METRO Vancouver announced on Friday that its Board of Directors has voted to take a new approach to upgrading the Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant that will mitigate annual cost impacts for ratepayers while protecting the environment and public health. “Over the past year, Metro Vancouver has carefully examined options to deliver secondary wastewater treatment as quickly as possible, while ensuring cost sustainability for our region,” said Metro Vancouver Board Chair Mike Hurley. This approach is possible in part thanks to more space-efficient wastewater treatment technology. In July 2024, Metro Vancouver awarded a contract for preliminary design work and to explore alternative options to deliver the upgrades. Today, Metro Vancouver has over 300 large projects in its capital plan, all designed to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population.