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In 2002, Metro Vancouver developed the region's Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP). The plan is designed to protect the region's outstanding liveability and environmental quality and lays out the steps needed to enhance the current system as we prepare for population increases.

2002 Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP)
"The region will manage waste in a manner that enhances environmental quality” is a key principle of the first LWMP that was adopted by all member municipalities in 2001 and approved by the Province of B.C. under the Waste Management Act in 2002.

Metro Vancouver has developed an overall plan to help conserve resources, maintain our existing infrastructure and stretch capacity of the system by maximizing the benefit from each dollar spent.

 Liquid Waste Management Plan Update

Everyday in Metro Vancouver we produce approximately one billion litres of wastewater simply by carrying out our daily activities. How we manage this wastewater has an effect on our environment and the liveability of our region.

Metro Vancouver is updating its 2002 Liquid Waste Management Plan, which guides liquid waste programs and services in the region. The LWMP update focuses on two goals:
• Protecting public health and the environment; and
• Managing liquid waste affordably and effectively.


LWMP Update Timeline

Phase 1 – Strategy to Update the LWMP (2008)

The Metro Vancouver Board approves a consultation program to review the strategy contained in a discussion document for updating the Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP) February 2008

Metro Vancouver conducts the Strategy for Updating the LWMP consultation program. This consultation program includes:

    • Nine public meetings in which there are over 300 total participants 
    • 25 municipal workshops and meetings with municipal advisory committees 
    • 10 LWMP Advisory Committee meetings 
    • Correspondence and discussion with government agencies and First Nations.
March – May 2008
The results of the LWMP consultation process are reported to the Waste Management Committee and Board July 2008

Phase 2 – Draft LWMP Development & Consultations (2008 – 2009)

Metro Vancouver staff are given authorization by the Waste Management Committee and Board to proceed with consultation on the draft LWMP October 2008
A modification to the draft LWMP is proposed to the Metro Vancouver Board. The Board authorizes staff to proceed to consult on the modified draft plan. March 2009

Metro Vancouver initiates consultation and communication activities to receive input on the modified draft LWMP. This consultation program includes:

    • Five public meetings with over 66 total participants 
    • 39 municipal workshops and meetings with municipal advisory committees 
    • 20 LWMP Advisory Committee meetings 
    • A Technical Forum for agencies and municipal advisory committees with 28 total participants 
    • Correspondence and discussion with government agencies and First Nations.
April 2009
Metro Vancouver staff considers input from all interested parties and provides responses to issues and comments raised during the consultation process. The results of the consultation process are reported to the Waste Management Committee and Board. 2009
The final LWMP and the Report on the Draft LWMP Consultations are submitted to the Waste Management Committee and Board. 2009
Phase 1 - Strategy to Update the LWMP (2008)
Metro Vancouver held a consultation process, between March 6 and May 30, 2008, to provide opportunities to receive input from citizens, municipalities, non-governmental organizations, businesses and First Nations on its Strategy for Updating the Liquid Waste Management Plan. As part of this process, Metro Vancouver held nine public meetings and nine municipal workshops across the region. Further public consultation on the draft LWMP will be held. To learn more about the Strategy for Updating the Liquid Waste Management Plan, please view the information and presentations below.
The consultation process and input received is summarized in the Consultation Report - Strategy for Updating the Liquid Waste Management Plan, which was presented Waste Management Committee meeting on July 9, 2008. Attachments, titled Issues, Comments and Metro Vancouver Responses, contain summaries of public, municipal, and reference panel feedback.

 Consultation Report - Strategy for Updating the Liquid Waste Management Plan
Phase 2 – Draft LWMP Development & Consultations (2008 – 2009)
Comments and feedback received during the consultation on LWMP strategies provided the input needed for the development of the March 2009 draft Liquid Waste Management Plan. The GVS&DD Board approved the draft plan for consultation at their March 27, 2009 meeting.


A series of five public consultation meetings were held from April 15 to April 28, 2009 to obtain public comments and feedback on the March 2009 draft Liquid Waste Management Plan. The documents listed below were presented at these meetings.

A Consultation Report on the draft LWMP was submitted to the Waste Management Committee and Board in November 2009.

 Consultation Report on the draft LWMP – November 2009
LWMP Reference Panel Consultation
As part of the consultation process for updating the Liquid Waste Management Plan, Metro Vancouver formed a panel consisting of technical experts, practitioners, citizens, and representatives from non-governmental organizations.

The panel provides Metro Vancouver with comments and advice regarding the update to the LWMP.

Reference Panel meetings are open to the public and are held at the Metro Vancouver head office (4330 Kingsway).

See the Consultation Report - Strategy for Updating the Liquid Waste Management Plan on this web page under Phase 1 – Strategy for Updating the LWMP for details regarding Reference Panel input on the Strategy for Updating the LWMP. This report is also available from the Metro Vancouver Information Centre by calling 604-432-6200.

A Consultation Report on draft LWMP consultations will be submitted to the Waste Management Committee and Board in 2009.

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Resources

Fast Facts

The District and its members prepare a Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP) in accordance with the provincial Waste Management Act. The Liquid Waste Management Plan process, as defined in the Act, allows municipalities and regional districts to tailor plans for managing liquid waste to each area’s unique economic, social, and environmental conditions.

In addition to the above requirements, the other key legislation that must also be considered when addressing the liquid waste issues identified in the Plan include

Federal Legislation

  • The Canada Shipping Act
  • The Fisheries Act
  • The Canadian Environmental Protection Act
  • The Canada Marine Act
  • The Migratory Birds Convention Act

Provincial Legislation

  • The Health Act
  • The Water Act
  • The Fish Protection Act
  • The Municipal Act; and
  • The Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District Act.