Vancouver to invest $656 million in sewers and drainage over four years

VANCOUVER — Poor pipes can cause a lot of problems.

The City of Vancouver has approved the Healthy Waters Plan, a 70 per cent investment increase in sewage and draining systems over the next four years.

The investment will total $656 million, according to a news release.

The plan will address pollution from combined sewer overflows and rainwater runoff infrastructure, renew aging infrastructure, enable housing and growth and respond to climate change through nature-based solutions investments.

“Better infrastructure will allow us to see healthier ecosystems and safer, cleaner waterways around our city,” said Mayor Ken Sim in the release.

Investments will be made in green rainwater infrastructure, which uses soil and plants to capture and treat rainwater close to where it falls thus reducing the volume entering pipes. The Rain City Strategy has set a target of capturing and cleaning 90 per cent of the rainwater.

“The Healthy Waters Plan is the kind of leadership other major cities around Canada and North America can look at as an example of what needs to be done in addressing sewage pollution at the root of the issue,” said Mark Mattson, CEO of Swim Drink Fish.