The Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant (IIWWTP) occupies a complex site of intersecting human and ecological systems. Since the early 1900s, infrastructure in the Fraser River Estuary has disrupted natural estuary processes, directly impacting juvenile salmon and other species. The IIWWTP Projects will upgrade the existing treatment plant with a complementary range of ecological restoration projects. These projects will reconnect the river and sea, create off-channel habitats, regenerate and expand freshwater wetlands, and restore upland terrestrial habitats. Ecosystem-based, flood-protection strategies will also be implemented to increase Iona Island’s resilience to sea-level rise. The Conceptual Design for the IIIWWTP Project was developed through a multidisciplinary integrated design process and with input from Musqueam Indian Band (xʷməθkʷəy̓əm/Musqueam), neighbours and stakeholders. This project is a transformative opportunity to integrate urban infrastructure with ecological restoration, climate change adaptation and Indigenous reconciliation to create a significant and ongoing legacy for the region.
