Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Community-driven ecological upgrades to the Village of Cumberland’s liquid waste filtration process – Phase 2 of the Village’s wastewater treatment system upgrades project – have been endorsed by the Province of British Columbia with the final approval of the the Village’s Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP). This milestone concludes almost nine years of public consultation with input from the Wastewater Advisory Committee and the K’ómoks First Nation.
The move greenlights construction of special features like a Biochar Media Reed Bed, designed to capture pharmaceuticals and other contaminants that conventional treatment can leave behind. The result is a natural, low-energy polishing step that meaningfully improves the quality of the treated water before it re-enters the environment.
“We are very excited about these innovative enhancements to the wastewater treatment plant, which include an engineered reed bed and the restoration and naturalization of a portion of Maple Creek,” said Mayor Vickey Brown. “Together with the lagoon treatment upgrades it will ensure a resilient and sustainable wastewater treatment system for decades to come while also providing important habitat for aquatic species. The Provincial approval reflects years of collaboration with the community, regulators, and staff that allows us to complete upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant and is something to celebrate.”
The final upgrades to the wastewater treatment process will strengthen effluent quality, increase capacity to accommodate future growth, and reduce environmental impacts on receiving waters. Ecological benefits are expected for numerous species of birds, amphibians, and fish as riparian habitat conditions improve.
In March, Cumberland celebrated the completion of Phase 1 of critical upgrades to their wastewater treatment system.
The Wastewater Upgrades (Phase 1) include improvements to the current lagoon system, such as the addition of UV disinfection, improvements to wastewater screening, changes to flow paths at the lagoons and installation of extra aeration. It also includes an operator’s building, improved instrumentation and site security.
This is the largest capital project undertaken by the Village of Cumberland to date, with an updated projected cost of $16.7 million for Phase 1 works and $4.5 million for Phase 2.
Featured image: An official ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the Wastewater Upgrades Project-Phase 1. (Village of Cumberland)
