Metro Vancouver announces review of wastewater facility where costs grew to $3.86B

BURNABY — The Metro Vancouver regional district says it is moving ahead with an independent review into the North Shore wastewater treatment plant over its construction costs that ballooned to $3.86 billion.

The district says in a statement that lawyer Randal Kaardal has been reconfirmed to finalize terms with an independent review team.

It says the team will then look into the wastewater plant program “at arm’s length” from Metro Vancouver, with full access to its governance, financing and delivery.

Metro Vancouver had launched the review in 2024 but put that on pause due to lawsuits between it and Acciona Wastewater Solutions, the project’s original contractor.

It announced last month that Acciona and Metro Vancouver reached a settlement agreement through mediation, with the company agreeing to pay the district $235 million.

The North Shore wastewater plant was originally estimated to cost $700 million in 2013, but that has grown to nearing $3.4 billion with a completion date extended to 2030 as design and construction deficiencies are reworked.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2026.

The Canadian Press