VANCOUVER — Brown and Caldwell is supporting Metro Vancouver as it undertakes major upgrades at the world’s largest trickling filter solids contact wastewater facility at the Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant. The project will increase capacity, meet the needs of a growing population, and protect essential utility operations against seismic events.

Located in Delta, British Columbia, the Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant treats about 196 billion liters of wastewater annually, serving approximately 1.25 million residents in 14 municipalities across the Lower Mainland. It uses primary and secondary treatment technologies to remove organic matter from wastewater before safe release to the Fraser River — the world’s largest salmon-bearing river.

Part of a multi-year program of over 20 projects to expand the capacity of the plant, the newly initiated project involves the design and construction of two new trickling filters and an associated pump station. The plant’s four existing centrifuges will be replaced with new, larger capacity units to improve dewatering output and avoid a costly and invasive dewatering building expansion. Additionally, a modern maintenance workshop will be built so that staff can maintain the expanded facility.

Once complete, the suite of upgrades will increase capacity to serve approximately 1.6 million people. The new facilities will be designed with future expansions and seismic resiliency in mind.

Detailed design and construction engineering services are being delivered by Brown and Caldwell. As prime consultant, Brown and Caldwell will lead program, project, and quality management; detailed design; and construction management. Major sub-consultants EIC Solutions, Klohn Crippen Berger, and J.L. Richards and Associates will provide electrical/instrumentation and controls; geotechnical and hydrogeological; and architectural design services respectively.

A critical early component of constructing the new assets entails extensive ground improvements to improve seismic performance. The complex groundwork includes risk mitigation, geotechnical, and resiliency considerations to protect existing structures and utilities during installation. Paramount to the project’s success is carefully sequencing of construction activities to maintain plant integrity and minimize operational disruptions during site works.

“We commend Metro Vancouver’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship while continuing to serve its communities through innovative and sustainable practices. Our team relishes the opportunity to help write the next chapter of this monumental expansion and maintain the Annacis plant as a premier North American treatment facility.”

Brown and Caldwell Program Manager Mike Thorstenson