Tuesday, August 25, 2026
The Government of Canada and the City of Ottawa announced a federal investment of more than $30 million to increase the electrical reliability of the Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre (ROPEC) wastewater treatment plant.
This investment, through the Direct Delivery stream of the Build Communities Strong Fund, will allow the City to upgrade the plant’s electrical distribution systems, including the existing cogeneration plant. These enhancements will provide sufficient power to operate all sewage treatment processes during extended power outages and will prepare the facility for any future upgrades or plant expansions necessary to support the City’s growing community.
“Today’s investment in electrical reliability for the Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre (ROPEC) in Ottawa will strengthen the facility’s resilience by ensuring wastewater treatment operations can continue during extended power outages. The project will also help meet the needs of the City’s growing population for years to come, while creating and supporting good jobs for Canadian workers,” said Mona Fortier, MP for Ottawa-Vanier-Gloucester
The ROPEC, originally built in 1962, providing primary level treatment, and called the Green’s Creek Pollution Control Centre, provides secondary level treatment (physical and biological) of domestic, commercial and industrial wastewater – returning treated water to the Ottawa River.
Situated on 67 hectares of land adjacent to the Canotek Business Park in Ottawa East, the facility underwent major expansion and rehabilitation from 1988 to 1993 increasing treatment capacity, improving biosolids processing, and adding odour control, with the level of treatment improved from primary treatment to include biological secondary treatment.
“The Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre is one of Ottawa’s most important pieces of infrastructure. It protects public health, supports new housing, and helps keep the Ottawa River clean. This investment will make the plant more reliable during extended power outages, strengthen its resilience to extreme weather, and ensure it can keep pace with Ottawa’s growth. I want to sincerely thank MP Mona Fortier and the Government of Canada for recognizing the importance of this project and for investing in Ottawa’s infrastructure. Strong communities depend on reliable infrastructure, and this partnership will deliver lasting benefits for Ottawa residents,” said Mark Sutcliffe, Mayor of the City of Ottawa.
Featured image: (City of Ottawa)
