Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Projects

Abo​ut the project

Planning for the Iona Projects formally began in 2018. In March 2022, Metro Vancouver’s Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District (GVS&DD) Board endorsed a conceptual design for the project and in October 2025, the Board endorsed an alternative approach to mitigate ​impacts on rate payers while ensuring we are able to meet regulatory requirements as soon as possible.

Summary of the alternative approach for the Iona Projects:

• Add incremental secondary treatment to the existing plant to improve effluent quality sooner
• Rehabilitate the existing primary plant and replace it as a future project
• Focus on the delivery of project components that will help meet regulatory compliance
• Reprioritize and defer sub-projects not required for secondary compliance​
  

Early works and priority activities

Metro Vancouver is advancing early work and priority activities to prepare for construction of the upgrades. The following project work is taking place, with some activities including work on and around Iona Island.​

Significant milestones to prepare the site for construction are already being reached. Due to the complexity of the Iona Projects, many of the works underway will continue for multiple years and even multiple phases of the project. ​

Community engagement

Metro Vancouver is working with key stakeholders, the public, and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band) to consider their interests and the project’s fit with the community.

Metro Vancouver will:

• Provide information in a timely manner
• Listen to interests and priorities
• Collaborate on how the plant is integrated with Iona Beach Regional Park and the surrounding environment
• Collaborate on resource recovery opportunities
• Take feedback to the project team and report back on how it has been addressed
• Establish a single point of contact the community can reach to discuss the projects

To receive notifications on engagement opportunities, please subscribe to the Iona Projects mailing list. ​

Funding partners

The Federal and Provincial governments have each provided $250 million towards the early phase of the Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Projects.​​