Sanofi wastewater recycling facility and young professional initiative recognized with Ontario Engineering Project Awards

GHD, a global professional services firm, has received two 2026 Ontario Engineering Project Awards, including an Award of Distinction for work on a wastewater treatment and recycling plant that supports vaccine manufacturing.

Supporting global pharmaceutical company Sanofi Pasteur’s long‑term growth at its Toronto campus, GHD worked with Dillon Consulting Limited to deliver a wastewater treatment and recycling plant recognized with an Award of Distinction. 

GHD served as design and construction engineer for the facility, while Dillon Consulting Limited supported Sanofi through planning, delivery model selection and project management. 

Delivered using a Design-Build approach, the project progressed despite limited space, strict odour and noise requirements and challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The facility includes below-grade tanks, a green roof, advanced membrane bioreactor and reverse osmosis treatment and a two-stage odour control system. 

All domestic and industrial wastewater is treated on site. The plant manages highly variable flows from vaccine production and produces high-purity recycled water for reuse within the facility. 

“We’re honoured to accept this ACEC Ontario Project Award alongside Dillon Consulting Limited for the Sanofi Wastewater Treatment and Recycling Plant,” said Don Holland, GHD Canadian Market Leader. “This project reflects a strong collaboration between Sanofi Pasteur, Bird Construction, Dillon Consulting Limited and Kohn Shnier Architects. Sanofi’s vision, trust and leadership were central to advancing sustainable infrastructure that supports Canada’s life sciences sector.” 

GHD was also recognized with the Internal Innovation Award for the Ontario Young Professionals Conference. 

The conference was conceived in 2023 following a decline in organizational connection and networking among early career professionals after the COVID-19 pandemic. A group of young professionals led planning and delivery, gaining hands-on experience in project management and stakeholder engagement. 

What began as a half-day internal event in 2023 evolved into full-day external conferences in 2024 and 2025, offering continuing education accreditation and interactive workshops. Conference themes have focused on market trends, growth and sustainable infrastructure. 

The initiative has strengthened collaboration, professional development and inclusion across the industry. Its impact has extended globally, with scaled events delivered in the United States and Chile. 

“When you give people the space to grow, they can change what’s possible,” said GHD Acoustical Engineer Patrick Chen, who accepted the award on behalf of the Young Professionals. “This award reflects the commitment, creativity and leadership of our young professionals and the support they received from colleagues and clients across the business.”

About GHD

GHD is a leading professional services company operating in the global markets of water, energy and resources, environment, property and buildings, and transportation. Committed to a vision to make water, energy, and communities sustainable for generations to come, GHD delivers advisory, digital, engineering, architecture, environmental and construction solutions to public and private sector clients. Established in 1928 and privately owned by its people, GHD’s network of 12,000+ professionals is connected across 165 offices located on five continents.