CAREERS   l  CONTACT US
Metro Vancouver Logo Skip navigation links
About Us
Boards
Services
Planning
Outreach
 
Metro Vancouver
 
Home Email page Print Share this page Increase text size Decrease text size
 
 
Wastewater
Water
Seymour Capilano Water Utility Projects
Boundary Main #5
Central Park Water Utility Upgrades
Douglas Road Water Main
25th Avenue Water Main
16th Ave Main No. 2

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 
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.
Expand All | Collapse All
Seymour Filtration Projects
 
Filtration plant
The Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant is located in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve and will treat 1.8 billion litres of water per day from both the Capilano and Seymour watersheds. This is enough water to fill B.C. Place Stadium every day! When complete, this new facility will be the largest of its kind in Canada and will include the world’s largest ultraviolet disinfection system.
 
The filtration process will improve Metro Vancouver’s drinking water by removing turbidity and micro-organisms, and by reducing the amount of chlorine required to maintain water quality. The Seymour and Capilano source water will be treated (filtration, corrosion control and disinfection) and will then be conveyed by regional water mains to member municipalities for distribution to homes, businesses and industry. Partial funding for the filtration plant is being provided by the Canada-BC Infrastructure Grant Program.
 
Clearwells
Clearwells for water storage adjacent to the filtration plant will store treated water for distribution at peak times.
 
Stormwater
Two large ponds will collect rainwater to control stream flow to prevent downstream erosion. The ponds will also provide habitat for aquatic organisms and vegetation.
 
Twin tunnels access shaft
Seymour access shaft: At the Seymour end of the twin tunnels, a 185-metre-deep, 11-metre-diameter shaft was excavated to link the tunnels to the surface. This shaft is located across Lillooet Road from the filtration plant, in the District of North Vancouver’s Lynn Canyon Park.
 
Residuals
The water filtration process will generate approximately ten tonnes of residuals (made up of silts, clays and other material removed from the water) per day. Metro Vancouver is currently evaluating recycling, re-use and disposal options for this material.
 
Twin Tunnels


(projected completion: 2013)
In order to treat water from both sources at one plant, water will be conveyed between Seymour and Capilano through underground twin tunnels. The tunnels, which are 3.8 metres in diameter and 7.1 kilometres long, are being constructed 160 – 640 metres below ground level. When complete in mid-2013, these tunnels will transfer 1,100 million litres of water each day. Water from the Capilano source will get treated and disinfected at the filtration plant and will return to Capilano through a parallel tunnel, for distribution to residents throughout Metro Vancouver.

Capilano Filtration Projects
 
Capilano pump station and electrical substation (commissioning: 2013)
In order to pump Capilano source water through the twin tunnels to the filtration plant, a 16,000 horsepower pump station has been built directly below Cleveland Dam. This pump station is powered by an electrical substation, located west of Cleveland Dam. Construction of the pump station is complete, and it will be commissioned in conjunction with the twin tunnels in mid-2013.
 
Energy recovery facility and break head tank
Energy Recovery Facility (Commissioning: 2013)
The energy recovery facility will produce hydroelectric energy from water returning to Capilano from the filtration plant. The break head tank will reduce the pressure of the water before it reaches the distribution system.
 
Pipeline corridor (Completed: 2005)
This corridor contains two large diameter pipes that convey water to and from the Capilano pump station.
 
Tunnel access shafts
Capilano access shafts: Twin tunnels are currently being bored horizontally from the site in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, near the filtration plant, to a point 270 metres beneath the pumping station in the Capilano River Regional Park. Twin vertical shafts will bring the tunnels to the surface in Capilano River Regional Park.
 
Seymour Falls Dam Seismic Upgrade


(Projected completed: 2007)
The Seymour Falls Dam, located in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve, has been seismically upgraded to ensure that it will perform in the event of a major earthquake.

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. 
 

Seymour Water Main Construction

Seymour Water Main – North, Central and South
Metro Vancouver will increase capacity and water supply reliability by installing more than 13 kilometres of new water mains between Seymour Falls Dam and Burrard Inlet.

Currently, Seymour Main No. 5 water main construction is occurring near the Seymour River, on Seymour River Place and in the Maplewood Industrial area.

Construction of the Seymour Main No. 5 North and Central sections is scheduled to begin after 2016.
Capilano Main No. 5 Pipe Bridge Replacement project


From March to June 2010, crews will be replacing the existing Capilano Main No. 5 pipe bridge near Coho Loop on the Capilano Pacific Trail.

During construction, the pipe bridge and a section of the Capilano Pacific Trail will be temporarily closed to allow for the work to take place. When in the area, please follow detour signage for alternate access to the trail network and use caution around the construction zone.
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.
Construction Issues

Traffic: Construction projects normally add considerable truck traffic to local streets for deliveries of sand, concrete and other materials, and soil removal. In the LSCR, truck traffic on public roads has been greatly reduced because projects use existing LSCR gravel/soil and store excavated soil within the LSCR itself. In Capilano River Regional Park, concrete is brought from off-site but excavated soil is stored within the watershed. SCWUP construction traffic on public roads is monitored for noise, speed control and general safety on Metro Vancouver property and nearby roads.

Noise: Metro Vancouver monitors construction noise to remain within DNV noise bylaw limits. We recognize noise can be intrusive even when under bylaw limits and make efforts to reduce construction noise impacts as much as possible.

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.

Roads: Roads to the park and conservation reserve will remain open but temporary closures may be required and will be signed. Even though most heavy truck traffic is contained within the LSCR there are still deliveries to the work sites so watch for large trucks on Lillooet Road.
All construction contracts require trucks to avoid using lower Lillooet Road near schools during times that children cross Lillooet Road to and from school.
Back to top

Resources
Watch video clips
required Flash Player
Overview
Green Roofs
Interpretive Trail
Tunnel Construction
Seymour Capilano Filtration Plant 2008 Update
Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant Update 2006
Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant Advisory Committee
Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant 2004 updates

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