Planning for the Future of Wastewater in Nelson
Through the Liquid Waste Management Plan (LWMP), the City of Nelson is planning how to upgrade or rebuild our wastewater treatment plant, replace the marine forcemain, and explore sustainable solutions like reclaimed water and stormwater management.
This process is about more than pipes and pumps—it’s about clean water, a healthy Kootenay River, long-term affordability, and how we protect public spaces, ecosystems, and future growth.
As we complete Stage 1 of the LWMP, your feedback will help guide decisions, including:
- Where the treatment facility should go
- What level of treatment we should aim for
- Whether reclaimed water is worth exploring
- What matters most to you as a resident or business
Site Options:
These sites were all studied and considered as a part of our initial planning.
Click on each of the hotspots to learn more about each site and see pictures!
How Do the Sites Compare?
Each site was evaluated for environmental risk, cost, compatibility with infrastructure, and community impact. While some were ruled out early, we’ve documented the pros and cons for full transparency.
Click on the tabs below to explore the locations, compare the site options and see how each location scored.....
✅ Suitable Discharge Location
✅ Free of Known Contamination
✅ City Owned
✅ Property Zoned for WWTP
✅ Configured for Current Collection System
✅ Above Flood Plain
✅ Existing Truck/Equipment Access
✅ Geotechnically Suitable
✅ Away from Existing or Proposed Housing
✅ Away from Existing Business
✅ Not in a Visible Location
⚠️ Small site—construction will be more complex but feasible
✅ City Owned
✅ Configured for Current Collection System
✅ Above Flood Plain
✅ Existing Truck/Equipment Access
✅ Away from Existing or Proposed Housing
✅ Away from Existing Business
⚠️ Property not Zoned for WWTP
⚠️ Geotechnical Suitability Highly Questionable
⚠️ Adjacent to City Park/Pathway
⚠️ Visible Location
⚠️ Small site – construction will be more complex
❌ Unsuitable Discharge Location
❌ Contaminated Property with Landfill
✅ Away from City Park/Pathway
✅ Available Space
⚠️ Property Require Rezoning for WWTP
⚠️ Requires Infrastructure for Truck/Equipment Access
⚠️ Unknown Geotechnical Suitability
⚠️ Adjacent to Proposed Housing
⚠️ Adjacent to Existing Business
⚠️ Visible Location
❌ Unsuitable Discharge Location
❌ Not City Owned
❌ Not Configured for Current Collection System
❌ Located in Flood Plain
✅ Away from Existing Business
✅ Available Space
✅ Free of Known Contamination
✅ Above Flood Plain
⚠️ Property Require Rezoning for WWTP
⚠️ Very Poor Truck/Equipment Access
⚠️ Unknown Geotechnical Suitability
⚠️ Adjacent to Existing Housing
⚠️ Adjacent to City Park/Pathway
⚠️ Visible Location
❌ Unsuitable Discharge Location
❌ Not City Owned
❌ Not Configured for Current Collection System
✅ Away from City Park/Pathway
✅ Available Space
⚠️ Risk of Contamination
⚠️ Rezoning Required for WWTP
⚠️ Requires Additional Infrastructure for Truck/Equipment Access
⚠️ Unknown Geotechnical Suitability
⚠️ Adjacent to Existing Business
⚠️ Visible Location
❌ Unsuitable Discharge Location
❌ Not City Owned
❌ Not Configured for Current Collection System
❌ Flood Plain
❌ Adjacent to Proposed Housing
✅ Configured for Current Collection System
✅ Above Flood Plain
✅ Existing Truck/Equipment Access
✅ Available Space
⚠️ Rezoning Required for WWTP
⚠️ Questionable Geotechnical Suitability
⚠️ Adjacent to Existing Business
⚠️ Adjacent to City Park/Pathway
⚠️ Adjacent to Proposed Housing
⚠️ Visible Location
❌ Unsuitable Discharge Location
❌ Contaminated Property
For more info: follow the link to see the full LWMP Site Comparison Chart - showing the Environmental, Ecological and Social considerations explored in the site study. View Chart
Survey Results:
In 2024, over 125 residents shared their thoughts on wastewater, the environment, and City priorities.
Here’s what you told us—and how it’s shaping the next stage of the LWMP.
💧 Protecting water health while also ensuring it's fiscally viable is of the utmost importance
🌱 The long-term ability to handle more population and industry is key
🌳 Respondents support moving forward on back-up systems and improving treatment standards
🏞 A solution that has the smallest environmental impact
🏠 This needs to be made a top priority
Thank you for taking the time to review our Liquid Waste Management Project progress and participating today. We appreciate it!
