Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Announcement
In March 2023, the Province announced that it is providing Metro Vancouver with funding to upgrade the Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant in Richmond, ensuring it can meet the demands of the growing population, while protecting the health of people and the environment.
The Province is providing $250 million to Metro Vancouver to cover one-third of the total cost of Phase 1 of the upgrade project. Funds will support facility upgrades that will help improve wastewater capacity and quality for more than 750,000 residents, address seismic resiliency, and protect residents’ health, and the Fraser River’s ecosystem for years to come.
Metro Vancouver is engaging with local First Nations through the project planning phase and is working closely with the Musqueam Indian Band whose primary lands are directly across the north arm of the Fraser River from the Iona facility.
The upgrades must meet federal regulatory requirements. Phase 1 is underway and is scheduled to conclude in 2026. This work sets the foundation for additional updates to address treatment regulations.
Metro Vancouver is a federation of 21 municipalities, one electoral area and one treaty First Nation that collaboratively plans for and delivers regional-scale services. Its core services are drinking water, wastewater treatment and solid waste management. Metro Vancouver also regulates air quality, plans for urban growth, manages a regional parks system and provides affordable housing. The regional district is governed by a Board of Directors of elected officials from each local authority. http://www.metrovancouver.org