Laval plans $334M upgrade to La Pinière wastewater facility
The City of Laval is moving forward with a major infrastructure project, announcing plans to invest $334 million to modernize the StaRRE La Pinière wastewater treatment facility, which serves approximately 75 percent of the territory.
The information was disclosed in a municipal press release issued April 9, 2026.
Major investment in essential infrastructure
According to the City, the project focuses on upgrading the solid treatment stream of the facility in order to meet growing demand linked to population growth and urban development, while also reducing the environmental footprint of operations.
Laval mayor Stéphane Boyer stated in the release that the modernization of the La Pinière plant is among the city’s most important infrastructure priorities in the coming years.
He added that such large-scale municipal projects will require financial support from both provincial and federal governments. Discussions are currently ongoing to secure funding comparable to similar projects elsewhere in Quebec and Canada, according to the City.
A facility under pressure
Located in the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul sector, the StaRRE La Pinière facility has been in operation since 1998. The City says it now faces increasing pressure due to demographic growth and intensified urban development, including housing needs.
The planned upgrades aim to:
- increase treatment capacity
- enable 100 percent valorization of biosolids
- improve environmental performance
- ensure long-term reliability and adaptability of the infrastructure
A separate future project is also expected to address upgrades to the liquid treatment stream.
Modernization and safety improvements
The City indicates that several systems and pieces of equipment will be replaced as part of the project. This includes improvements to the sludge drying system, which is expected to enhance operational reliability as well as public health and safety.
Design-build approach selected
For the project’s delivery, Laval has chosen a design-build model, an approach previously used for other municipal projects such as the municipal courthouse and the Épicentre culturel.
According to the City, this method allows for closer collaboration between partners from the early stages, with the goal of improving efficiency, ensuring technical consistency and maintaining control over costs and timelines.
The selection process for the contractor will take place in two phases:
- an initial qualification call, currently underway, to shortlist up to three candidates
- a second phase involving detailed technical and financial proposals, expected to last about one year
The La Pinière upgrade is described by the City as its largest infrastructure project, highlighting ongoing challenges faced by municipalities in maintaining and modernizing aging water systems while supporting continued growth.
