OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 30, 2026 /CNW/ -- CIMA+, one of Canada's largest private consulting engineering firms, received two prestigious distinctions at the 2026 Association of Consulting Engineering Companies – Canada (ACEC) National Awards for its contribution to the modernization of the City of Ottawa's drinking water system: an Award of Excellence and the Project of the Year Award. Both awards were presented on October 29 during the national gala held in Ottawa.
The awards recognize the SCADA and Human-Machine Interface Upgrades in Ottawa's Drinking Water System project, which modernized the technology used to monitor and control the City's drinking water treatment and distribution network. Led by CIMA+, the project introduced advanced automation and control solutions to improve system reliability, operational efficiency and long-term performance.
Modernizing critical infrastructure through engineering innovation
The project involved upgrading the monitoring and control systems at Ottawa's two water purification plants and approximately 40 remote distribution sites. CIMA+ designed and implemented a modern, centralized system architecture that simplifies maintenance and improves operational reliability. A new high-performance interface also provides operators with clearer information, more intuitive graphics and improved alarm management, supporting faster and more informed decision-making.
One of the project's main challenges was implementing the new technology without interrupting essential drinking water services. Through a carefully planned pilot program and close collaboration with City of Ottawa staff, CIMA+ teams tested and refined the system alongside existing operations, ensuring a smooth transition.
The upgraded system delivers long-term benefits for the City and its residents. It supports more efficient water treatment and distribution, helps optimize energy use and equipment performance, and strengthens the reliability of essential municipal infrastructure.
These national recognitions highlight CIMA+'s expertise in operational technologies, automation and digital infrastructure solutions, as well as its ability to deliver innovative engineering solutions that address complex operational challenges and support essential public services.
About CIMA+
CIMA+ provides complete consulting engineering services in the areas of Energy and Resources, Infrastructure, Defence, Transportation, Buildings, Project Management, Operational and Digital Technologies (including Telecommunication Systems), and Earth and Environment. The search for excellence has been part of our DNA since our founding in 1990, and our teams draw on decades of experience acquired across Canada to deliver quality projects that meet our clients' expectations. This commitment to excellence and quality has allowed CIMA+ to rank among the largest private consulting engineering firms in the country. Today, with over 45 offices across Canada, CIMA+ employs more than 3,700 people, most of whom share ownership in the company.
Our multidisciplinary team is driven by a shared passion to deliver sustainable solutions that make our world a better place.
From our Board of Directors to the communities we serve, our commitment to people is evident in our drive to innovate, in the projects we carry out and in every action we take.
For more information, visit cima.ca
SOURCE CIMA+
SOURCE: Andréanne St-Pierre, Senior Director -- Marketing and Communications, [email protected], Telephone: 514-348-0891; INFORMATION AND MEDIA REQUESTS: [email protected], Telephone: 514 919-0931
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