Discovery Ridge Lift Station Improvement Project
Background
Built in 2000, The Discovery Ridge Sanitary Lift Station, located south of Discovery Dr. S.W., is a critical piece of infrastructure that plays an important role in sanitary service in the community. Discovery Ridge is located lower than the surrounding sewer network. Due to this lower elevation, the community relies on a sanitary lift station to pump wastewater to higher ground, where it can flow out to The City’s wastewater treatment plant.
The lift station is now approaching the end of its intended service life. Many of its critical mechanical, electrical, and control components are aging and require renewal to ensure the facility continues to operate safely, reliably, and in compliance with current codes and standards.
Lift Station improvements
A key objective of this project is to improve the reliability of the lift station and reduce the risk of equipment failure that could affect service reliability.
The project includes replacing and expanding the existing lift station building, upgrading safety features by creating a larger and safer working area for operations staff, relocating electrical equipment and improving some paved surfaces within the fenced lift station area.
The facility will be updated to meet all current building codes, ensuring residents continue to receive long-term, dependable sanitary service that serves to protect the surrounding environment. The lift station design will focus on ensuring the lift station area integrates cohesively within the park space and residents will be given the opportunity to choose between three different designs.
The existing lift station will be replaced with a larger, more resilient structure. The footprint of the fenced lift station will be expanding eight meters to the west to allow vehicles to turn safely around the lift station and not impede the nearby pathway and pedestrians.
The increased height and larger footprint are necessary to accommodate new integrated equipment required to improve operations. These upgrades include systems such as an odour control unit to prevent the release of odours, and a backup generator with a silencer to reduce noise during operation.
By updating the lift station now, it will ensure the facility continues to move wastewater reliably and securely, while meeting regulatory and operational requirements thereby minimizing future service disruptions due to aging infrastructure.
Images showing the existing lift station and the proposed future design.
Note: Refinements may still be made to the design based on operational requirements.
Land use change
The site is currently within an environmental reserve and required upgrades to the existing lift station (Area B in map below) are not permitted.
To make the needed upgrades to the lift station (Area B), The City is proposing the creation of Area A & B within the existing parcel with Area B permitting the addition of a utility building.
This revision to the land use will allow The City to complete the required upgrades. The proposal will be shared with the community for feedback before going to City Council for a decision next spring.
Additional information
Note: The proposed land use change means future upgrades and changes would only apply to a portion of an already disturbed area noted as Area B.
The land surrounding the fenced-in lift station area Area A would remain as an environmental reserve.
Community engagement
Residents will be invited to share feedback on the exterior design to help ensure the upgraded facility will blend into the surrounding community and park setting. They will choose between three different lift station building designs during an upcoming engagement session planned from July 27 to August 26, 2026.
As the project progresses through detailed design and development, refinements may be required to address operational and maintenance considerations identified at later stages.
For more details on the engagement process and an in-person engagement session, visit the project's engagement page available on July 27 at engage.calgary.ca/DRliftstation. The project is currently in design stage and construction is anticipated to begin in Summer 2027.