MTE's Involvement
Our team delivered a cost-effective design that minimized both construction and operational costs by specifying equipment tailored to the project’s specific requirements. The station’s building was thoughtfully designed to complement the site’s natural slope, resulting in an attractive walkout-style structure that blended seamlessly into the surrounding landscape.
MTE began the project by completing a Schedule B Class Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate sanitary servicing options. Through this process, our team assessed multiple alternatives and carefully considered their environmental, social, economic, natural heritage, technical, and legal implications—including the location of the pumping station, sanitary outlet, and servicing approach.
Stakeholder engagement was a key part of the Class EA process. MTE facilitated coordination and communication with the City of Cambridge, Grand River Conservation Authority, local First Nations, and members of the community. Public feedback was gathered through various meetings and a Public Information Centre.
Based on a thorough technical review, our team identified the preferred solution: directing sanitary flows by gravity to a pumping station located at the development’s low point, where flows would then be conveyed via forcemain to a municipal sanitary outlet that resumed gravity flow. The station was also designed with an emergency overflow to a nearby stormwater management pond.
MTE completed the detailed design, as well as contract administration and inspection services for the Limerick Sanitary Pumping Station and associated forcemain.
The station itself is a two-storey structure housing a natural gas standby generator, electrical services, a control panel, and a washroom facility. It features a dry well/wet well configuration with two submersible pumps. The wet well was divided into two cells, providing easier access for maintenance and allowing equipment to be dismantled without disturbing the pump motors—significantly reducing the need for confined space entries.
To address odour concerns, the station was equipped with continuous powered ventilation, discharging above the roofline through a vent stack. Wastewater is conveyed through an 805-metre-long, 200-mm diameter high-density polyethylene (HDPE) forcemain. The system was designed for a peak flow of 33 L/s, based on zoning and servicing requirements for a population of 3,220 residents.
The pumping station was funded by the subdivision’s developer and ultimately transferred to the City of Cambridge upon completion. This required MTE to work in close coordination with both the developer and the City to ensure the project was delivered on time, within budget, and in full compliance with municipal standards.