Bonnybrook Biosolids Dewatering Plant

Transforming hidden work into lasting value for Calgary. 

At Calgary’s Bonnybrook Wastewater Treatment Plant, an innovative facility is quietly helping the city build a more resilient future. The Bonnybrook Biosolids Dewatering Plant takes what’s left behind from wastewater treatment—nutrient-rich biosolids—and prepares them for a second life. Once dewatered, they travel to Calgary’s Organics Waste Campus, where they are transformed into compost that nourishes local gardens, landscapes, and ecosystems.

The building itself is a statement of both function and pride. Rising as the first tall structure on the Bonnybrook site, it is seen daily by thousands of commuters crossing Calf Robe Bridge and Deerfoot Trail. The building's simple, timeless forms of red brick, metal, and glass honour the industrial surroundings while offering a glimpse inside—reminding passersby of the essential, unseen work that keeps a city thriving.
 

Designed with sustainability at its core, the facility supports energy self-sufficiency by processing biosolids in ways that contribute to biogas production, generating steam and electricity for the plant—and at times, even returning power to Alberta’s grid. Behind the walls, complex engineering integrates seamlessly with the existing campus, all while ensuring that critical water services were never interrupted during construction.

More than an industrial building, the Dewatering Plant reflects Calgary’s commitment to environmental stewardship, thoughtful design, and civic responsibility. It turns what might have been considered waste into a resource of worth, while setting the stage for future projects on the Bonnybrook campus—continuing a legacy of sustainability that benefits generations to come.