Wastewater Treatment
High concentrations of pollutants from wastewater can have negative effects on fish and wildlife and can result in beach closures and restrictions on shellfish harvesting. In 2006, an environmental report commissioned by the Ministry of Environment noted the contamination of seabed sites near our wastewater outfalls. In 2012, the federal government passed a law requiring all Canadian cities to provide secondary sewage treatment by 2020.
On December 15, 2020 the Capital Regional District announced that it is providing tertiary treatment for wastewater from the core area municipalities of Victoria, Esquimalt, Saanich, Oak Bay, View Royal, Langford and Colwood, and the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations.