Hamilton committee backs a $39.9 million contract to rebuild 1964 clarifiers at the Woodward wastewater plant, $6.6 million over budget

What the committee approved

Hamilton's Public Works Committee voted 8 to 0 on October 2, 2026, to approve an additional $6,552,966 in capital funding from Waterworks Capital Reserve #108005 and to direct the General Manager of Public Works to award Contract C13-12-26 to Maple Reinders Constructors Ltd., according to the committee's minutes. The contract covers upgrades to Primary Clarifiers (Galleries 1-8) and the Scum Building at the Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Why the work is needed

The report says the eight primary clarifiers and the scum building were built as part of the original plant in 1964, and a condition assessment found rehabilitation and repair needs. Hatch Ltd. was retained in 2023 for engineering. Staff say rehabilitating the clarifiers and replacing end-of-life sludge and scum removal equipment maintains reliable primary treatment and protects water quality in Hamilton Harbour and Lake Ontario.

The tender was issued in May 2026 and closed on July 20, 2026. Staff said the low bid came in above the estimate for pre-construction items, concrete and electrical work, and included added scope issued by addenda. With the extra money, total contingency would be 11% of the budget; the report says up to 15% is typical for complex refurbishments at an operating plant.

The alternatives staff rejected

• Negotiating a smaller scope, which staff said risked process upsets at the plant.
• Cancelling and re-tendering, which staff said would raise compliance risk under the plant's Environmental Compliance Approval because these areas are end-of-life, and add costs.
• Asking bidders to hold prices past October 18, 2026, until the 2027 water budget, which staff said bidders were not obliged to accept.