What happens when I flush?
Wastewater: from your home to treatment and beyond Where does your wastewater go? The Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant handles the wastewater from over 1 million residents across 14 municipalities in the region.
Every year we send enough wastewater to our five treatment plants to fill BC Place 177 times. That’s a lot of flushes!
* Sustainable wastewater management We can all play a role in protecting our health and the environment by being careful about what we put in our wastewater.
Metro Vancouver is working to:
• Reduce pollutants going down the drain by educating residents, business and industry • Maintain and make the best use of existing wastewater infrastructure ** • Expand and upgrade existing wastewater treatment facilities to meet the needs of a growing region • Find cost-effective ways to keep local waterways healthy
What you can do: • Keep paint, pesticides, medicine and chemicals out of the drain (especially products marked as poisonous, flammable, corrosive or explosive). Look for products that are low in phosphates. • Use smaller amounts of soap, laundry detergent, dishwashing soap and other cleansers. Because our region has soft water, we can use half the amount the package recommends (or less) and still get good results. • Only put toilet paper and human waste down the toilet. Wipes and other products can clog our sewers. • Wipe cooking oils and grease with a paper towel and put them in your organics bin for collection. • Avoid using garburators – composting is a better alternative and puts less strain on our wastewater treatment system.
To find out more go to: www.metrovancouver.org (search: wastewater treatment)
Tsawwassen KEY Metro Vancouver First Nation Wastewater 4330 Kingsway Burnaby, BC V5H 4G8 * Upgrading to secondary treatment plant by 2020 treatment plants: Metro Vancouver ** Upgrading to secondary treatment plant by 2030 Primary Phone: 604-432-6200 Secondary is a federation of 22 municipalities, one electoral area and one Treaty First Nation. Wastewater pipes Its services include providing drinking water, liquid and solid waste management, White area is land that is growth management planning, affordable rental housing and regional parks. not provided with Metro Vancouver’s wastewater collection and treatment services What is wastewater?
Wastewater comes from:
• Flushing toilets, doing laundry, washing dishes, and anything else that sends “used” water into a drain Primary treatment is largely a mechanical process that removes materials that settle or float. It removes Secondary treatment is a biological process that removes 90% or more of the Rethinking wastewater • Commercial and industrial 50 to 60 per cent of total suspended solids (TSS) and 30 to 50 per cent of the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). materials in wastewater. This includes suspended solids and dissolved materials Through innovation, we can operations (biochemical oxygen demand). develop new ways to use wastewater. Metro Vancouver is recovering resources from What’s in it: Screening Pumping Grit removal Removing solids Trickling filters Solids contact tanks Secondary clarifiers wastewater by: • Soap, food scraps, human Wastewater is screened Wastewater is pumped Pumped air keeps In the sedimentation As wastewater trickles Smaller particles join to Solid material (sludge) • Enabling municipalities to waste, oils and other chemicals to remove wood, stones, to a higher elevation organic materials tanks, the heavier through this tank, bacteria form larger particles settles and is removed capture heat from sewer plastics and other large so gravity can move it suspended while forcing ‘sludge’ settles to the – which consume organic (flocculation process), which to the digester. pipes and use it to heat In our region: debris. through the treatment grit – sand and bottom and lighter material – cling to the then settle more easily. nearby buildings. process. gravel – to settle and ‘scum’ floats to the top. plastic filter material. • Turning gas from treatment be removed. • Over 1 billion litres of processes into electricity and wastewater are produced heat for use in treatment every day plants (co-generation). • 80% comes from our homes Some gas may be used in The most Storm sewers carry Combined sewers • Every person produces an homes and businesses. common pipes, rain and other water carry both average of 500 litres of PRIMARY TREATMENT SCUM SECONDARY TREATMENT ODOUR CONTROL LIDS • Using biosolids as an sanitary sewers, directly to local wastewater and wastewater per day BEGINS REMOVED TO BEGINS DIGESTER ingredient in landscaping carry wastewater streams and stormwater (typically from residences waterways. found in the oldest soils, to reclaim mines and and businesses. parts of the region). DEBRIS gravel pits, and other uses. REMOVED TO LANDFILL TRUNK SEWER
During heavy rain, combined sewers can overflow directly into waterways. Chlorine is added to Municipalities are working to separate stormwater pipes from sanitary sewers. kill bacteria in effluent. SLUDGE SLUDGE REMOVED TO GRIT REMOVED REMOVED TO It is removed before DIGESTER Wastewater: Why we treat wastewater TO LANDFILL DIGESTER effluent is released into Bacteria recycled to continue waterways. treatment process the underground story The goal of wastewater treatment is to protect and maintain healthy waterways. Wastewater flows into a If pollutants in wastewater are not removed, they flow directly into our rivers and oceans. This can threaten fisheries, wildlife habitat, recreation, quality of life, and public health. SOLIDS SOLIDS sewer pipe that connects to REMOVED: REMOVED: larger pipes under your streets, Healthy waterways need healthy oxygen levels 50% – 60% 90% which then connect to Organic materials in wastewater use oxygen to break down, using up oxygen needed treatment plants. REDUCED REDUCED by fish and other aquatic life. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is a measure of the OXYGEN OXYGEN There are more than oxygen consumed by wastewater. DEMAND: DEMAND: Digester 15,000 km of sewer pipes 30% – 50% 95% in Metro Vancouver Suspended solids (TSS) in water block light and interfere with the growth of aquatic life. Digesters use heat and (enough to stretch across Suspended solids and biochemical oxygen demand are removed during the treatment beneficial bacteria to treat Just one drop of motor oil can Canada and back!) process. sludge to reduce odours contaminate 50 litres of water, making it and harmful bacteria. This uninhabitable for aquatic vegetation and produces biosolids. animal life.
For the future, Metro Vancouver will: 2011 • Replace primary wastewater treatment plants with Vancouver Joint Lions Gate Iona Island Lulu Island Annacis Island Northwest Langley Annacis Island WWTP Lulu Island WWTP Province approves Iona WWTP upgrades Province approves New Lions Gate WWTP secondary plants Sewerage & Drainage WWTP* opens WWTP opens WWTP opens WWTP opens WWTP opens upgrades to upgrades to Liquid Waste primary treatment Integrated Liquid consultation and design District Formed secondary treatment secondary treatment Management Plan process Waste and Resource process • Expand the region’s treatment capacity, to service a * WWTP = Wastewater Treatment Plant Management Plan growing population What is wastewater?
Wastewater comes from:
• Flushing toilets, doing laundry, washing dishes, and anything else that sends “used” water into a drain Primary treatment is largely a mechanical process that removes materials that settle or float. It removes Secondary treatment is a biological process that removes 90% or more of the Rethinking wastewater • Commercial and industrial 50 to 60 per cent of total suspended solids (TSS) and 30 to 50 per cent of the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). materials in wastewater. This includes suspended solids and dissolved materials Through innovation, we can operations (biochemical oxygen demand). develop new ways to use wastewater. Metro Vancouver is recovering resources from What’s in it: Screening Pumping Grit removal Removing solids Trickling filters Solids contact tanks Secondary clarifiers wastewater by: • Soap, food scraps, human Wastewater is screened Wastewater is pumped Pumped air keeps In the sedimentation As wastewater trickles Smaller particles join to Solid material (sludge) • Enabling municipalities to waste, oils and other chemicals to remove wood, stones, to a higher elevation organic materials tanks, the heavier through this tank, bacteria form larger particles settles and is removed capture heat from sewer plastics and other large so gravity can move it suspended while forcing ‘sludge’ settles to the – which consume organic (flocculation process), which to the digester. pipes and use it to heat In our region: debris. through the treatment grit – sand and bottom and lighter material – cling to the then settle more easily. nearby buildings. process. gravel – to settle and ‘scum’ floats to the top. plastic filter material. • Turning gas from treatment be removed. • Over 1 billion litres of processes into electricity and wastewater are produced heat for use in treatment every day plants (co-generation). • 80% comes from our homes Some gas may be used in The most Storm sewers carry Combined sewers • Every person produces an homes and businesses. common pipes, rain and other water carry both average of 500 litres of PRIMARY TREATMENT SCUM SECONDARY TREATMENT ODOUR CONTROL LIDS • Using biosolids as an sanitary sewers, directly to local wastewater and wastewater per day BEGINS REMOVED TO BEGINS DIGESTER ingredient in landscaping carry wastewater streams and stormwater (typically from residences waterways. found in the oldest soils, to reclaim mines and and businesses. parts of the region). DEBRIS gravel pits, and other uses. REMOVED TO LANDFILL TRUNK SEWER
During heavy rain, combined sewers can overflow directly into waterways. Chlorine is added to Municipalities are working to separate stormwater pipes from sanitary sewers. kill bacteria in effluent. SLUDGE SLUDGE REMOVED TO GRIT REMOVED REMOVED TO It is removed before DIGESTER Wastewater: Why we treat wastewater TO LANDFILL DIGESTER effluent is released into Bacteria recycled to continue waterways. treatment process the underground story The goal of wastewater treatment is to protect and maintain healthy waterways. Wastewater flows into a If pollutants in wastewater are not removed, they flow directly into our rivers and oceans. This can threaten fisheries, wildlife habitat, recreation, quality of life, and public health. SOLIDS SOLIDS sewer pipe that connects to REMOVED: REMOVED: larger pipes under your streets, Healthy waterways need healthy oxygen levels 50% – 60% 90% which then connect to Organic materials in wastewater use oxygen to break down, using up oxygen needed treatment plants. REDUCED REDUCED by fish and other aquatic life. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) is a measure of the OXYGEN OXYGEN There are more than oxygen consumed by wastewater. DEMAND: DEMAND: Digester 15,000 km of sewer pipes 30% – 50% 95% in Metro Vancouver Suspended solids (TSS) in water block light and interfere with the growth of aquatic life. Digesters use heat and (enough to stretch across Suspended solids and biochemical oxygen demand are removed during the treatment beneficial bacteria to treat Just one drop of motor oil can Canada and back!) process. sludge to reduce odours contaminate 50 litres of water, making it and harmful bacteria. This uninhabitable for aquatic vegetation and produces biosolids. animal life.
For the future, Metro Vancouver will: 2011 • Replace primary wastewater treatment plants with Vancouver Joint Lions Gate Iona Island Lulu Island Annacis Island Northwest Langley Annacis Island WWTP Lulu Island WWTP Province approves Iona WWTP upgrades Province approves New Lions Gate WWTP secondary plants Sewerage & Drainage WWTP* opens WWTP opens WWTP opens WWTP opens WWTP opens upgrades to upgrades to Liquid Waste primary treatment Integrated Liquid consultation and design District Formed secondary treatment secondary treatment Management Plan process Waste and Resource process • Expand the region’s treatment capacity, to service a * WWTP = Wastewater Treatment Plant Management Plan growing population What happens when I flush?
Wastewater: from your home to treatment and beyond Where does your wastewater go? The Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant handles the wastewater from over 1 million residents across 14 municipalities in the region.
Every year we send enough wastewater to our five treatment plants to fill BC Place 177 times. That’s a lot of flushes!
* Sustainable wastewater management We can all play a role in protecting our health and the environment by being careful about what we put in our wastewater.
Metro Vancouver is working to:
• Reduce pollutants going down the drain by educating residents, business and industry • Maintain and make the best use of existing wastewater infrastructure ** • Expand and upgrade existing wastewater treatment facilities to meet the needs of a growing region • Find cost-effective ways to keep local waterways healthy
What you can do: • Keep paint, pesticides, medicine and chemicals out of the drain (especially products marked as poisonous, flammable, corrosive or explosive). Look for products that are low in phosphates. • Use smaller amounts of soap, laundry detergent, dishwashing soap and other cleansers. Because our region has soft water, we can use half the amount the package recommends (or less) and still get good results. • Only put toilet paper and human waste down the toilet. Wipes and other products can clog our sewers. • Wipe cooking oils and grease with a paper towel and put them in your organics bin for collection. • Avoid using garburators – composting is a better alternative and puts less strain on our wastewater treatment system.
To find out more go to: www.metrovancouver.org (search: wastewater treatment)
Tsawwassen KEY Metro Vancouver First Nation Wastewater 4330 Kingsway Burnaby, BC V5H 4G8 * Upgrading to secondary treatment plant by 2020 treatment plants: Metro Vancouver ** Upgrading to secondary treatment plant by 2030 Primary Phone: 604-432-6200 Secondary is a federation of 22 municipalities, one electoral area and one Treaty First Nation. Wastewater pipes Its services include providing drinking water, liquid and solid waste management, White area is land that is growth management planning, affordable rental housing and regional parks. not provided with Metro Vancouver’s wastewater collection and treatment services What happens when I flush?
Wastewater: from your home to treatment and beyond Where does your wastewater go? The Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant handles the wastewater from over 1 million residents across 14 municipalities in the region.
Every year we send enough wastewater to our five treatment plants to fill BC Place 177 times. That’s a lot of flushes!
* Sustainable wastewater management We can all play a role in protecting our health and the environment by being careful about what we put in our wastewater.
Metro Vancouver is working to:
• Reduce pollutants going down the drain by educating residents, business and industry • Maintain and make the best use of existing wastewater infrastructure ** • Expand and upgrade existing wastewater treatment facilities to meet the needs of a growing region • Find cost-effective ways to keep local waterways healthy
What you can do: • Keep paint, pesticides, medicine and chemicals out of the drain (especially products marked as poisonous, flammable, corrosive or explosive). Look for products that are low in phosphates. • Use smaller amounts of soap, laundry detergent, dishwashing soap and other cleansers. Because our region has soft water, we can use half the amount the package recommends (or less) and still get good results. • Only put toilet paper and human waste down the toilet. Wipes and other products can clog our sewers. • Wipe cooking oils and grease with a paper towel and put them in your organics bin for collection. • Avoid using garburators – composting is a better alternative and puts less strain on our wastewater treatment system.
To find out more go to: www.metrovancouver.org (search: wastewater treatment)
Tsawwassen KEY Metro Vancouver First Nation Wastewater 4330 Kingsway Burnaby, BC V5H 4G8 * Upgrading to secondary treatment plant by 2020 treatment plants: Metro Vancouver ** Upgrading to secondary treatment plant by 2030 Primary Phone: 604-432-6200 Secondary is a federation of 22 municipalities, one electoral area and one Treaty First Nation. Wastewater pipes Its services include providing drinking water, liquid and solid waste management, White area is land that is growth management planning, affordable rental housing and regional parks. not provided with Metro Vancouver’s wastewater collection and treatment services