Region says Lakeshore sewage upgrades expected to start in 2027

Fort Erie residents near Lakeshore Road can expect upgrades at the sewage pumping station, but Niagara Region now says construction could begin in 2027.

Last September, 5,300 litres of sewage were discharged to local waters for 52 minutes after failing cables disabled two pumps at the Lakeshore Road pumping station.

The Region has planned to upgrade the station since early-2021.

“The planned upgrades, such as a new underground valve chamber, and underground infrastructure and electrical upgrades, will see the station’s capacity increased to meet the demands of a growing population,” said Phill Lambert, director of water and wastewater services for Niagara Region.

The upgrade project has a $7.4 million budget including a $750,000 investment from the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF).

“It is anticipated that construction could potentially commence in 2027,” added Lambert in an emailed statement to Fort Erie Radio.

The Region’s website lists design completion in fall 2025 and a spring 2026 construction start.

“In 2026, the ongoing work will focus on the review for optimization of the planned upgrades to ensure minimal impacts for the proposed improvements,” he said.

According to the CCBF in 2024, the new station will have a pumping capacity of 90 liters per second, 34 per cent higher than the old station’s capacity of 67 liters per second.

The existing station, built in 1985, has aging equipment flagged through assessments that say repair or replacement is needed to keep serving the town.

“All of the work is being completed on the building’s existing footprint,” said Lambert.

Residents can follow updates on the Region’s project page.

Lambert did not respond to questions about whether the detailed design was completed or whether the project is still on schedule.

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