- EPCOR and its partners designed and constructed an acid water mine drainage treatment facility to remove heavy metal contaminants that have been polluting BC’s Howe Sound for decades.
- In its first year, the facility treated four billion litres of water and removed 255,000 kilograms of copper - the equivalent of 30 million pennies.
- Other contaminants such as iron, aluminum, cadmium, manganese and zinc are also removed; the acidity of water is neutralized.
- EPCOR applied its unique expertise with both power and water to enhance the facility’s sustainability. A micro-turbine driven by the mine’s run-off generates about 40 per cent of the power required in the treatment process.
- A state of the art SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) computer-based system monitors the plant operations and water quality on a continuous basis.
- The EPCOR-led team included Stantec and Lockerbie Stanley Inc.
Community Comes First
The community, project partners and key stakeholders were consulted throughout the design and construction of the water treatment plant to ensure their issues were addressed and ideas incorporated. The Britannia Mine Museum attracts over 48,000 visitors annually, and has put forward a development proposal that could see that number increase to 500,000 by 2010. The Village of Britannia Beach is also undergoing a major revitalization as part of the long-term rehabilitation plan. EPCOR is proud to be a part of a project that supports healthy and sustainable communities. EPCOR hosted a grand opening BBQ and plant tours for the community in June 2006.
Contact Information
Christian Madsen
Operations Manager
(604) 232-2235