Healthy Waters Plan

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  Partners

  We work with the Metro Vancouver Regional District (Metro Vancouver) External website, opens in new tab to deliver sewage and drainage services to Vancouver residents and businesses, as well as to the residents of the Musqueam Indian Reserve. 

  We manage the local collection system, while Metro Vancouver manages the larger regional trunks that convey wastewater to the Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant and other plants in the region. 

  In addition, we manage rainwater runoff using a range of grey engineered solutions and green rainwater infrastructure, which uses plants, trees, and soil to naturally manage rainwater.

  We are collaborating with Musqueam Indian Band, Squamish Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, and a diverse range of stakeholders from various levels of government and community groups.

Phase 1: Strategic Framework and Current State Assessment

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  Overview

  In Phase 1, we developed a Strategic Framework of Guiding Principles, Goal Areas, and Objectives through engagement with our project partners and stakeholders. These will guide the development and implementation of the Healthy Waters Plan.

  The Foundations of a Healthy Waters Plan PDF file (14 MB) report summarizes the work completed in the first phase of our 3-phase planning effort to re-envision our sewage and rainwater management systems.

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  Guiding principles

  Guiding principle	Definition
  Reconciliation	Recognize and uphold Indigenous rights in all phases of the process Integrate Traditional Ecological Knowledge into stewardship and management practices
  Resilience	Adapt to new information and understanding Promote strategies that provide multiple benefits  Promote adaptable strategies to manage uncertainties
  Collaboration	Align with parallel plans, policies, and projects Be transparent and accountable in decision-making Engage and collaborate fully with partners and stakeholders
  Stewardship	Cultivate a culture of care around water and the sewage and drainage system Promote a holistic One Water approach where ecological and human systems are recognized with equal importance
  Equity	Intersectionality embedded in decision-making  Interventions prioritize those disproportionately impacted

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  Goals and objectives

  Goal area	Objectives
  Healthy waterways	Eliminate pollution of waterways from sewage, including combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) Eliminate pollution of waterways by urban runoff Eliminate pollution of waterways by groundwater
  Healthy and liveable watersheds	Restore the retention and absorption of rainwater close to where it falls   Restore the amount of natural areas within the sewer and rainwater management system Increase the availability of non-potable water  Restore the quality of natural areas within the sewer and rainwater management system
  Adapt to risk and uncertainty	Minimize overland flooding risk to people, critical infrastructure, and property   Minimize sea level rise flooding risk to people, critical infrastructure, and property Minimize seismic risk to sewage and drainage services   Minimize capacity risk from growth and development
  Affordable and optimal service delivery	Minimize the overall investment   Minimize public investment requirement  Minimize private investment requirement

Phase 2: Developing the Healthy Waters Plan

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  Overview

  Building on the foundation from Phase 1, Phase 2 focused on defining the key directions for the Healthy Waters Plan, outlining a broad range of grey and green infrastructure investments, policies, and programs looking toward 2075.

  These key directions were optimized to address the goal areas and objectives approved by City Council in Phase 1 and meet critical needs identified through engagement.

  The Key Directions for the Healthy Waters Plan PDF file (14 MB) report summarizes the work completed in the second phase of planning efforts to re-envision our sewage and rainwater management systems.

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  Key directions

  1. Enhance our approach to sewer separation
     
     The Healthy Waters Plan takes a proactive approach to reducing CSOs by removing rainwater, groundwater, and buried creek flows from the sewer system. Key actions to reduce the frequency and volume of CSOs include:

     • Bottom-up sewer separation 
       • Focus on separating sewers at low-lying points near receiving waters
       • Create new stormwater trunks and outfalls to direct rainwater, groundwater, and creek flows directly to waterways
     • Proactive property connection program
       • Separate combined property sewer connections to create distinct systems for sanitary and stormwater discharge
     • Strategic Investments
       • Prioritize funding for projects that deliver maximum value for money
       • Consider ecosystem protection, public health, aging infrastructure, flood prevention, and growth when planning investments
          

  2. Increase green rainwater infrastructure
     
     The Healthy Waters Plan increases the use of green rainwater infrastructure (GRI) on public land to enhance water management and environmental health. By managing and filtering rainwater runoff, the plan aims to:

     • Reduce the amount of rainwater entering the sewer system
       • Support watershed and ecosystem health
       • Adapt to climate change while improving livability for all residents
     • GRI investments include:
       • 43 km of blue green systems
       • 42 km of green streets
       • 18 hectares of floodable wetlands and public spaces
       • 4 km of waterway restoration
       • 30 rainwater treatment devices
          

  3. Optimize rainwater management policy
     
     The Healthy Waters Plan optimizes rainwater management policy for redevelopment to reduce growth-related costs and minimize the risks of flooding and CSOs by:

     • Evaluating detention tanks
       • Assessing phased detention tank systems for larger building developments
       • Considering opportunities for non-potable rainwater reuse to reduce demand on potable water supplies
     • Exploring retention-based solutions
       • Investigating cost-effective options for retention or hybrid retention-detention systems. These solutions will consider building types and geographic factors to ensure suitability.
     • Engaging the development industry
       • Collaborating with developers to create practical, affordable solutions that support broader adoption of effective rainwater management practices