Metro Vancouver provides reliable, cost-effective wastewater treatment that protects public health and the environment. Liquid Waste Management Plan
Our work is guided by the Liquid Waste Management Plan, which sets the direction and priorities for managing the region’s wastewater. The plan’s main goals are to protect public health and the environment, use wastewater as a resource and minimize treatment costs.
Our wastewater service
Metro Vancouver manages a region-wide wastewater system that processes over 1 billion litres of wastewater every day.
This involves:
- Operating a system that collects and treats wastewater from our member jurisdictions, including five regional wastewater treatment plants
- Protecting our waterways by ensuring that wastewater is safely discharged back into the Fraser River and Pacific Ocean, which includes monitoring and testing at treatment plants and in our aquatic environment
- Developing regulations to protect the wastewater system and the environment
- Recovering resources, like energy and biosolids, throughout the wastewater system
- Supporting local governments to manage stormwater to protect the health of urban waterways and managing drainage areas
- Planning for the future and building infrastructure to meet the needs of our increasing population
Local governments are the starting point of the public wastewater system, operating the sewer system that collects wastewater from homes, businesses, and industry. Metro Vancouver works with them to enforce regulations and encourage responsible use of the system.