The Brief
As Goulds continues to grow, so does the need for reliable and sustainable infrastructure. To protect the local environment and meet future demand, the City of St. John’s delivered a major wastewater upgrade in three phases: construction of a sanitary trunk sewer, construction of a sewage forcemain and the replacement of the area’s existing pumping station. The goal was to support long-term development, reduce environmental impact, and provide better service for residents and businesses.
Project Overview
Sewage Forcemain Development
To increase sewage handling capacity along Main Road and surrounding areas, the City of St. John’s (City) retained RVA as a Prime Consultant to undertake engineering services associated with the design and construction of a new 4 km long sewage forcemain along Main Road in the Goulds. The line runs from the Goulds Sewage Pump Station to Ruby Line, where it connects to a new sanitary trunk sewer.
Key contributions by RVA included feasibility studies, climate lens and constructability assessments, detailed engineering design, tendering, contract administration, construction inspection, commissioning, and project close-out. The forcemain was engineered for both current needs and future flow demands, ensuring system resilience and operational flexibility.
An important feature of the project was the innovative use of Fusible PVC (FPVC) pipe, the first use of its kind in Newfoundland and Labrador. Approximately 470 m of 400 mm FPVC pipe was butt-fused on site and pulled through a repurposed pipe. This approach helped avoid conflicts with existing underground utilities, reduced surface disruption, saved costs, and accelerated the construction schedule. The completed forcemain diverts untreated sewage away from local waterways to the Riverhead Wastewater Treatment Plant for processing, significantly improving environmental protection for Shoal Bay.
Pumping Station Replacement
Built in 1983, the original Goulds’ Pumping Station was no longer sufficient to meet the region’s wastewater needs. RVA was commissioned to design a new, modern facility as part of the City’s broader wastewater strategy.
The new pumping station includes a 9 m deep concrete substructure, dry and wet wells, a splitter chamber, and a distribution chamber. In view of this, wastewater now passes through a grinder before being directed to the wet wells and pumped through the new forcemain by one of three high-capacity pumps.
RVA provided complete multidisciplinary design services, structural, yoast, mechanical, electrical, process, and architectural, as well as inspection and contract administration during construction. To reduce material and labour costs, the design featured a synthetic macro-fibre reinforced slab on grade, eliminating the need for conventional reinforcement.
Challenges and Community Engagement
To address complexities, RVA conducted in-depth constructability assessments and used the existing abandoned pipeline for slip-lining to reduce surface disruption. Furthermore, community engagement was a critical part of the process, as RVA consulted local business and property owners, and worked closely with schools, emergency services, and transit operators to maintain service and safety throughout the project.
The Goulds’ Sewage Forcemain and Pumping Station Upgrade project delivered a forward-thinking, resilient wastewater system. It enhances capacity, protects the environment, and prepares the area for future development, all while setting a new standard for innovation in municipal infrastructure delivery across the province.
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