B.C. invests $250M to upgrade Richmond wastewater treatment plant

The B.C. government has announced that $250 million will go towards upgrading Richmond’s Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant to keep up with the growing population.

In a statement Friday, Premier David Eby says the money will help ensure that communities stay healthy.

“B.C.’s population is growing at an unprecedented rate, and with that growth comes increasing demands on our infrastructure and our environment,” he said.

“Municipalities need help building climate-resilient infrastructure that provides people with the services they need while protecting nature. That’s why we’re investing $250 million in upgrading Richmond’s Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant to ensure our communities and our coastal waters remain healthy.”

The money will cover one-third of the first phase in the upgrades the, province says, adding it “will help improve the capacity and quality for more than 750,000 residents, address seismic resiliency, and protect residents’ health and the Fraser River’s ecosystem for years to come,” according to a release.

Anne Kang, the minister of municipal affairs, says the plant will provide services to locals in areas including Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, and the Musqueam Indian Band.

“We are working together to make sure needed infrastructure is updated and maintained so communities can thrive into the future,” she said.

The first phase of the upgrades is slated to be done in 2026.