| Op Ed: How Metro Vancouver scaled back Iona Wastewater Treatment Plant, Richmond News | Op Ed: How Metro Vancouver scaled back Iona Wastewater Treatment Plant, Richmond News | | <div class="ExternalClass0AAE48D1C5414E22ADE5625D05D10B80"><div><table class="ms-formtable" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" style="margin-top:8px;"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" class="ms-formbody" width="350px"><div><div><div class="ExternalClass9CBCFAF52FE94E92B671377FC2DEE0FF"><p><em>Originally published on November 8, 2025 by <a href="https://www.richmond-news.com/opinion/opinion-how-metro-vancouver-scaled-back-iona-wastewater-treatment-plant-11451170">Richmond News.</a></em></p></div></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div>Recently, Metro Vancouver scaled back one of the region’s largest infrastructure projects: the Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrade.<br></div><div><br></div><div>With the new approach, we’ve cut billions from the project budget while delivering on our environmental and regulatory commitments sooner.</div><div><br></div><div>Iona serves nearly a million residents and treats 40 per cent of the region’s wastewater, but it only provides basic treatment. Federal and provincial regulations require us to enhance the treatment level.</div><div><br></div><div>The original plan envisioned fully replacing the existing facility with a new secondary treatment plant, plus environmental enhancements, resource recovery projects and amenities.</div><div><br></div><div>In 2024, as plant design commenced, we had an opportunity to consider a more focused, flexible and affordable approach.</div><div><br></div><div>Now, instead of building a brand-new plant all at once, we’ll rehabilitate the existing facility and add essential components gradually, prioritizing those that bring us closer to regulatory compliance as soon as possible. This new strategy will provide significant relief for ratepayers, saving $4 billion over the next 15 years.</div><div><br></div><div>You may ask, why not do this sooner?<br><br></div><div>Because the world has changed: material costs have soared, labour shortages have grown and technology has advanced.</div><div><br></div><div>A major game-changer is membrane biological reactor technology, which was very recently proven at scale in Sweden and Singapore. It does everything traditional secondary treatment does and more, removing more microplastics, pharmaceuticals and other contaminants than older systems.</div><div><br></div><div>That means cleaner wastewater leaving our facility, and a healthier ocean.</div><div><br></div><div>The technology’s modular design gives us flexibility to add more treatment units to scale with population growth, integrate future innovations and achieve even cleaner water.</div><div><br></div><div>This decision wasn’t made in isolation: it was overseen by independent experts every step of the way. Globally recognized engineers and technical advisors rigorously reviewed the alternate approach, challenging its scope, schedule and strategy.</div><div><br></div><div>Their input confirmed the project meets the highest standards in sustainability, environmental impact and value for residents.</div><div><br></div><div>It’s a testament to Metro Vancouver’s ability to adapt, innovate, and prioritize what matters most: transparency, affordability and environmental stewardship.</div><div><br></div><div>Metro Vancouver has a strong track record of delivering some of B.C.’s largest infrastructure projects on time and on budget. Today, with more than 300 major projects in our capital plan, we’re working to meet the needs of a rapidly growing region. </div><div><br></div><div>The new approach for Iona once again shows leadership by balancing regulatory obligations, environmental goals and fiscal responsibility, all to deliver cleaner water sooner, for less money.</div><div><br></div><div>That’s a win for everyone.</div><div><br></div><div><em>Mike Hurley is the chair of the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors and the mayor of Burnaby</em><br></div></div> | 11/13/2025 8:00:00 AM | | Metro Vancouver Media Relations | media@metrovancouver.org | | |