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.

  • May 2017 – Construction to Begin in May

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    Construction will begin in May 2017 and will continue through to December 2019.

    Typical construction activity will conform to the City of Nanaimo Noise Bylaw which states that noise due to construction shall not be caused before 7:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. Monday to Saturday and before 9:00 a.m. and after 9:00 p.m. on Sundays and Statutory holidays.

    Some work may continue outside of standard construction noise bylaw hours. For example, critical process modifications must be done at night when flows to the plant are lowest and plant flows can be shut down.

  • April 13, 2017 – Construction Contract Awarded

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    The construction contract for the GNPCC Secondary Treatment Upgrade Project was awarded to NAC Constructors Ltd. during a Special Board Meeting April 11, 2019.

    Engineering oversight and quality control will be done by AECOM Canada Ltd. This project will also employ many local subcontractors for subtrades.


Page last updated: 23 Sep 2021, 01:37 PM