Overview
This wastewater treatment facility in Kelowna, British Columbia, serves approximately 78,778 people. It is an operational plant that discharges into the local watershed, ultimately draining into Okanagan Lake.
Located in Kelowna, British Columbia, this wastewater treatment facility serves a population of around 78,778 people. The plant is operational and plays a key role in managing municipal wastewater for the region. As a medium-sized agglomeration, it is subject to Canadian federal and provincial regulations for wastewater treatment and discharge. Under Canadian regulations, facilities of this scale typically employ secondary or advanced treatment to meet effluent quality standards. The regulatory framework includes the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and British Columbia's Municipal Wastewater Regulation, which set requirements for treatment levels and discharge quality. The treated effluent from this facility is discharged into the local watershed, which flows into Okanagan Lake. Okanagan Lake is a large, deep freshwater lake that supports diverse aquatic life and is a vital resource for recreation, drinking water, and irrigation. The lake ultimately drains via the Okanagan River into the Columbia River system, which flows to the Pacific Ocean.
Environmental context
The plant discharges into the Okanagan Lake watershed, a sensitive freshwater ecosystem. Okanagan Lake is a large, deep lake that supports diverse aquatic species and provides critical habitat for fish such as kokanee salmon and rainbow trout. The lake's water quality is important for local communities and downstream environments, including the Okanagan River and the Columbia River basin. Protecting this watershed from nutrient pollution and contaminants is essential for maintaining ecological health and recreational uses.
Frequently asked questions
The facility is located in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, near Okanagan College on K. L. O. Road.
The plant serves approximately 78,778 people in the Kelowna area.
The treated effluent is discharged into the local watershed, which flows into Okanagan Lake, a major freshwater lake in British Columbia.
The plant operates under Canadian federal regulations (Canadian Environmental Protection Act) and British Columbia's Municipal Wastewater Regulation, which set standards for treatment and discharge.
In Canada, plants of this scale typically employ secondary or advanced treatment to meet effluent quality standards, especially when discharging into sensitive water bodies like Okanagan Lake.
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