Two NAC Projects Named Finalists for 2025 Water Canada Awards

We’re excited to share that two NAC-led projects have been named finalists in the 2025 Water Canada Awards under the Wastewater – Large Project category:

• Woodward Avenue WWTP – Secondary Treatment Upgrade
• Tofino Wastewater Treatment Plant
  

The Water Canada Awards recognize excellence in innovation, sustainability, and impact within the water sector. Finalists represent some of the most ambitious and transformative infrastructure projects underway across the country.

Woodward Avenue WWTP – Secondary Treatment Upgrade

The Woodward Avenue WWTP Secondary Treatment Upgrade is a flagship component of the City of Hamilton’s Clean Harbour Program. As the single largest source of discharge into Hamilton Harbour, the upgraded facility plays a vital role in meeting new effluent quality targets and supporting the long-term goal of delisting the harbour as an Area of Concern.

NAC’s scope included extensive civil, mechanical, and electrical work across the plant, including the construction of the world’s largest tertiary disk filtration facility and a new chlorine contact tank (CCT) and outfall system.

The project also featured the restoration and widening of 1 kilometre of Red Hill Creek, enhancing energy dissipation and ecological stability in the receiving watercourse. This transformative upgrade has significantly improved water quality in the harbour and stands as one of the most impactful infrastructure investments in the region.

Tofino Wastewater Treatment Plant

This landmark project marked the construction of Tofino’s first-ever wastewater facility. Delivered under a Design-Assist Construction Management contract, the scope includes new secondary clarifiers, IFAS reactors, EQ tank, headworks building, mechanical and electrical facilities, and full commissioning and tie-ins for influent and effluent systems.

Originally challenged by budget constraints during early procurement, NAC was retained in 2021 to support project redesign and cost optimization. In collaboration with the District of Tofino, the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, WSP, and multiple levels of government, NAC proposed a revised plant design centered around Integrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) treatment technology—successfully aligning the project with its original budget while delivering long-term performance and sustainability gains. Once complete, this transformative facility will serve local residents and the nearly one million visitors Tofino welcomes each year.

Winners will be announced in Toronto on October 16, 2025. Stay tuned!