Outfall I Wastewater Treatment Plant, Prince Rupert, British Columbia

Outfall I is a municipal wastewater treatment plant located on George Hills Way in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, Canada. It serves a population of 4,412 and is situated in the North Coast Regional District, a coastal region with significant marine and estuarine ecosystems. As a Canadian plant, Outfall I operates under the federal Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations (WSER) under the Fisheries Act, which sets national effluent quality standards for all wastewater systems serving over 100 people. The plant discharges treated wastewater into the waters near Prince Rupert, which ultimately flow into the Pacific Ocean via the Hecate Strait and Dixon Entrance. The receiving environment supports diverse marine life, including salmon, herring, and other commercially and ecologically important species.

The treated effluent from Outfall I enters the coastal waters of the Hecate Strait, a biologically productive marine area that supports fisheries, marine mammals, and seabirds. The region is part of the Great Bear Rainforest ecosystem, known for its pristine watersheds and rich biodiversity. The plant's discharge must comply with WSER standards to protect downstream aquatic life and water quality.