Canadian city purchases wastewater treatment facility from Catalyst

The City of Alberni in Canada has purchased Catalyst’s wastewater treatment facility and additional lands for $5.75m.

With the agreements in place, the city will now finalise and be eligible to draw on an $11.2m grant provided by the federal government in 2012 to integrate Catalyst’s lagoon with the city’s wastewater treatment infrastructure.

The city has made an initial payment of $5m, while the remaining $750,000 will be payable on the first anniversary of the closing date.

Catalyst will receive tax certainty from the city at 2012 levels for five years. It has agreed to accept sludge from the lagoon at no additional cost to the city prior to renovations beginning.

Also included in the agreement are land and a road dedication to enable the city to pursue the development of an industrial road along the waterfront.

Mayor John Douglas said this is a major step forward for the city in reaching key strategic priorities identified by council.

"Our wastewater treatment system will receive significant upgrades increasing capacity and improving water quality in the Alberni Harbour and Somass Estuary", Douglas added.

Catalyst president and CEO Joe Nemeth said: "This transaction represents a mutual investment in community prosperity and continued cooperation between community and our industry. It addresses the City’s need for infrastructure while enabling Catalyst to focus on core operations."