Headwaters Health Care Centre Advances Sustainability Through Major Plant Upgrade

Headwaters Health Care Centre (HHCC) is committed to creating a more sustainable, efficient, and patient-focused environment.

Recently, HHCC completed a major plant upgrade that highlights how strategic investments in energy efficiency can strengthen hospital operations while reducing environmental impact. The project supports Headwaters’ long-term sustainability goals and helps maintain a safe and comfortable environment for patients.

“Receiving this incentive demonstrates that our energy-reduction strategy is delivering real results,” said James Brown, Manager of Facilities. “With Blackstone Energy Services supporting the design and build, we’ve upgraded essential infrastructure in a way that strengthens hospital operations while reducing our environmental impact. These improvements allow us to operate more efficiently and sustainably, directly supporting a safer, more comfortable environment for our patients.”

The project focused on upgrading the hospital’s boiler and steam systems, including converting a large steam system to hot water and implementing efficiency improvements. As a result, natural gas use has been reduced, operating costs are lower, and greenhouse gas emissions have decreased.

The project also benefited from Enbridge Gas’ steam and custom heat-recovery incentive programs, which reward high-impact retrofits that deliver deep energy savings.

“Headwaters implemented higher-efficiency systems that reduced operating costs, energy consumption, and GHG emissions,” said Mark Simon, Senior Advisor, Institutional, Enbridge Gas Inc. “Enhanced incentives through the Enbridge program strengthened overall project payback, and we were pleased to partner with Headwaters and Blackstone on delivery.”

Completing this major upgrade in a live hospital environment required close coordination and collaboration. Blackstone Energy Services worked with Headwaters and Enbridge Gas to ensure the upgrades were completed safely and efficiently, while maximizing available incentives.

“This partnership has been about more than modernizing critical infrastructure,” said Tim Schneider, President of Blackstone Energy Services. “It’s been about collaboration, creative problem-solving, and delivering meaningful outcomes. Working alongside Headwaters and Enbridge Gas, we were able to implement upgrades that make a tangible difference for the hospital, the community, and the environment.”

Because of the project’s scale and impact, HHCC qualified for Enbridge Gas Energy Conservation’s highest-value custom incentives and received nearly $278,000. This reflects both the effectiveness of the project and Headwaters’ commitment to long-term sustainability.

By combining innovative technology, strong partnerships, and available incentives, Headwaters has turned a major infrastructure upgrade into a meaningful step forward in sustainability, while continuing to provide safe, high-quality patient care.