Palliser Sanitary Lift Station Upgrade
Project Update –November 5, 2024
Construction is progressing well at the Palliser Sanitary Lift Station as we move into November, and the team is still on track to complete the work towards the end of 2024. This station is currently being bypassed to ensure we still provide reliable ongoing service, while we complete all of the work inside the otherwise-inaccessible wet well.
As we approach the winter months, crews are finishing exterior works on the buildings including the final architectural treatment, paving and fencing. Crews have also installed all major equipment and are in the process of commissioning the equipment. Once the wet well work is completed crews will finish testing the equipment and return the station to normal operation. The City's contractor will demobilize from site by the end of 2024 but will return in spring 2025 to complete seasonal landscaping work.
Project Timeline
Winter 2024 - Anticipated Project Completion
Reports
Project Updates
This webpage will be updated as milestones are met. Please check back periodically.
Questions
For more information or questions, please contact 311.
About the project
The Palliser Sanitary Lift Station collects, temporarily stores, and then pumps wastewater from the community towards wastewater treatment facilities. The existing sanitary lift station, located at the entrance of South Glenmore Park, was built in 1968 and was designed to meet the standards of that time. However, as the city has grown, so have the requirements for the lift station and the facility is now too small to meet modern requirements and standards. As a result, the existing building will be renovated, and a second building will be built to accommodate this increased need.
Engagement was conducted over three weeks in summer 2021 to identify Calgarians preference between the two available exterior finish options. As a result, we will be proceeding with the second design concept.
Project benefits
These upgrades will ensure the facility continues to provide a high level of service to the surrounding community for years to come. The upgrades will make sure the facility maintains function in the event of a utility outage, while improving the safety for the workers operating and maintaining the facility. The upgraded exterior will improve the aesthetic and work to complement the surrounding natural landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sanitary lift station?
Calgary’s wastewater system is a gravity fed system – that means that sanitary flows are mostly driven by gravity to get wastewater to our treatment facilities. A sanitary lift station is essentially a pump that moves sanitary wastewater towards The City’s wastewater treatment facilities when gravity is not an option due to the elevation of an area.
Why are you expanding this sanitary lift station?
The current station was built in 1968 and designed to meet the standards of that time. As the city has grown, requirements for lift stations have changed. Expanding the sanitary lift station with a more resilient structure allows us to meet current safety and operational guidelines and continue to provide a high-level of sanitary service to Calgarians.
Why is the footprint of the new sanitary lift station expansion bigger than the existing structure?
The new lift station will have increased pumping capacity which means more space is needed for the equipment. Also, safety requirements have changed since 1968, and more space is now required for the safety of maintenance personnel.
What will happen to the existing building?
The existing structure will remain but will undergo architectural improvements including a new exterior finish to complement the second building. Interior equipment will be replaced and updated to current standards.
How will residents be impacted by the construction?
During the construction of the new sanitary lift station, residents can expect noise from equipment and higher than average traffic in the area. There will be temporary lane closures on 24 Street S.W. near 90 Avenue S.W.
Will the new lift station include solar panels?
The Palliser Sanitary Lift Station's electrical work and roof has been designed to accommodate solar panels in the future. These are planned to be added to all sanitary lift stations in the city once a design and style has been approved that will work for all locations.
The current lift station sometimes emits an odour. Will the new lift station expansion address this?
The new lift station will have an odour control unit to minimize any odour. This is not a feature of the current lift station.
Will trees be removed?
No trees will be removed as part of this project. The current footprint of the existing building provides sufficient space for the new buildings, as well as construction lay down area.
Will this site be open to the public?
No, lift stations are not accessible to the public.
Will there be washrooms built as part of this project?
No, washrooms are not in scope for this project. There are washrooms available inside South Glenmore Park.