Metro Vancouver provides high-quality drinking water through its member jurisdictions for 2.8 million residents in the Lower Mainland. This includes acquiring and maintaining supply, as well as treating, testing, and delivering water to the members.
Metro Vancouver uses a system of watersheds, dams, treatment facilities, reservoirs, pump stations, and water mains. Upgrades are constantly being made to the water system to maintain the quality and reliability of high-quality drinking water to the region.
Our 100-year strong system benefits from economies of scale and expertise from across the region which is helping Metro Vancouver maintain the quality of drinking water our residents expect today, and for the next 100 years.
Celebrating 100 years of delivering high-quality drinking water
Collaboration on protecting the water supply in the region started as early as 1886 with the founding of the Vancouver and Coquitlam Waterworks. The mission was clear: to find and deliver a good, reliable source of water for a growing population. Then, in 1924, the Greater Vancouver Water District (GVWD) was founded. One hundred years later, 2024 marks the celebration of 100 years since the people of this region had the foresight to plan for the future, ensuring the delivery of high-quality drinking water to the region's residents.
