Greater Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre: Secondary Treatment Upgrade

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The Greater Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre (GNPCC) is located at 4600 Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo. It is the RDN's largest wastewater treatment facility and serves 100,000 people and businesses in the City of Nanaimo and District of Lantzville and on Snuneymuxw First Nations land.

Construction on the $82 million GNPCC Secondary Treatment Upgrade Project is now complete. The project replaced old structures, added capacity for our growing communities, and added secondary treatment to improve water quality.

The provision of secondary treatment meets a commitment in the RDN's Liquid Waste Management Plan and keeps the RDN in compliance with provincial and federal regulations that require that all municipal wastewater treatment facilities provide secondary treatment or better.

The project is paid for by reserves, development cost charges, borrowed funds and grant funds.

Wastewater terminology

  • Primary Treatment is the physical treatment of wastewater, using gravity and settling tanks to treat wastewater. Primary treatment removes about half of the solids from the wastewater.
  • Secondary treatment is the biological treatment of wastewater, and uses beneficial micro-organisms to consume organic matter left after primary treatment. Primary and secondary treatment combined removes more than 90% of the solids from the wastewater.

How to get involved

Please explore this webpage to learn more:

  • Check out the Highlights below to stay informed of the latest news.
  • Watch a video of the ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the project.
  • Watch a video of the completed GNPCC Secondary Treatment Upgrade Project.
  • Watch a time lapse video of the construction progress.
  • Check out photos of the construction.
  • Review construction notices and updates in the Notices section on the right bar.
  • Register by clicking the "subscribe" tab on the right-hand side of the page under the megaphone icon. By registering you will be kept up-to-date with progress on this project through our electronic communication.

The Greater Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre (GNPCC) is located at 4600 Hammond Bay Road in Nanaimo. It is the RDN's largest wastewater treatment facility and serves 100,000 people and businesses in the City of Nanaimo and District of Lantzville and on Snuneymuxw First Nations land.

Construction on the $82 million GNPCC Secondary Treatment Upgrade Project is now complete. The project replaced old structures, added capacity for our growing communities, and added secondary treatment to improve water quality.

The provision of secondary treatment meets a commitment in the RDN's Liquid Waste Management Plan and keeps the RDN in compliance with provincial and federal regulations that require that all municipal wastewater treatment facilities provide secondary treatment or better.

The project is paid for by reserves, development cost charges, borrowed funds and grant funds.

Wastewater terminology

  • Primary Treatment is the physical treatment of wastewater, using gravity and settling tanks to treat wastewater. Primary treatment removes about half of the solids from the wastewater.
  • Secondary treatment is the biological treatment of wastewater, and uses beneficial micro-organisms to consume organic matter left after primary treatment. Primary and secondary treatment combined removes more than 90% of the solids from the wastewater.

How to get involved

Please explore this webpage to learn more:

  • Check out the Highlights below to stay informed of the latest news.
  • Watch a video of the ribbon cutting to celebrate the completion of the project.
  • Watch a video of the completed GNPCC Secondary Treatment Upgrade Project.
  • Watch a time lapse video of the construction progress.
  • Check out photos of the construction.
  • Review construction notices and updates in the Notices section on the right bar.
  • Register by clicking the "subscribe" tab on the right-hand side of the page under the megaphone icon. By registering you will be kept up-to-date with progress on this project through our electronic communication.

  • Construction is Complete!

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    The RDN is pleased to announce that construction on the Secondary Treatment Upgrade Project is complete. The $82 million upgrade is the largest capital expenditure in the RDN's history. See the news release for more information.

    Also, watch the ribbon cutting and view the new video of the completed GNPCC Secondary Treatment Upgrade Project as well as new photos added to the photo gallery.

  • July 16, 2020 - Notice to Residents

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    Please read the Notice to Residents for more information on new frontage trail on Hammond Bay Road between McGuffie Road and Shores Drive.

  • July 9, 2020 - Notice to Residents

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    Please read the Notice to Residents for a project update and information on the construction of a new frontage trail on Hammond Bay Road between McGuffie Road and Shores Drive.

  • February 19, 2020 - Notice to Residents

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    The Contractor has obtained a Noise Bylaw Exemption for February 11 and February 19, 2020. See the Notices for more information.

  • Holiday Construction Expectations

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    The main construction works are expected to pause over the holidays from December 25, 2019 to January 1, 2020. During this time, construction support personnel will come and go to maintain systems. Construction will resume in the new year.

  • December 9, 2019 - Notice to Residents

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    The Contractor has obtained a Noise Bylaw Exemption for December 10 to December 12, 2019. See the Notice to Residents for more information.

  • December 2, 2019 - Construction Update

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    The project has achieved significant progress and is nearing completion. Construction and commissioning will continue into early 2020. Check out the Notice to Residents for a project update. Expectations for the coming months include:

    • Noise - will remain similar as it has been through the fall. Intermittent noise will be generated to test new equipment, crush the last of the native rock, prepare the internal road, and backfill the secondary plant area.
    • Truck traffic - will remain similar as it has been through the fall.
    • Parking - construction crews will continue to park along McGuffie Road and Hammond Bay Road for the duration of the project.
    • Odours - commissioning new systems may result in temporary strong odours.
    • Late night or early morning work - the contractor will obtain City of Nanaimo Noise Bylaw Exemption Permits for any work required outside of noise bylaw hours.

    Thank you for your continued patience as we complete this project. After the secondary treatment processes are successfully commissioned, GNPCC will produce substantially higher quality effluent and will reduce our impact on the environment.

  • November 26, 2019 – Upcoming Work Will Increase Project Noise

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    The Contractor will be crushing aggregate over the next month:

    • What to Expect - Activities will increase noise generated from the construction project, intermittently as required, for the duration of the time noted below. Noise associated with the aggregate crushing activities is expected to adhere to the City of Nanaimo Noise Bylaw
    • Dates - November 26 to December 21, 2019
    • Times - Monday through Saturday 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m; Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

    Thank you for your continued patience as we complete this project.


  • Past Public Notices Available

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    Older Public Notices can still be found in the Notices section on the right bar.


  • March 9, 2018 – GNPCC Secondary Treatment Upgrade Project Receives $6 Million Federal Gas Tax Funds

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    The RDN has recently been approved for up to $6 Million in funding from the Federal Gas Tax Fund to complete the GNPCC Secondary Treatment Upgrade Project. Check out the News Release for more information.