The Town of Antigonish has finished installing four new aerator chains at its sewage treatment plant, a key step in reducing the foul odours that have plagued residents and businesses since summer 2024. The units became operational on August 5, 2026, despite heavy rain on the first day of work.
Installed by wastewater technology company Nexom, the new aerators push more air through the lagoon than the old system and are designed to resist clogging from items like wipes and menstrual products that should not be flushed. This extra oxygen helps the beneficial bacteria break down waste more effectively, cutting down on the smells that worsened during heat waves.
A rented blower has also arrived at the plant to deliver even more oxygenated air to the new aerators. Installation of that equipment was expected to take a few days after the aerators were in place.
The work is part of a larger $6.28 million upgrade project awarded to Avondale Construction, funded jointly by the Province of Nova Scotia, the Town of Antigonish, and the Municipality of the County of Antigonish. Earlier in July, a new permanent recirculation line came online, replacing a temporary system that could only run four hours a day.
Odour complaints first spiked during the summer of 2024, with some visitors asking if the town always smelled that way. Warmer lagoon temperatures, linked to climate change, have reduced oxygen transfer by 15 to 20 percent, according to consultants. The Town says the new equipment is expected to keep the plant running more effectively and reduce the smell for nearby residents and businesses.
