Northwest of Vancouver on the lower “Sunshine Coast” of British Columbia, lies the municipality of Sechelt, Canada. The environmental challenge that needed to be solved within this beautiful and natural environment rested in aging infrastructure that struggled to meet the strict effluent standards exacerbating already exceptionally high operational expenses in the area.
Although the municipality had two existing wastewater treatment facilities, they were both insufficient for the community’s needs. These existing facilities were noisy, had odor problems, needed significant maintenance, and possessed enormous pumping costs. As a result, expanding or upgrading these conventional and outdated wastewater treatment facilities was not feasible, requiring the municipality to find a more viable solution to treat its wastewater.
To solve the problems in Sechelt, Organica was uniquely able to assist, making the facility in Sechelt the first of its kind to appear on the continent to date. Due to its garden-like appearance and odorless operation, the facility is optimal for being placed not only in close vicinity, but directly in the neighborhoods of Sechelt, overall reducing pumping and collection costs for the municipality.
The treatment facility fits seamlessly into the community and after the start of operation in 2014 became known for not only addressing the current and future wastewater needs of the community, but enhancing the neighborhood with a beautiful community building for public education and awareness on sustainable water resource management.
Since commissioning in 2014, the facility has been treating the daily wastewater generated in the community, while also meeting LEED gold standards and winning numerous awards. Additionally, the facility was featured on Archdaily.com, the world’s most visited Architecture website and received the 2016 FCM Sustainable Communities Award. Check out the video below for more.
Enclosed in a quiet and odorless greenhouse structure, the Sechelt Water Resource Center is a great example of how Organica Water’s sustainable designs can bring economic benefits and minimize neighborhood impacts in municipalities such as Sechelt, Canada and worldwide.
