion demonstrates the value of collaborative project delivery. By bringing construction expertise into the design process from the beginning, the project team has improved constructability, reduced risk, optimized project value, and positioned the Township for sustainable future growth.

We look forward to continuing our partnership with St. Clair Township, WSP, and all project stakeholders as construction progresses, and to sharing updates as this important project takes shape.