Work is now underway to upgrade the aeration system at the Town of Antigonish Sewer Treatment Plant, a long-awaited step to tackle odour problems that have frustrated residents and businesses for years. Crews from Avondale Construction began installing new equipment on July 30 and expect to wrap up by August 2.
This week’s work focuses on putting in fresh aeration gear and handling warranty maintenance on existing lines, according to a town notice. It follows the July 17 completion of a permanent recirculation line that now keeps oxygen levels steady in the treatment lagoon, replacing a temporary setup that could only run part of the day.
The aeration project is part of a broader $7.66 million upgrade to the 50-year-old facility, which has struggled with worsening smells as warmer weather linked to climate change cuts the lagoon’s ability to treat waste. Town data shows lagoon temperatures are now 6 to 7 degrees Celsius higher than 20 years ago, slicing oxygen transfer efficiency by 15 to 20 percent.
The Town of Antigonish acknowledged the strain on neighbours. “We understand the negative impact the plant’s odour has on neighbouring properties,” the town said in a notice, adding the work “is necessary to enhance the efficiency of the plant and minimize odour over the long-term.”
The full plant overhaul, designed by CBCL Limited, is expected to finish by fall 2027. It includes new screening equipment and high-capacity blowers, with funding split between the Town of Antigonish, the Municipality of the County of Antigonish, and the province’s Municipal Capital Growth Program.
