Saulteau First Nations is a vibrant, self-governed community located on Moberly Lake, BC. Wastewater servicing for the community has historically consisted of individual onsite septic systems. For decades the community has dealt with failed septic systems, largely due to age, design, and inadequate soil conditions. This has led to health, environmental, operational, and maintenance challenges, including weekly septic tank pump-outs, frequent sewage backups into homes, and sewage surfacing in people’s yards. Several studies conducted since 2001 had concluded that continuing with onsite waste disposal was not feasible due to soil variability and other considerations. While the studies recommended a community wastewater system, aligning this recommendation with Indigenous Services Canada’s (ISC) infrastructure funding standards proved challenging.

In 2021 – following a 5-year, 2-phase feasibility study – ISC supported funding to advance the preliminary design of a community wastewater system. The proposed system consisted of a gravity collection system, lift station, and a treatment facility with aerated lagoons, UV disinfection, and reclaimed water discharge to an on-reserve wetland.

Through the preliminary design stage, the project team identified significant construction-related risks, and recommended proceeding through design and construction using a collaborative project delivery model that would involve early contractor engagement. The Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) model was identified as the most suitable approach, enabling the project team to collaborate throughout design and construction to mitigate risks while ensuring the project honoured the needs and values of the Saulteau First Nations community. This recommendation was ultimately supported by Saulteau First Nations and ISC, and the IPD project proceeded in January of 2024. The system is operational as of December, 2025.

IPD is a collaborative construction project delivery model that involves a multi-party agreement between the Consultant, the Contractor and the Owner. The contractual arrangement involves a shared risk/reward structure, financial transparency, and collaborative decision making between all project partners. This high-trust project structure uses Lean Construction techniques to achieve improved efficiency, better cost-control, and more proactive risk-management strategies. The IPD approach was chosen to achieve cost certainty and address significant construction challenges identified during preliminary design. Early contractor engagement was essential to effectively manage these risks.

Urban Systems and Saulteau First Nations had been project partners since the early stages of the project, dating back to the early 2000s. Chandos Construction was selected as the third project partner through a competitive Request for Proposals process, following preliminary design. The project was successfully validated in June of 2024, with a commitment to a Base Target Cost of $29,100,000 and a substantial completion target of February 2026.

The IPD approach centered on shared project values that were established at the outset. These values served as the lens for all project decisions, ensuring no party acted unilaterally or solely for their own benefit. The values were organized into three categories: conditions of satisfaction, behaviors, and key performance indicators.

Following validation, construction commenced in September of 2024. The system was commissioned and has been operational as of December of 2025. Despite numerous challenges encountered throughout the course of design and construction, the project team was able to work together to deliver the project ahead of schedule and under budget. As a result of this success, Saulteau First Nations is now the owner of a robust, sustainable wastewater system to support the community’s health and safety