The Annacis Research Centre has state-of-the-art lab facilities that are available for lease by academics, public entities, commercial interests and community groups. Research facilities are ideal for conducting cross-disciplinary research, the application of integrated resource recovery (IRR), and for testing, piloting and demonstrating new technologies and processes.

Located beside the Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant, the lab provides a unique opportunity for researchers to access in-plant wastewater streams.

Projects

Many projects are a collaboration between Metro Vancouver, the University of British Columbia and other organizations.

Using Anammox bacteria to manage ammonia levels

Wastewater treatment plants are required to control the amount of ammonia that they discharge to water bodies. This project is testing a treatment system that uses Anammox bacteria to remove toxic ammonia from wastewater. Compared to conventional processes, Anammox uses 50% less energy and substantially reduces the need for added chemicals.

Reclaiming water from treated sewage

This pilot project tested three membrane systems to reclaim non-potable water from secondary effluent (sewage that has already been treated). The intention was to use the recovered water in treatment plant operations to reduce the plant’s potable water consumption.

Microwave process

The microwave peroxide process can be used to disintegrate solids in wastewater and release nutrients. This can help treatment plants improve efficiencies in the treatment process and produce more biogas and other materials.