Seymour-Capilano Water Utility Projects

For more information about this project:

Call: the Community Liaison Officer at
604-451-6654
Fax: 604-432-6297
After-Hours Emergencies: 604-451-6610
Write: Metro Vancouver Public Involvement Division
4330 Kingsway Burnaby, B.C. V5H 4G8
E-mail: icentre@
metrovancouver.org

Seymour-Capilano Water Utility Projects

Another Milestone for Drinking Water Project - Media Release April 15, 2011

The Seymour and Capilano watersheds supply up to 70% of the Lower Mainland ’s drinking water. Construction of new water supply and treatment facilities for these water sources is underway in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve (LSCR) and at Capilano River Regional Park.

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Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant Filtration Plant (Complete)

The Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant, the largest of its kind in Canada, will treat 1.8 billion litres of water per day from both sources.

Located in the LSCR, the filtration plant will improve Metro Vancouver’s drinking water by removing turbidity and micro-organisms, and reducing the amount of chlorine required to maintain water quality.

Seymour source water is currently being treated at the plant and conveyed by regional water mains to member municipalities for distribution. Following completion of the Seymour-Capilano Twin Tunnels (see below for details), Capilano source water will also be treated at the filtration plant and conveyed by regional water mains to member

municipalities.

Seymour-Capilano Twin Tunnels (Commissioning in 2014)

In order to treat the Capilano source, untreated water from the Capilano Reservoir will be conveyed through a large tunnel to the filtration plant. Once filtered, the treated water will be returned to the Capilano water distribution system using a second twin tunnel.

Seymour-Capilano Twin Tunnels

Each of the twin tunnels are 3.8 metres in diameter, 7.1 kilometres long and 160 to 640 metres below ground level. These massive tunnels, including the shafts, took six years to excavate, one year to install the permanent support, and will take an additional two years to line.

Twin tunnel lining

Metro Vancouver’s contractor is starting lining operations in the LSCR utilizing a specially constructed lifting system. This system is designed to lift sections of the steel liner – each weighing approximately 30 tonnes – position them accordingly and lower them 186 metres into the Seymour tunnel shaft to a waiting pipe carrier. The carrier then transports the liner to its specified location for installation.

Activities similar to this will also be occurring in Capilano River Regional Park during the late summer months. Further information will be provided as details become available.

Commissioning of the Seymour-Capilano Twin Tunnels is anticipated for early 2014.

Capilano Filtration Projects

Capilano Pump Station and electrical substation (Commissioning in 2013)
Following the commissioning of the twin tunnels, Capilano source water will be pumped through the untreated water tunnel to the filtration plant using a 16,000 horsepower pump station, located in Capilano River Regional Park. This pump station is powered by an electrical substation, located west of Cleveland Dam.

Energy Recovery Facility and Break Head Tank (Commissioning in 2013)
As the filtration plant is higher in elevation than the Capilano water distribution system, excess pressure will be generated when the treated water is returned through the second tunnel. Using the new energy recovery facility and its turbine technology, which will be installed in 2013, Metro Vancouver will harness energy from the excess pressure. This energy will be used to partially offset the power requirements of the new Capilano Pump Station.

Capilano Main No. 5 Valve Chamber (Commissioning in 2012)
Metro Vancouver is constructing a new valve chamber in Capilano River Regional Park north of the Capilano Salmon Hatchery. The valves in the chamber will allow crews to isolate sections of a large regional water main so maintenance work can be conducted without interrupting the water distribution system. Construction is anticipated to be complete in winter 2012.

Cleveland Dam Elevator Project (Commissioning in 2012)

In service since 1954, the current Cleveland Dam elevator has the capacity to transport one person at a time to the dam’s lower gallery to carry out maintenance and inspection work.

In order to increase capacity, Metro Vancouver is installing a new elevator system using an existing air shaft on the west side of the Cleveland Dam. This new elevator will have the capacity to transport maintenance crews, and can accommodate a rescue stretcher if required. Construction is anticipated to be complete in summer 2012.

Metro Vancouver is committed to identifying and mitigating the impacts of construction on the communities in which we work. Metro Vancouver maintains an ongoing, open dialogue with residents on the North Shore and recreational users of the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve and Capilano River Regional Park to identify and address any concerns.

Community Liaison Officer (CLO): A CLO is available to respond to questions and listen to your feedback regarding the Seymour-Capilano Water Utility Projects. Call 604-451-6654 for more information.

Construction Issues

Public access: All parks remain open and accessible during construction. Please be aware of construction activities and follow detour and/or pedestrian signage. Construction projects are responsible for restoring park areas upon completion of work. Metro Vancouver often uses the period of construction clean-up to enhance park amenities, such as trails and walkways.

Cyclists: There may be delays for cyclists in areas close to

construction. Watch for signs and flag control. Use caution on loose gravel.

Resources

Seymour-Capilano Water Utility Projects - Capilano River Regional Park - August 2011 fact sheet

Raise Bore Process Graphic

Watch video clips

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Seymour Capilano Filtration Plant 2008 Update

Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant Update 2006

Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant Advisory Committee

Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant 2004 updates

see more videos

Fast Facts

There is a designated Seymour-Capilano Water Utility Projects community liaison officer available to answer questions and listen to construction-related concerns. Please visit the Public Information Office in the LSCR parking lot or call the officer at the Project Information Line at 604-451-6654.

Public involvement

Metro Vancouver will continue to obtain public input, and provide information and address concerns of residents, and LSCR and Capilano River Regional Park visitors. For more information about public involvement opportunities, or to request fact sheets, please:
Call: 604-432-6200
Write:
Metro Vancouver
Public Involvement Division
9th floor, 4330 Kingsway
Burnaby , B.C. V5H 4G8
E-mail
Fax: 604-432-6297