Infrastructure Integrity and Climate Change: Metro Vancouver Case Study

Livable Region Strategy Plan Review towards 2031

Infrastructure Integrity and Climate Infrastructure Integrity and Climate Change: Metro Vancouver Case StudyChange: Metro Vancouver Case Study

APEGGA Professional Development SessionsAPEGGA Professional Development SessionsInfrastructure Integrity – Climate Change Impacts and AdaptationInfrastructure Integrity – Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation

Shaw Conference Centre, Edmonton, AlbertaShaw Conference Centre, Edmonton, AlbertaApril 18, 2008April 18, 2008

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Brent Burton, M.A.Sc., P.Eng.Brent Burton, M.A.Sc., P.Eng.Utility Analysis and Environmental Management DivisionUtility Analysis and Environmental Management Division

Policy and Planning DepartmentPolicy and Planning DepartmentMetro VancouverMetro Vancouver


OutlineOutline

• Background on Metro VancouverBackground on Metro Vancouver

• Existing role in water supply and Existing role in water supply and wastewaterwastewater

• Adaptation and Metro VancouverAdaptation and Metro Vancouver

• Metro Vancouver sewerage case Metro Vancouver sewerage case study study

• Next StepsNext Steps


Metro VancouverMetro Vancouver• Common name of several legal entities including Common name of several legal entities including

Greater Vancouver Water District and Greater Greater Vancouver Water District and Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage DistrictVancouver Sewerage and Drainage District

• Partnership of 21 municipalities and one electoral areaPartnership of 21 municipalities and one electoral area• Board comprises elected officials from member Board comprises elected officials from member

municipalitiesmunicipalities• Services a population exceeding two million (projected Services a population exceeding two million (projected

2.7 million by 2027) and a land area of approx 280,000 2.7 million by 2027) and a land area of approx 280,000 haha


Role of Metro VancouverRole of Metro Vancouver• Delivery of utility services most effectively and Delivery of utility services most effectively and

efficiently provided on a regional basisefficiently provided on a regional basis• Protection and enhancement of quality of life in the Protection and enhancement of quality of life in the

regionregion


Role in water supplyRole in water supply• Supply water to most of region from three Supply water to most of region from three

mountain reservoirsmountain reservoirs• Reservoirs are typically spilling about 9 Reservoirs are typically spilling about 9

months a yearmonths a year• High demand in summer (outdoor water use)High demand in summer (outdoor water use)• Largely supplied by gravity during winterLargely supplied by gravity during winter


Role in wastewaterRole in wastewater

• Maintain and operate major interceptor Maintain and operate major interceptor sewerssewers

• Maintain and operate 5 treatment plants Maintain and operate 5 treatment plants

AAD (MLD) = 603

AAD (MLD) = 11

AAD (MLD) = 510

AAD (MLD) = 98

AAD (MLD) = 78


Liquid waste planningLiquid waste planning

• Policies and Policies and commitments identified commitments identified in Liquid Waste in Liquid Waste Management Plan Management Plan (approved by Province in (approved by Province in 2002)2002)• Climate change not Climate change not

specifically identified in specifically identified in LWMPLWMP

• Currently undergoing Currently undergoing regularly-scheduled 5-regularly-scheduled 5-year review and updateyear review and update


Metro’s role and climate change Metro’s role and climate change adaptationadaptation

• Mitigation activities (GHG reduction) Mitigation activities (GHG reduction) already well established by late 90s via air already well established by late 90s via air quality role, but…quality role, but…

• Awareness of need for adaptation still Awareness of need for adaptation still developingdeveloping

• Adaptation issues first formally reviewed in Adaptation issues first formally reviewed in an overview in 2000:an overview in 2000:• Adaptation Strategies for Utility Planning Adaptation Strategies for Utility Planning

(Environment Canada)(Environment Canada)• Identifies climate projections and briefly outlines potential Identifies climate projections and briefly outlines potential

impacts (rising sea levels, spring flooding, summer impacts (rising sea levels, spring flooding, summer drought, etc.)drought, etc.)


Metro’s role and climate change Metro’s role and climate change adaptation for wastewater adaptation for wastewater

infrastructureinfrastructure• Focus on precipitation analysis for Focus on precipitation analysis for wastewater systems in 2002wastewater systems in 2002• Development of GVRD Precipitation Scenarios Development of GVRD Precipitation Scenarios

(KWL Consulting)(KWL Consulting)• Comprehensive analysis of historical Comprehensive analysis of historical

precipitation and future projections,precipitation and future projections,• Identifies patterns of increased rainfallIdentifies patterns of increased rainfall• But likely yet “…no urgent need to upgrade But likely yet “…no urgent need to upgrade

the capacity of combined sewers, storm the capacity of combined sewers, storm sewers and drainage systems.”sewers and drainage systems.”

• But situation needs to be monitored and But situation needs to be monitored and periodically re-assessed…periodically re-assessed…


2004: Increasing recognition of need 2004: Increasing recognition of need for adaptation in engineering practicefor adaptation in engineering practice


2005: Drinking Water Management 2005: Drinking Water Management PlanPlan

• A number of recent studies A number of recent studies used to identify climate used to identify climate change impacts / change impacts / adaptationsadaptations• Some impacts / adaptations Some impacts / adaptations

related to ensuring related to ensuring sufficient water stored for sufficient water stored for summer months and summer months and increased efforts at DSMincreased efforts at DSM

• Climate change may move Climate change may move forward the date when forward the date when storage increase required storage increase required (i.e. dam raising, lower (i.e. dam raising, lower intakes and alpine lakes) intakes and alpine lakes) by approximately 10 years.by approximately 10 years.


And then there was 2007…And then there was 2007…

• IPCC report released early in the yearIPCC report released early in the year• GVRD Historical and Future Rainfall GVRD Historical and Future Rainfall

Analysis Update (Pacific Climate Impacts Analysis Update (Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium)Consortium)• Generally affirms KWL conclusionsGenerally affirms KWL conclusions• Identifies more evidence of statistically-Identifies more evidence of statistically-

significant trends of increased rainfall significant trends of increased rainfall (especially short duration storms in spring)(especially short duration storms in spring)

• Political Board requests update on Political Board requests update on adaptation activitiesadaptation activities


Engineers Canada and vulnerability Engineers Canada and vulnerability assessmentsassessments

• Staff membership on Water Resources Staff membership on Water Resources Expert Working Group and Stormwater / Expert Working Group and Stormwater / Wastewater Expert Working GroupWastewater Expert Working Group

• Staff determined that wastewater Staff determined that wastewater vulnerability assessment needed most vulnerability assessment needed most urgentlyurgently

• At staff request, Board approves At staff request, Board approves partnership with Engineers Canada in partnership with Engineers Canada in study of wastewater infrastructure study of wastewater infrastructure vulnerabilityvulnerability


Initiating vulnerability Initiating vulnerability assessmentassessment• Agreement developed between Metro Agreement developed between Metro

Vancouver and Engineers CanadaVancouver and Engineers Canada• Working with Engineers Canada, staff Working with Engineers Canada, staff

issued Request for Proposal focussing on issued Request for Proposal focussing on Vancouver Sewerage AreaVancouver Sewerage Area

• KWL Consulting awarded contractKWL Consulting awarded contract• Lead: Andrew Boyland, P.Eng.Lead: Andrew Boyland, P.Eng.• Associated EngineeringAssociated Engineering

• Treatment Sub-ConsultantTreatment Sub-Consultant• Dean Shiskowski, Ph.D, P.Eng.Dean Shiskowski, Ph.D, P.Eng.


Local Geography of VSALocal Geography of VSA

Burrard InletBurrard Inlet

Strait of Strait of GeorgiaGeorgia

Fraser RiverFraser River

North Shore MountainsNorth Shore Mountains

Iona Island WWTPIona Island WWTP


Quick Facts:Quick Facts:Vancouver Sewerage AreaVancouver Sewerage Area

• Service Population: 600,000Service Population: 600,000• Service Area: 13,000 haService Area: 13,000 ha• Predominantly serviced by Predominantly serviced by

combined sewerscombined sewers• Combined sewer overflows Combined sewer overflows

during wet weatherduring wet weather• Approximately 40% serviced Approximately 40% serviced

by separated sanitary sewersby separated sanitary sewers• Wastewater drains to Iona Wastewater drains to Iona

Island Wastewater Treatment Island Wastewater Treatment PlantPlant

• As well as City of Vancouver, As well as City of Vancouver, VSA includes all of UBC and VSA includes all of UBC and part of the cities of Burnaby part of the cities of Burnaby and Richmondand Richmond


Regional collection systemRegional collection system


• Located in a west-coast marine climate zoneLocated in a west-coast marine climate zone• Regional climate highly influenced by El Nino Southern Regional climate highly influenced by El Nino Southern

Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (additive or Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (additive or mitigating)mitigating)

• Generally subject to west to east weather patternsGenerally subject to west to east weather patterns• Winter climate dominated by repeated cyclonic storms Winter climate dominated by repeated cyclonic storms

(long duration precipitation of moderate intensity)(long duration precipitation of moderate intensity)• RainfallRainfall

• Annual rainfall is typically about 1,800 mmAnnual rainfall is typically about 1,800 mm• One day maximum rainfall about 73.1 mmOne day maximum rainfall about 73.1 mm• Typically highly variable through region due to geographyTypically highly variable through region due to geography

• TemperaturesTemperatures• January temperatures average about -0.6 to 5 deg C.January temperatures average about -0.6 to 5 deg C.• August temperatures average about 11 to 23 deg C.August temperatures average about 11 to 23 deg C.

Climate Quick Facts:Climate Quick Facts:Vancouver Sewerage AreaVancouver Sewerage Area


• Sewer separation is Sewer separation is major long-term strategy major long-term strategy outlined to address CSOsoutlined to address CSOs• Commitment to Commitment to

eliminate CSOs by 2050 eliminate CSOs by 2050 with interim rates of with interim rates of sewer separationsewer separation

• Most regional sewers, Most regional sewers, once fully separated, once fully separated, would be transferred to would be transferred to City ownershipCity ownership

• Iona upgrade to Iona upgrade to secondary by 2020secondary by 2020

• Iona to maintain 17 mIona to maintain 17 m33/s /s peak flow capacitypeak flow capacity

Quick Facts on Liquid Waste Quick Facts on Liquid Waste Management PlanManagement Plan

Livable Region Strategy Plan Review towards 2031Infrastructure components Infrastructure components considered upstream of treatment considered upstream of treatment

plantplant• Wastewater Infrastructure and Wastewater Infrastructure and Collection SystemCollection System

• Combined Sewer TrunksCombined Sewer Trunks• Pump Stations & Wet WellsPump Stations & Wet Wells• Force MainsForce Mains• SiphonsSiphons• OutfallsOutfalls• ManholesManholes

• Flow & Level MonitorsFlow & Level Monitors• Grit ChambersGrit Chambers• Flow Control Flow Control

StructuresStructures• Control ValvesControl Valves• Air ValvesAir Valves


Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Iona Island Wastewater Treatment PlantPlant

• Began operating in Began operating in 19631963

• Primary treatment Primary treatment • Current plan is to Current plan is to

upgrade to secondary upgrade to secondary by 2020by 2020

• Discharges through a 7 Discharges through a 7 km deep sea outfall to km deep sea outfall to Strait of Georgia (90 m Strait of Georgia (90 m below sea level)below sea level)

• 2007 AAD = 603 MLD2007 AAD = 603 MLD


Infrastructure components Infrastructure components considered at treatment plantconsidered at treatment plant

• Process, hydraulic and supporting Process, hydraulic and supporting infrastructureinfrastructure

• ScreeningScreening• Influent pumpingInfluent pumping• Grit removalGrit removal• Primary clarificationPrimary clarification• Sludge thickeningSludge thickening• Sludge digestionSludge digestion• Sludge lagoonsSludge lagoons

• Treatment liquid Treatment liquid streamstream

• Effluent disposalEffluent disposal• On-site pipelinesOn-site pipelines• Buildings, tankage and Buildings, tankage and

housed process housed process equipmentequipment

• Standby generatorsStandby generators


Timelines and general climate Timelines and general climate factorsfactors

• Focus on 2020 and 2050 (i.e. no 2080 Focus on 2020 and 2050 (i.e. no 2080 scenario)scenario)

• Climate modelling by OURANOS suggested Climate modelling by OURANOS suggested that by 2020 and, to a greater extent by that by 2020 and, to a greater extent by 2050, we can expect:2050, we can expect:• Increased rainfall, including more frequent Increased rainfall, including more frequent

and more intense rainfall eventsand more intense rainfall events• Rises in the sea levelRises in the sea level• Increases in storm surge, floods and extreme Increases in storm surge, floods and extreme

gustsgusts


Detail climate factorsDetail climate factors

• 2050 Horizon2050 Horizon• *Intense Rain – (24 hr – 73mm) *Intense Rain – (24 hr – 73mm) ➚➚ 17% 17%

increaseincrease• *Annual Rain – (1881mm) *Annual Rain – (1881mm) ➚ 14%➚ 14% increaseincrease• *Sea Level – 0.3 – 1.6m (2080 Horizon) *Sea Level – 0.3 – 1.6m (2080 Horizon)

increaseincrease• *Storm Surge – N/A, expected *Storm Surge – N/A, expected increaseincrease• Temperature – 1.4 – 2.8c Temperature – 1.4 – 2.8c increaseincrease• Drought – no change (20 days)Drought – no change (20 days)• Wind – N/A, expected Wind – N/A, expected increaseincrease


Climate factorsClimate factors

• Snowfall – Snowfall – decreasedecrease• Frost, Ice, Freeze Thaw – Frost, Ice, Freeze Thaw – decreasedecrease

• Other Effects:Other Effects:• Flooding – Fraser River - Flooding – Fraser River - decrease (?)decrease (?)• Ground Subsidence – 2mm/yr Ground Subsidence – 2mm/yr

• Data Gaps: Data Gaps: • Rainfall IDF curves, shorter durationsRainfall IDF curves, shorter durations• Wind, Storm SurgeWind, Storm Surge


Key VulnerabilitiesKey Vulnerabilities

• Key VulnerabilitiesKey Vulnerabilities• Combined Sewer Combined Sewer

Overflows (CSO)Overflows (CSO)• Intense rain, annual Intense rain, annual

rainrain

• WWTP FloodingWWTP Flooding• Combined effects of Combined effects of

storm surge, sea level storm surge, sea level rise and subsidencerise and subsidence

• Effluent Disposal – Effluent Disposal – outfall/jetty outfall/jetty structurestructure• Storm surge, Storm surge,

wind/wave effectswind/wave effects

Photo: Corporation of Delta


Detail vulnerabilitiesDetail vulnerabilities


Policy RecommendationsPolicy Recommendations

• Important to use this information in:Important to use this information in:• Review and update of the Liquid Waste Review and update of the Liquid Waste

Management Plan (i.e. regional design Management Plan (i.e. regional design standards / commitments related to climate standards / commitments related to climate change, reaffirming commitments to green change, reaffirming commitments to green infrastructure?)infrastructure?)

• Next phase of treatment upgrading (i.e. Next phase of treatment upgrading (i.e. designing secondary treatment to designing secondary treatment to accommodate sea level rise and storm accommodate sea level rise and storm surge)surge)

• Reaffirming timelines and commitments to Reaffirming timelines and commitments to sewer separationsewer separation


Technical recommendationsTechnical recommendations

• Further study suggested to determine Further study suggested to determine increase in sewer flowsincrease in sewer flows

• Further study suggested to determine if Further study suggested to determine if additional sewer separation effort required additional sewer separation effort required to eliminate CSOs by 2050to eliminate CSOs by 2050

• Identify stand-by power requirementsIdentify stand-by power requirements• Assess potential for WWTP floodingAssess potential for WWTP flooding


Cross-cutting issues (?) for other Cross-cutting issues (?) for other communitiescommunities

• Combined Sewers may have ‘built-in’ adaptive Combined Sewers may have ‘built-in’ adaptive capacity. capacity. • Designed to overflow in controlled mannerDesigned to overflow in controlled manner• Many built when sizing was empirical. (i.e. big enough Many built when sizing was empirical. (i.e. big enough

for a person to walk through)for a person to walk through)• Mitigation of CSOs and reduction of risk consistent with Mitigation of CSOs and reduction of risk consistent with

sewer separation and can be consistent with sewer separation and can be consistent with adaptation (if new climate data considered)adaptation (if new climate data considered)

• Climate data uncertaintyClimate data uncertainty• Regional models unable to account for local effects Regional models unable to account for local effects

(wind speed & direction, storm surge, extremely (wind speed & direction, storm surge, extremely variable geography) variable geography)

• Expense/practicality limited the model runs to two Expense/practicality limited the model runs to two initial conditions (same GHG scenario)initial conditions (same GHG scenario)


Cross-cutting issues (?)Cross-cutting issues (?)

• Infrastructure vulnerability issues more cross-Infrastructure vulnerability issues more cross-cutting than climate change factors?cutting than climate change factors?• i.e. climate change factors possibly only relevant to i.e. climate change factors possibly only relevant to

Vancouver (mild coastal effects), but the Vancouver (mild coastal effects), but the “infrastructure deficit” is more cross-cutting“infrastructure deficit” is more cross-cutting

• Process highlights ongoing management actions Process highlights ongoing management actions • i.e. complete emergency response plan, review i.e. complete emergency response plan, review

standby power availabilitystandby power availability• Design assumptions for very old infrastructure Design assumptions for very old infrastructure

often not readily availableoften not readily available• i.e. to determine basis of capacityi.e. to determine basis of capacity


Next steps for Metro StaffNext steps for Metro Staff

• Report to Regional Engineers Advisory Report to Regional Engineers Advisory CommitteeCommittee• Consists of most senior engineer from each Consists of most senior engineer from each

member municipalitymember municipality• Discuss and finalize technical recommendationsDiscuss and finalize technical recommendations

• Report to Waste Management Committee and Report to Waste Management Committee and BoardBoard• With recommendation for further actions and With recommendation for further actions and

studies for this and other aspects of our utilitiesstudies for this and other aspects of our utilities• Major policy decisions ($$$) need Board approvalMajor policy decisions ($$$) need Board approval


Questions?Questions?

Metro Vancouver Sewerage Area Case StudyMetro Vancouver Sewerage Area Case Study

Infrastructure Integrity and Climate Change: Metro Vancouver Case Study

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