The Challenge
The City of Winnipeg faced the urgent need to upgrade its three aging sewage treatment plants to meet evolving environmental standards and support population growth. With over $3 billion in mandated capital upgrades—including the transformation of the North End Sewage Treatment Plant (NEWPCC), which is ranked among Water Canada’s Top 50 Projects 2024 —the City required a long-term solution that could balance technical excellence, financial responsibility, and public oversight.
At the same time, Winnipeg wanted to retain full ownership and operational control of its wastewater infrastructure, while still benefiting from outside expertise to manage risk, streamline capital delivery, and improve system-wide performance. The City sought a partner that could collaborate on strategy, support capital planning, and ensure transparency and value over time.
Veolia's Solution
In 2011, Veolia entered into a 30-year strategic partnership with the City of Winnipeg under the Winnipeg Sewage Treatment Program (WSTP).
This unique collaboration is guided by the WSTP’s governance model, adapted to focus on long-term capital planning and delivery.
The City of Winnipeg continues to operate the facilities, with Veolia acting as a partner, providing program management, technical support, and strategic advice across all capital initiatives; operations; maintenance and asset management. Veolia and the City share responsibilities through joint leadership and management teams, ensuring aligned decision-making and full accountability. The aspect which separates Veolia’s role from traditional consulting activities is that Veolia shares the risk and opportunities of its advice with the City, whether that be upside or downside.
Key Elements of the Solution
Strategic planning and execution of all major upgrades and new construction
Benchmarking and optimization to improve technical and financial performance
Transparent open-book accounting and regular cost audits
Access to Veolia’s global network of engineers and wastewater expertise
Support for knowledge transfer and long-term staff capacity building
A major success under this partnership is navigating the complex $3 billion upgrade of the NEWPCC, while maintaining ongoing operations. This project includes:
Replacement of the new headworks - under construction and due for completion in 2026.
Replacement of biosolids treatment and move towards maximizing beneficial reuse of biosolids - in design, with early construction works started, due for completion by 2030.
An upgrade to provide biological nutrient removal — currently targeted for completion by 2032.
This is a great deal for Winnipeggers... an agreement that will ensure the success of these immense projects while sharing the financial risk.
Tim Shanks, Director of Water & Waste Department, City of Winnipeg
The Benefits to the Client
By teaming up with Veolia, the City of Winnipeg is realizing multiple long-term benefits, including:
Improved financial performance
Emphasis on reducing whole-life costs for both capital and operational investments
Increased project control
City retains ownership and operations, with expert support from Veolia
Shared risk and accountability
Veolia’s involvement includes financial risk-sharing to keep major projects on time and on budget
Stronger capital project delivery
Access to Veolia’s specialized staff and international best practices
Operational resilience
Continuous support for regulatory compliance and system-wide performance improvements
Public trust and transparency
Open-book financial model fosters trust and collaborative decision-making