Portage la Prairie city council is seeking a completion date extension with the Federal Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF) for Phase 1 of the Water Pollution Control Facility upgrades.

According to a city administration report, the $28.75-million project includes the construction of a wastewater pumping station at the Poplar Bluff Industrial Park to service Roquette; It also includes the development of a low rate anaerobic reactor at the Water Pollution Control Facility to service all regional industry (McCain Foods, NutriPea, Roquette) and tenants of the McMillan Industrial Park. Council resolved this week to file a formal extension request with the CWWF funding program to March 31, 2019 -- one year more than the CWWF March 31, 2018 deadline.

"This is separate and apart from the (public-private) project," explains Coun. Wayne Wall, Waterworks Committee chair. "That's because Roquette came to town after we had already begun planning and they require waste treatment for their affluent as of the beginning of 2019. If we wait for the P3 project to be completed we wouldn't be able to take care of them in time."

" ... This cost will come out of the P3, but the operation and maintenance of it will roll back into the P3."

Wall says Roquette intends to start production in the spring of 2019 and the city plans to have a new low-rate anaerobic reactor ready by then, replacing the existing Bulk Volume Fermenter.

The city expects a large portion of the $28.75-million price tag will be picked up by the provincial and federal governments. While the exact numbers aren't yet known, Ferris says Phase 1 of the WPCF upgrades could cost the city up to $9-million, with its share being financed by the utility reserve.

"Typically, on more of the (three-party) projects we've seen in the last number of years (cost-sharing) has been one-third, one-third and one-third," Ferris explains. "In this case, approximately $9-million. It could be that much and our reserves can handle that."

See related stories:

"Questions and Concerns Raised About P3 Financing in Portage"

"Concerns Linger Over P3 Funding for WPCF"

"Step Forward For Public-Private Partnerships"

"City Moving Forward With Nutrient Removal Process"