Wastewater is any water that leaves our homes or businesses from sinks, tubs, drains and toilets. This water is processed at Penticton’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, an industry-leading facility that treats an average of 12 million litres of water each day.
It’s a biological process that uses the latest technologies and proven scientific methods to ensure treated water is environmentally sound.
About Our Treatment Plant
The plant began operation in 1948 and has expanded extensively, today located on Waterloo Avenue. It is one of the most advanced wastewater treatment plants in North America and complies with strict permit regulations set out by the B.C. Ministry of Environment. The facility also accepts wastewater from both private septic systems and the OK Falls treatment plant within the neighbouring Regional District area.
Take a Tour
Are you curious to learn more about the wastewater treatment process? We’re happy to show people around the facility, whether you’re part of a school group or other members of the community. Find out more about tours available.
Think Before You Flush
We can all takes steps to prevent clogs and odours in our drains and sewers. Did you know that if grease and other cooking oils are poured down the drain, it can cause clogging in your pipes and even a sewer backup? Visit our Unflushables page to learn more about what you can – and can’t – put down the drains.
How it All Works
Put simply, the process goes like this:
- A biological nutrient removal process removes phosphorus and nitrogen.
- Gravitational processes are used to remove solids, which are composted.
- Ultraviolet disinfection is applied to disable any harmful bacteria before being discharged.
Reclaimed water is used to irrigate city parks, sports fields, school grounds and the Penticton Golf and Country Club.
Read about Penticton’s water treatment history, the water supply system, monitoring and more in the 2022 Advanced Waste Water Treatment Plant Annual Report.