French Creek Pollution Control Centre
Wastewater from approximately 29,000 people and businesses in Qualicum Beach, Parksville and the service areas of French Creek, Pacific Shores, Surfside and Barclay Crescent flows to FCPCC. FCPCC also treats septage from septic systems and wastewater from properties with holding tanks. The RDN is planning an expansion and odour control upgrade project to meet the needs of a growing population and address odours.
FCPCC currently provides primary and secondary treatment to remove more than 90% of the biological oxygen demand (BOD) and total suspended solids (TSS), two common measures of water quality. Visit our How Treatment Works page to learn more about wastewater treatment.
Solids removed during the treatment process are treated further to become biosolids. Visit our Biosolids Management page to learn how biosolids are managed in the RDN.
FCPCC treated 3.8 billion litres of wastewater in 2021. Treated wastewater is discharged into the Strait of Georgia 2,440 m offshore at a depth of 61 m. For more information see the 2021 FCPCC Annual Report.
Major Projects & Improvements:
| TBD | Expansion and Odour Control Upgrade Project |
| 2009-2011 | Upgrade and forcemain twinning at the Lee Road Pump Station |
| 2005 | Commissioned fourth digester, increasing plant capacity |
| 1999 | Odour control strategy implemented |
| 1994-1997 | Doubled FCPCC's capacity, and installed solids contact tank and trickling filter to improve the quality of effluent |
| 1977 | Built using secondary treatment with activated sludge technology, ending the discharge of raw sewage to the Salish Sea |