Wastewater Master Plan

Planning Today to Build a Stronger Tomorrow!

Project Update, November 2025

Port Alberni’s Wastewater Master Plan is taking shape, thanks to your support. With the project scope confirmed and existing system conditions under review, the groundwork is being laid to ensure reliable wastewater services for years to come.

The next stage will focus on technical reviews, covering bylaws, design criteria, and the impacts of community growth. Your involvement will be crucial in the months ahead as we work toward solutions that strike a balance between reliability, sustainability, and affordability.

About the Project

In June 2025, the City began developing a Wastewater Master Plan (WWMP). The WWMP will be a comprehensive strategy to manage our sanitary wastewater collection infrastructure for the next decade and beyond. This plan will help us set budgets, sewer utility rates, and development fees that allow us to sustainably maintain our system and construct the upgrades needed to support planned community growth. This plan will also include a prioritized capital construction plan that will be implemented over the following ten years.

The project aligns with the following strategies from the 2023-2027 Corporate Strategic Plan:

• Review existing plans and guiding documents.
• Develop new plans for current and future use that reflect current values.
• Identify opportunities, establish priorities, engage the public and stakeholders, and move with purpose on the right projects.

The WWMP will focus on the network of sanitary sewers and pumping stations that transport sewage from homes and businesses in Port Alberni, as well as from Tsahaheh and Ahahswinis, to the City’s new wastewater treatment facility at the Somass (Tsuma-as) Estuary.

The WWMP will complement both the 2020 Liquid Waste Management Plan, the City’s strategy for the treatment and disposal of wastewater, and the Stormwater & Combined Sewer Overflow Master Plan, which is currently being developed. The Liquid Waste Management Plan will be updated next year.

The condition and performance of Port Alberni’s sanitary wastewater collection systems, as well as sewer network capacity and expansion needs for community growth, will be assessed by the team. Existing policies, bylaws, and design guidelines will also be reviewed and improved.

Opportunities to Participate

Join us at the third annual Connect With Your City Open House on Wednesday, November 26, in the Cedar Room of the Echo ’67 Community Centre (4255 Wallace Street), starting at 6:00 PM. Speak with our staff and learn more about the plan. Create an account on LetsConnectPA.ca to receive updates, announcements, and notifications about engagement dates and activities as they are finalized.

There will be other opportunities to participate in the planning process as the project progresses. You can also email questions or comments to master_plans@portalberni.ca.

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The WWMP is one of many concurrent master planning projects the City is undertaking to support strategic long-term planning for civic assets. Click here to learn more about all the Master Plans!