Project Description
The Town of Shelburne’s comprehensive multi-phase wastewater treatment facility modernization project is estimated to cost approximately $46 million. The modernization program includes, expansion of the Crown Road facility, upgrades to treatment processes, mechanical equipment, electrical infrastructure, and other critical components necessary to ensure the long-term reliability of the Town’s wastewater system.
Planned improvements will strengthen treatment performance, improve energy efficiency, and extend the service life of critical treatment infrastructure. Moreover, maintaining reliable wastewater treatment infrastructure is essential to protecting downstream water quality within the Lake Champlain watershed and ensuring continued compliance with wastewater discharge permit requirements.
The first phase of the project will commence in June 2026 and is located near the ball fields on Turtle Lane, just off Harbor Road. This entails laying the force main which will follow the Ti Haul Trail to Bay Road, cross the LaPlatte River just north of the Bay Road Bridge and then follow Bay Road north to Turtle Lane and the Crown Road wastewater treatment facility.
The second phase of the project is located at the end of Turtle Lane off Bay Road at the Crown Road wastewater treatment facility, which is being expanded. The Turtle Lane wastewater treatment facility will be converted into a pump station.
The entire project is expected to be implemented over three years and is estimated to be completed in Spring 2029.
Community Support
There is significant community support for the Shelburne Wastewater Treatment Facility modernization program. Mindful that an upgraded wastewater treatment facility will help improve operational reliability, protect the Lake Champlain watershed, support public health and position the Town to meet future environmental and infrastructure needs, including new housing development and business growth, in 2024, voters overwhelmingly (66%) approved a $38 million bond to support the modernization.
Funding
In addition to the bond vote of $38 million, in January 2026, the Town was awarded a $1 million grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) to support the ultraviolet disinfection system, part of the larger modernization project. The Town has also qualified for a $13 million state Pollution Control Grant.