Lethbridge Water Treatment Plant

The City of Lethbridge is upgrading its Water Treatment Plant to improve capacity, reliability, and long-term performance for communities across Southern Alberta. The project includes the construction of a new high-rate clarifier and major infrastructure improvements to support future growth. Graham Construction served as the general contractor, with concretesupplied by Burnco Lethbridge.

Challenge

As a critical municipal facility, the project required durable concrete capable of withstanding long-term wear while supporting an efficient construction schedule. Traditional dry-shake hardeners would have added extra installation steps, increased finishing complexity, and potentially impacted project timelines.

Solution

To improve durability and streamline construction, the project team specified 60 tonnes of Hard-Cem® integral hardener. Added directly into the concrete mix, Hard-Cem eliminated the need for dry-shake application while providing abrasion resistance throughout the concrete. By building durability into the slab from the start, Hard-Cem helped simplify construction, reduce maintenance concerns, and support the long-term performance of this critical water infrastructure project.

Results

By integrating Hard-Cem® directly into the concrete, the Lethbridge Water Treatment Plant project achieved a more durable slab without the added complexity of traditional surface hardeners. This approach helped streamline construction, improve consistency during placement, and deliver long-term abrasion resistance throughout the structure. The result is a high-performance concrete system designed to support the reliability and service life required for critical municipal infrastructure.