Wellington Pump Station Upgrade Project

The final phase of construction, Phase 3, has been awarded for construction. Below are some schedule and progress notes:

• March to July, 2026: Exterior grading, construction of new control building and emergency generator pad
  • Fun Facts:
    • The new control building is required to safely accommodate the electrical equipment required to support population growth and the capacity upgrade of the pump station.
    • The new control building will also house a new odour control unit, which will reduce the odour generated by the pump station.
    • The emergency generator is required to ensure that sewage keeps moving in the system during extended power outages.
  • What to expect: Construction noise, dust during dry weather excavation work, occasional traffic stops to allow equipment to move on/off site, and construction traffic.
• May 2026: Preparation of main pumpstation structure for internal refurbishment.
  • What to expect: Noise from concrete cutting and modification work.
• July 2026: Commissioning of new control building.
  • What to expect: Noise during testing of new generator and control room equipment, possibility of localized odour during startup and testing of the new odour control system.
• June to November, 2026: Operation of a new and temporary pumping system to have the sewer flow bypass the existing pump station structure, allowing it to be refurbished and upgraded on the inside.
  • Fun Facts:
    • Temporary bypass pumping is essential to be able to access the interior of the pump station and refurbish it.
    • The temporary bypass pumping must be done during the summer while flows are lowest.
    • The system has been designed to be powered from the new control building, avoiding the need for loud diesel generators to power the pumps.
  • What to expect: Noise from the operation of pumps, which will start and stop as flows demand. Potential for localized odours as the temporary pumping system cannot provide a seal as effective as the pump station structure.
• June to November, 2026: Interior refurbishment and upgrade of the existing pump station structure.
  • What to expect: Noise from construction works, construction traffic.
• December 2026: Construction complete, public access reinstated.

Phase 2 works are well underway and include sewer piping replacement on the pump station property, the addition of an electrical building and an emergency backup generator. Beach Access will continue to be restricted during this time due to construction hazards.

Phase 2 works will continue until the Spring of 2026.

Phase 1 of the upgrade project has been mostly completed. The first phase focused on foreshore works necessary to facilitate bypass pumping and improving wetwell access for RDN staff. The next phase of the project will begin early May 2025 and includes the addition of a new electrical building, emergency backup generator, odour control unit, and replacement of large diameter sewer piping from the station up to the intersection of Fillinger Crescent and Entwhistle Drive. Significant rock breaking (jack hammering) is not expected to occur during phase 2 and 3 of the project. Thank you for your patience while construction continues.