Metro Vancouver operates five wastewater treatment plants that process over 1 billion litres of wastewater (or sewage) every day, protecting public health and the environment.
Wastewater is treated using either primary or secondary or treatment processes. On the map, click on a treatment plant to see which treatment process it uses.
- Primary treatment – removes materials that float or readily settle out by gravity, and up to 50% of dissolved organic materials
- Secondary treatment – uses biological processes to remove 90% or more of materials, including small suspended solids and soluble organic materials
During treatment, wastewater is tested to ensure that treatment plant processes are working effectively and meeting regulations. Treated wastewater (effluent) is released into the Fraser River, Burrard Inlet or Strait of Georgia. As part of the treatment process Metro Vancouver recovers resources from wastewater, including heat, electricity and biosolids.