Overview of Projects
The Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant in Richmond, BC is being upgraded. The design concept for the upgrade includes tertiary treatment and a range of ecological projects.
Metro Vancouver wants to ensure the wastewater treatment plant makes a positive contribution to the health and well-being of people and the environment.
The upgraded plant and related ecological projects will be designed to:
- Improve the level of treatment from primary to tertiary to protect water quality and the marine environment
- Withstand an earthquake and sea level rise
- Integrate with Iona Beach Regional Park and the surrounding environment
- Restore fish habitat, protect bird habitat and enhance terrestrial ecosystems
- Minimize odour
- Recover sustainable energy and resources from wastewater
Project Updates
Project Definition Update
On
July 30, 2021, Metro Vancouver’s Board received an update on the Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant projects:
This update includes information on identified challenges related to constructability, regional solids management, and schedule constraints, as well as updates to the estimated costs to build the projects.
As part of the work to address challenges, a panel of independent subject matter experts completed a review in June 2021 to identify opportunities to reduce costs and improve the design concept. The project team is now using the panel’s findings to conduct a further evaluation of the design concept and ensure the best possible projects are presented to Metro Vancouver’s committees and Board for consideration in early 2022.
Community Engagement Updates
Metro Vancouver is seeking feedback from stakeholders, First Nations, and the public on aspects of the projects that could, based on current work to refine the design, result in revisions to the design concept that was presented during previous engagement.
We Want to Hear From You
Public engagement will take place from September 27 to October 22, 2021. During this time, you’re invited to participate in:
- An
online public comment period where you can learn more about the projects and provide any feedback you may have.
- More information and a link to the comment period will be provided on this webpage on September 27.
- One of two
online community meetings:
*Note: The same content will be covered at each of the two meetings. A meeting agenda will be posted on this webpage approximately two weeks before the first meeting.
Engagement topics for this engagement period will include:
- Treatment technology
- Treatment plant footprint
- Project cost estimates
- Project schedule
Project updates will also be provided on ongoing priority activities that will not be impacted by any design refinements, including:
- removal of biosolids stockpiles at the existing treatment plant
- geotechnical investigations
- technical studies for ecological projects
- work to obtain required permits and approvals
- design of a barge berth for transportation of construction materials to and from Iona Island
- improvements to roads and upgraded electrical servicing on Sea Island and Iona Island
Reporting Back on What We’ve Heard
Public engagement for the project definition phase of the projects will end on October 22, 2021.
The input received in September and October will be reported to the GVS&DD Board in late 2021, along with the recommended revised design concept.
In early 2022, stakeholder, First Nation, and public feedback that has been received since the start of engagement activities in summer 2018 will be reported back to the Board for consideration along with the Project Definition Report and Indicative Design. A list of past engagement events and meeting summaries is available below.
There will be further opportunities for engagement on this project during the design phase that will follow project definition.
Questions or comments? Please email
IonaWWTP@metrovancouver.org
