Cleaner Water, Smarter Systems: Inside the Rosehill Treatment Plant Modernization

Water treatment facilities are among the most critical pieces of public infrastructure—quietly ensuring that communities have access to clean, safe, and reliable drinking water every single day. When these facilities age or when demand increases, upgrades become essential not only to maintain performance but to strengthen long‑term resilience. The Rosehill Water Treatment Plant Upgrades project in Fort Erie is a strong example of how thoughtful modernization can enhance capacity, efficiency, and operational reliability without interrupting service to the community.

As the Prime Contractor, Procon Constructors led this multi‑disciplinary upgrade, coordinating electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, and SCADA improvements across the facility. The project required careful planning, precise execution, and a deep understanding of how to work within an active water treatment environment—where shutting down operations simply isn’t an option.

A Comprehensive Modernization of a Critical Facility

The Rosehill Water Treatment Plant serves a large portion of the Niagara Region, making its reliability essential. The project involved a wide range of upgrades across multiple buildings and systems, including:

• A new addition to the Administration Building

• Full electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation upgrades

• Improvements to the Low Lift Pumping Station

• Upgrades to settling tanks and filtration systems

• Replacement of high lift and backwash pumps

• A new outdoor E‑house substation and power distribution system

• A plant‑wide PLC‑based control system

• Paving, restoration, and commissioning

Each of these components played a role in strengthening the plant’s ability to operate efficiently and meet modern regulatory and performance standards.

Expanding and Modernizing the Administration Building

One of the first major components of the project was the addition to the Administration Building, which included a full upgrade of the electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation systems. This expansion created a more functional and modern workspace for plant staff and provided the infrastructure needed to support the upgraded control systems and monitoring equipment.

The modernization also improved workflow efficiency, safety, and the plant’s ability to manage data and system performance in real time.

Upgrading the Low Lift Pumping Station

The Low Lift Pumping Station is responsible for drawing raw water into the treatment process, making it one of the most essential parts of the facility. Procon completed a series of major upgrades here, including:

• A new electrical room addition

• Installation of new pumps

• Upgraded travelling screens

• New HVAC systems

• Modernized electrical and control systems

These improvements increased the station’s reliability and efficiency, ensuring consistent water flow into the treatment plant even during peak demand periods.

Enhancing Settling Tanks and Filtration Systems

Settling tanks and filters are at the heart of the water purification process. Procon upgraded these systems to improve performance and extend their lifespan.

Settling Tank Upgrades

The project included the installation of new stainless‑steel plates, which enhance sedimentation efficiency and improve water clarity early in the treatment process.

Filter Upgrades

The filtration system received several key improvements:

• New parallel underdrains

• A blower for integrated air scour

• New filter media

These upgrades help maintain consistent filtration performance, reduce maintenance needs, and improve the plant’s ability to handle fluctuations in water quality.

New High Lift and Backwash Pumps

To support the plant’s distribution capabilities, Procon replaced the existing high lift and backwash pumps with seven new vertical turbine pumps. These pumps are designed for long‑term reliability and improved energy efficiency, ensuring that treated water can be delivered consistently across the region.

A New E‑House Substation and Power Distribution System

One of the most significant electrical upgrades was the installation of a new outdoor E‑house substation, which included:

• 44kV metering

• A 2.5MVA transformer

• A 600V outdoor secondary switchboard

Procon also installed new Motor Control Centers (MCCs) and distribution panels, replacing aging infrastructure with modern, efficient, and safer equipment. This upgrade dramatically improved the plant’s electrical reliability and reduced the risk of unplanned outages.

A Plant‑Wide Distributed PLC Control System

Modern water treatment facilities rely heavily on automation and real‑time monitoring. Procon replaced the existing control system with a new distributed PLC‑based system, supported by a plant‑wide network.

This upgrade allows operators to:

• Monitor system performance more accurately

• Respond quickly to changes or alarms

• Optimize treatment processes

• Reduce downtime and maintenance costs

The new control system is also scalable, allowing for future expansion or integration of new technologies.

Maintaining Full Operation Throughout Construction

One of the most impressive aspects of the project was that the facility remained fully operational throughout the renovation and installation of new systems. This required careful sequencing, temporary systems, and close coordination with plant staff to ensure uninterrupted water service to the community.

Procon’s experience working in active industrial and institutional environments was essential in delivering the project safely and efficiently.

A Stronger, More Reliable Water Treatment Facility

Completed in January 2021, the Rosehill Water Treatment Plant Upgrades project represents a major investment in the long‑term health and resilience of the region’s water infrastructure. Through comprehensive mechanical, electrical, and control system upgrades, Procon helped modernize the facility while ensuring continuous operation—a testament to the company’s multi‑trade expertise and commitment to quality.