On March 30, 2017, the provincial and federal governments announced that the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund would provide 83% of the costs required to replace the Pinecrest Estates Wastewater Treatment Plant, with a grant of $1,657,020.

The total estimated cost to replace the Wastewater Treatment Plant is $1,996,410.

SLRD Vice-Chair and Area D Director Tony Rainbow said of the announcement, "Safe and effective wastewater treatment infrastructure is a cornerstone of a healthy community, and a key priority of the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District. The SLRD sincerely appreciates the support of our provincial and federal partners, which will enable us to deliver this much-needed service to the residents of Pinecrest Estates in a way that is affordable and environmentally responsible. We are tremendously excited to be moving forward with this project, which will help to ensure an excellent quality of life for present and future residents of Pinecrest Estates.” 

The Pinecrest Estates Wastewater Treatment Plant Replacement will provide treatment for the 75 properties within Pinecrest Estates.The old wastewater treatment plant will be decommissioned.

Background

Pinecrest Estates is a 75 home strata community in Electoral Area D located between Squamish and Whistler. Approximately 200 people live in the community.

Constructed in 1979, the Pinecrest Estates Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) is nearing the end of its service life. It does not meet the requirements of its operating permit. The SLRD assumed ownership of the Pinecrest Estates wastewater system in January 2016, and following inspection and predesign and cost estimates from its consultant, applied on April 1 2016 for grant funding to replace it. The Project was approved on March 8, 2017.

The new Wastewater Treatment Plant will meet the current Ministry of Environment operating permit requirements as well as the federal Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations requirements.

The project will include the decommissioning of the existing plant and installation of a packaged membrane bioreactor wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), equalization tank, sludge holding tank and effluent dosing tank, centrifuge for sludge disposal, and construction of the plant building.

Under the terms of the funding agreement, the project must be completed by March 31, 2018.