Project Updates

June 16, 2023 – Phase 1 upgrades have been completed and put into operation. The work included installing an offline equalization storage tank and related mechanical and electrical equipment. This enables the wastewater treatment plant to meet current capacity and accommodate the five existing building permits for Rivendell Drive.

January 17, 2023 – Phase 1 upgrades are underway with an expected completion date of March/April 2023. The work includes installing an offline equalization storage tank and related mechanical and electrical equipment. This will enable the wastewater treatment plant to meet current capacity and accommodate the five existing building permits for Rivendell Drive.

June 13, 2022 – Council authorized a Stipulated Price Contract for $1,224,316 + GST with Chandos Construction Ltd. for construction of Phase 1 Upgrades to the Snug Cove Wastewater Treatment Plant. The funding strategy for the project was revised accordingly, and Council directed staff to report back confirming details on the increased budget.

About the Project

The Snug Cove Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) is located on Dorman Road and serves about 110 sewer connections throughout the sewer collection area, which includes the central village of Snug Cove where most commercial and public services on the island are offered. Engineering analyses and operational experience have determined that the sewer plant is at capacity and is in need of upgrades to accommodate recent and planned connections to the system. Since March 2020, Bowen Island Municipality has been working with Urban Systems to complete system evaluations, capacity assessments, growth projections, environmental studies, regulatory reviews, planning and design for WWTP upgrades. 

The primary limitation of the WWTP is the capacity to handle the peak day flows, which typically occur during the winter, coinciding with high rainfall events.  

This capital upgrade project will be approached in two phases.  

Phase 1 is currently underway, and will provide additional equalization capacity to allow the existing treatment system to function, in the near term, without spills until more bioreactor capacity is added in the next phase. Phase 1 upgrades will accommodate development that has been recently completed or is currently in progress.  

The cost to complete Phase 1 is $1,224,316, and is funded from the Capital Renewal and Replacement Reserve and Unappropriated Surplus. 

The costs of the upgrade are being shared among users of the system, and all Island taxpayers generally. The costs of the upgrade that are assigned directly to Sewer users will be paid for by a parcel tax on properties connected to the sewer.  The costs of the upgrade that are assigned to all Island Taxpayers are those that are being linked to Council’s strategic priorities, and will be paid for from general fund reserves. 

The table below shows the allocation of project costs between Sewer Users and all Island Taxpayers. Please note, this table will be updated following the budget increase approved by Council on June 13, 2022 (see Project Updates, above).

Staff Reports 

June 13, 2022 Regular Council Meeting

January 24, 2022 Committee of the Whole 

January 31, 2022 Special Council Meeting 

March 14, 2022 Regular Council Meeting 

March 28, 2022 Regular Council Meeting 

April 25, 2022 Regular Council Meeting