The Brights Grove Water Treatment Plant (WTP) is located on the shores of Lake Huron in the City of Sarnia, Ontario. The plant uses a micro-filtration system to provide high quality drinking water to service the Town of Petrolia as well as the surrounding townships of Enniskillen and Dawn-Euphemia, and to the Village of Oil Springs. CIMA+ was engaged to perform a comprehensive condition assessment of the 9 ML/d water treatment facility. Our team evaluated all major operational systems including structural, mechanical, electrical, and automation to support data-driven planning and budgeting for future enhancements.
The assessment prioritized necessary upgrades, addressed Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) compliance requirements and formed the foundation for a sustainable long-term capital improvement strategy. The highest priority project was to be the upgrade of the high-lift pumping station (HLPS) and improvement of the disinfection system to ensure that all water was adequately disinfected prior to discharge into the distribution system. Following the completion of the assessment, CIMA+ was once again selected to design and oversee construction of a new HLPS and clearwell to replace aging infrastructure within the facility.
Future-ready infrastructure to serve communities better
The construction of the new clearwell and HLPS was carried out on a compact and densely developed site originally established in the 1890s. Due to the age of the facility and the cumulative impact of prior upgrades, previously undocumented utilities and drainage systems were encountered during construction—presenting unforeseen challenges. Through effective collaboration between the contractor and the owner, these issues were addressed promptly and efficiently, minimizing disruption to the project schedule.
The upgrade included construction of a 1,000 m³ chlorine contact chamber, a dual-cell pump well, new high-lift pumps, an upgraded electrical room and expanded spaces for operations and water-quality testing. Designed for energy efficiency, operational continuity and ease of maintenance, the upgraded system achieves a reliable 12 ML/d capacity while reducing lifecycle costs.
Additionally, zebra mussel and frazil ice control systems were implemented to improve the resilience of the existing raw water intake system. The intake pipeline was scraped and cleaned as much as possible to remove the zebra mussels, and a chlorine injection port was installed at the raw water intake screen to prevent further mussel infestation within the pipe. A backwash system was also installed, using relatively warm treated drinking water to dislodge any frazil ice buildup at the intake screen. Standard operating procedures were developed in consultation with the MECP to prevent discharge of chlorinated water into the lake.
Strategic partnerships and democratic design
In addition to delivering design and construction solutions, CIMA+ played a strategic role in helping the Town of Petrolia and partner municipalities access funding through the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund. Together, they submitted a coordinated grant application and were successful in obtaining funding as a result of their collaboration.
During the design process, the Town coordinated with the City of Sarnia and residents to refine the site plan configuration to address concerns raised about potential visual impacts. By rearranging the location of some ancillary buildings, and with the inclusion of some enhanced architectural features, the Town was able to address their concerns with no major impact to the site’s functionality.
The result is a modernized, efficient, and sustainable water treatment facility that secures long-term supply for residents across Lambton County.
“This project improved the Town’s water treatment system, but also improved its aesthetics,” explains Stuart Winchester, Senior Director, Infrastructure and Partner at CIMA+, “The property is located on a corner lot in a residential neighbourhood, and is a prominent historic landmark. The local residents place a high value on the vista of the lake from properties south of the water treatment plant site. The plant’s original building is a designated heritage building, so we considered all of these factors– balanced with cost for a small town— when designing the new facility.”
The project won the 2020 OPWA Small Municipality Project of the Year Award. The next phase of the overall project is underway, comprising a new raw water intake, a new low-lift pumping station and a pre-treatment system to protect the existing micro-filtration system. Construction is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2026