The $12.8 million Squamish Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) expansion is now complete. Tritech Group began work on the WWTP upgrades in 2023.

The major upgrades will increase treatment capacity, provide system redundancy, increase seismic and flood resiliency, mitigate operational cost increases, improve plant performance and effluent quality and decrease carbon emissions.

For the project, a new secondary clarifier and concentric ring bioreactor were built, as well as a new septage receiving station. In addition, existing infrastructure was optimized, with a redundant secondary clarifier tank converted into a primary clarifier, allowing it to continue providing value for its remaining useful life.

“This upgrade reflects our work to ensure that vital municipal infrastructure keeps up with population growth and community expansion. In addition to increased treatment capacity, these upgrades will also increase seismic and flood resiliency so it can better withstand potential natural disasters. The upgrades also serve to improve plant performance and effluent quality and decrease carbon emissions and handling costs. We are grateful for the support of our federal and provincial partners to complete these important upgrades,” said District of Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford.

The WWTP was nearing capacity and required upgrades to meet population growth forecasts and regulated redundancy requirements. In addition, some of the existing treatment units were approaching end of useful life and did not meet current seismic and flood protection standards. The new circular clarifier/bioreactor is designed as ‘post-disaster’ infrastructure and will be able to withstand seismic and flood events.