Departure Bay Pump Station and Forcemain Expansion Project

Upgrading Key Sewer Infrastructure

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), in partnership with the City of Nanaimo, is preparing to kick off construction on the Departure Bay Pump Station and Forcemain Expansion Project – a project that is necessary to upgrade wastewater services to meet current and future needs.

About the Project

This key project includes a renewal of the pump station at Departure Bay Beach, as well as the installation of four kilometres of new sewer forcemain along Hammond Bay Road, from the pump station to the wastewater treatment plant on McGuffie Road.

The current infrastructure is over 50 years old and at the end of its life. Upgrading this portion of the wastewater system is critically important – it currently moves 75 per cent of the City of Nanaimo’s wastewater to the treatment facility.

Here's What You Need to Know

  • Construction on the project will last for four years and require single-lane traffic closures.
  • A traffic management plan is being developed now. We’ll update the community on plans in the coming months, before construction starts.
  • The City of Nanaimo is also updating underground services during construction and will look to complete some surface improvements on Hammond Bay Road to address safety concerns. Watch for more on this in January 2026.

Keeping you Informed

We understand this project will be disruptive and of high interest to many in the corridor and throughout the area. This page will be the primary source for updates and information will be shared proactively as details are confirmed.

We invite you to:

Upgrading Key Sewer Infrastructure

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN), in partnership with the City of Nanaimo, is preparing to kick off construction on the Departure Bay Pump Station and Forcemain Expansion Project – a project that is necessary to upgrade wastewater services to meet current and future needs.

About the Project

This key project includes a renewal of the pump station at Departure Bay Beach, as well as the installation of four kilometres of new sewer forcemain along Hammond Bay Road, from the pump station to the wastewater treatment plant on McGuffie Road.

The current infrastructure is over 50 years old and at the end of its life. Upgrading this portion of the wastewater system is critically important – it currently moves 75 per cent of the City of Nanaimo’s wastewater to the treatment facility.

Here's What You Need to Know

  • Construction on the project will last for four years and require single-lane traffic closures.
  • A traffic management plan is being developed now. We’ll update the community on plans in the coming months, before construction starts.
  • The City of Nanaimo is also updating underground services during construction and will look to complete some surface improvements on Hammond Bay Road to address safety concerns. Watch for more on this in January 2026.

Keeping you Informed

We understand this project will be disruptive and of high interest to many in the corridor and throughout the area. This page will be the primary source for updates and information will be shared proactively as details are confirmed.

We invite you to:

  • Departure Bay Sewer Project Kick Off: Open Houses Jan. 21 and 22

    The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) is preparing to kick-off construction on the Departure Bay Pump Station and Forcemain Expansion Project and will be hosting two public open houses in partnership with the City of Nanaimo to inform the community and answer questions about the project plan.

    The expansion project includes the renewal of the pump station at Departure Bay as well as the installation of four kilometres of new sewer forcemain along Hammond Bay Road. The project is critical as this portion of the wastewater system is now over 50 years old, moves 75 per cent of the City of Nanaimo’s wastewater and is not keeping up with current or future needs. Construction is expected to get underway in spring 2026.

    The public is invited to drop-in to the open houses to learn more about the project plan and ask the project team questions.

    Public Open Houses

    Wednesday, January 21, 6-8 p.m. at Hungarian Cultural Society (4840 Hammond Bay Rd.)

    -OR-

    Thursday, January 22, 5-7 p.m. at Departure Bay Elementary School (3004 Departure Bay Rd.)

    A traffic management plan is in development for the project, and more information will be available about impacts for commuters before the start of construction. In January, drilling will be completed along the project route to complete preliminary ground testing. This is not the start of construction – but will require single-lane alternating traffic over a few weeks’ period.

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Page last updated: 05 Jan 2026, 02:51 PM