Metro Vancouver Reference Panel recommends mandatory source control program for liquid wastes
“Fats, oils and grease (FOG) waste discharges from commercial establishments have significant impacts on the capacity and condition of the sanitary sewer collection system, and therefore have substantial cost implications over time. This is the reason why we recommended that the region provide additional financial incentives, enforcement resources and automated monitoring technologies,” stated Garry Cooper.
Metro Vancouver Reference Panel recommends action in managing flow from private sewer laterals
“Metro Vancouver and its members need to resolve the persistent and costly sanitary “Inflow & Infiltration Issue” by acting on policy and legal tools that enable municipalities to implement timely and appropriate measures on private property,” stated Shaun Carroll.
Metro Vancouver Reference Panel recommends a “total system approach” for regional infrastructure financing
“The four recommendations by the Reference Panel are intended to help Metro Vancouver create a 'financial road map'. In turn, this will help communicate what is involved in implementing liquid resource management infrastructure in a fair and equitable manner,” stated Mark Hodgson.
Metro Vancouver Reference Panel recommends establishing a “stewarding committee” to ensure Liquid Resource Management Plan stays true to the vision
“Metro Vancouver Reference Panel recommends establishing a ‘stewarding committee’ to ensure Liquid Resource Management Plan stays true to the vision. There is a need for fresh, objective eyes bolstered by a strong political mandate to keep asking questions, prod Metro Vancouver and members toward the vision, and assist with the waste-to-resource paradigm-shift over time. A ‘stewarding committee’ would play an expert and non-partisan role,” stated Susan Rutherford.
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Three Metro Vancouver examples demonstrate a progression in scale for Integrated Resource Recovery
“The policy framework proposed by the Reference Panel is founded on the premise that the Metro Vancouver region will manage sewage and rainwater as resources, not wastes; and will strive to achieve Integrated Resource Recovery progess incrementally,” stated Elaine Golds.
Vancouver Island Pilot Program informs Metro Vancouver’s Liquid Waste Management Plan
Commencing in 2007, Vancouver Island has been the pilot region for a regional team approach that seeks to align local actions with provincial goals. “Experience gained in one region is being adapted to suit the needs of the other regions. Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island are learning from each other, and are moving in the same direction,” stated John Finnie.
Re-Focus Integrated Stormwater Management Plans on outcomes, recommends Metro Vancouver Reference Panel
“Strategies and actions in ISMPs will impact on Metro Vancouver’s sustainability for generations to come. Hence, it is important to link those actions to a picture of a desired outcome,” stated Kim Stephens. “One has to start with the desired outcome – which is protect or improve stream health – and then determine what actions in the watershed will green the urban landscape. Re-focus ISMPs on watershed targets and outcomes so that there are clear linkages with land use planning.”
How does a community weigh the benefits and liabilities of change driven by demand for land use?
The key principle is that settlement and ecology are equal values and they must be as much in balance as possible for wellbeing of human and natural systems. “If we were in fact measuring ecological values, there would be more ‘weights’ (reliable data) on the ecology side of the balance scale; thus leading to more informed conclusions and hence different decisions,” stated Tim Pringle.
Nutrient Recovery: Creating Value from Waste at Metro Vancouver
The focus of the Lulu plant tour was on the pilot nutrient recovery technology developed by Dr. Don Mavinic of the University of British Columbia. “To demonstrate the potential for sustainable wastewater treatment solutions, researchers at UBC have developed the technology to capture phosphorus and ammonia from high concentration streams of municipal sewage, and recycle them into environmentally safe fertilizer,” stated Dr. Don Mavinic.