SEWAGE AND RAINWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR VANCOUVER

RTS13366: City Council, May 26, 2020

Credit: Wendy de Hoog

TOO MUCH WATER 2

Why is a Sewage and Rainwater Management Plan (“SRMP”) Needed?

Image: Overland flooding at Cambie St & W Broadway, Vancouver on October 12, 2017 Photo Credit: Alexandra Coulliard

Address Pollution from combined sewer overflows (“CSOs”) and urban runoff

Protect against climate

change risk

Secure capacity for population

growth

Image: China Creek Sewer Construction 1913 Photo Credit: City of Vancouver

The complexity and cost warrants the need for a comprehensive options analysis and plan

~$3.7 billion for ongoing renewal

and separation of CoV combined sewers by 2050

(in 2020 dollars)

The Metro Vancouver update to the Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP) provides a critical opportunity

Image: Iona Island Treatment Plant Source: Metro Vancouver

LWMP update provides

opportunity to re-evaluate options to identify optimal

blend of green and grey solutions

Current LWMP requires elimination of CSOs by 2050 through

sewer separation

LWMP actions become

provincially legislated

commitments for both COV and

Metro

Photo Credit: Ho Yeong Jung on Unsplash

July 2019 Motions on CSOs

City Council

Options to cost-effectively achieve accelerated water quality outcomes related to CSOs

by 2029

Park Board

Call on CoV to prioritize infrastructure

to achieve water quality improvements

by 2029

the natural water cycle

protects restores mimics

A high level, 30-year plan that aims to manage rainwater through green rainwater infrastructure that

Image: Urban rainwater runoff Photo Credit: Wendy de Hoog

Rain City Strategy (November 2019)

9 transformative

directions

3 action plans

Streets & Public Spaces

Buildings & Sites Parks & Beaches

Vancouver Plan + VanPlay

Purpose of the Plan

Image: Vancouver skyline Photo Credit: Wendy de Hoog

Guide policy, advocacy and strategic long-

range investments in sewage and

rainwater management

Inform and align with:

Metro Vancouver LWMP Update

Vancouver Plan

Optimize grey and green

infrastructure solutions

Image: City of Vancouver Solutions Lab Photo Credit: Amanda Mitchell

Partners and Collaborators

Musqueum, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations

Metro Vancouver and its members

Federal and Provincial Governments

Vancouver Coastal Health and Port Metro Vancouver

Non-profit and community groups

The development industry

The general public

Engagement : Government | First Nations | Stakeholders | Public | Staff

PHASE 1 Q3 2020 – Q4 2021

Current State Assessment and Priority Action Plan

PHASE 2 Q4 2021-Q4 2023

Evaluation of Options

Q4 2023 – Q4 2024

Final Plan

LWMP Process Alignment 2023

Vancouver Plan Alignment 2022

Strategic Direction Setting

Council Direction

PHASE 3

Implementation

A phased approach is required

Report Recommendations

A. THAT Council approve the approach outlined in this report to develop a comprehensive city-wide plan for sewage and rainwater management to address pollution from sewage and urban run-off along with risks presented by climate change, aging infrastructure and urban growth; working in collaboration with Metro Vancouver, First Nations, and other partners, and in close coordination the Vancouver Plan and key environmental policy areas.

B. THAT Council direct staff to report back in 2021, with a progress update on the development of the city-wide plan for sewage and rainwater management, including recommended short-term accelerated actions to reduce pollution from sewage and polluted urban runoff.

C. THAT this report be provided to the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation for information.

THANK YOU

Image: Vancouver skyline