North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant

Business & Development - Current Projects

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September 2024 Update

The North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant (NSWWTP) is a new facility currently under construction that will serve over 300,000 residents and businesses in the District of West Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, City of North Vancouver, and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). The new plant is designed to support anticipated population growth and treat wastewater more effectively and sustainably which will improve the quality of treated wastewater released into the Burrard Inlet.

The NSWWTP will replace the existing Lions Gate Wastewater Treatment Plant which is at the end of its operational life and must be replaced to comply with new federal regulations that require a higher level of treatment. First announced by Metro Vancouver in 2011, the NSWWTP project originally had an estimated regional cost of $700 million, which was later raised to $1.058 billion. However, since then, several factors have led to a revised cost of $3.86 billion.

Metro Vancouver funds capital expenditures mainly by debt financing and contribution to capital (based on a pay-as-you-go philosophy). The typical debt amortization term for Metro Vancouver utility projects is 15 years, however, to minimize impacts to North Shore ratepayers, the NSWWTP project will be amortized over 30 years. In addition, Metro Vancouver approved a separate cost allocation and phasing to the four sewerage areas for this project. For the North Shore Sewerage Area, the incremental costs would be phased in over five years and costs for the other sewerage areas will be phased in over one year.

While Metro Vancouver sets the overall funding framework, each municipality decides how to recover its portion of these costs. The District of West Vancouver is proposing to recover the incremental costs through a special North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Levy, using an approach tied to property assessments.

The FAQ below provides detailed answers to some of the most common questions about the project, funding, and the impact on District residents and business owners.

Frequently Asked Questions: North Shore Wastewater Treatment Plant Cost Recovery