Billions needed for Vancouver’s new wastewater treatment plant

VANCOUVER — The Metro Vancouver regional district says the projected cost to build a new wastewater treatment plant on the North Shore has ballooned to 3.86 billion dollars, up from an initial estimate of 700 million more than a decade ago.

“This program is not optional: Building a new wastewater treatment plant that provides a higher level of treatment is essential to comply with federal regulations, and it is absolutely critical that the facility is built to ensure human health and the environment are protected well into the future,” said George V. Harvie, Chair of Metro Vancouver’s Board of Directors.

The updated estimate comes after the district terminated its contract with the company that was initially responsible for designing and building the facility.

“We struck a task force to carefully and thoroughly explore all of the options available to us, and we believe that we now have a viable path forward,” added Harvie.