waste and potable water treatment facility

Class c (level 2) facility

The Snaw-naw-as Waste Water Facility is rated as a Class “C” Facility under BC Municipal Waste Water Regulation, which means “used” water that is flushed down the toilet or washed down the drain goes through three treatment stages before being pumped into the Salish Sea. These three different stages of treatment are to ensure that we are able to prevent the destruction of our commercial fishing and aquaculture resources as well as the environment itself.

Treatment process

Being a Class “C” Waste Water facility requires the following three stages be completed to meet Municipal Waste Water Regulations: Preliminary Treatment, Primary Treatment, and Secondary Treatment. Each stage plays a key role in filtration and separation of unwanted physical and biological materials from the effluent. More information on individual treatment stages can be found at this Regional District of Nanaimo Waste Water webpage.

The Snaw-naw-as Treatment Facility is also responsible for fulfilling demand for potable water (tap water) in the community. Potable water in Nanoose First Nation is treated with a chlorine direct system to ensure that it meets stringent Small System Water Treatment Standards for human consumption. Furthermore, chlorine residual testing in the system is completed daily in order to be sure that the facility continues to meet Small System Water Treatment Standards during regular operation.

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