The Annacis Island wastewater outfall project received the 2025 Canadian Project of the Year - Under $300 Million CAD Award from the Tunnelling Association of Canada (TAC). The project for Metro Vancouver demonstrated the highest level of engineering skill, insight and understanding of underground construction.
The design work was completed in January 2018 by CDM Smith with WSP (Golder Associates) and Delve Underground. CDM Smith Canada led the engineering design, Hatch Ltd. oversaw construction management and the Pomerleau Bessac joint venture was the contractor for the project. The tunnel excavation was completed in late 2024 and the entire project will be completed in 2026.
The Annacis Island wastewater treatment plant is the region’s largest wastewater treatment facility. The plant receives and treats wastewater from 14 Metro Vancouver municipalities to release it safely into the Fraser River.
The goal of the project is to replace the aging infrastructure with a modern system that includes deep conveyance tunnels, on-land and in-river shafts and seismic-resistant diffuser manifolds to significantly enhance wastewater treatment capacity and seismic resilience. The complexity of the Annacis Island WTP New Outfall Project required bold and innovative thinking.
Senior geotechnical engineer John Newby said, “The Annacis Island WTP New Outfall Project presented the most unique challenges I have experienced on a project, combining treatment plant expansion, deep shafts, TBM tunneling, and complex marine construction in a single project. The CDM Smith team that successfully delivered this project was composed of key individuals from numerous disciplines throughout the firm who developed and implemented solutions to these challenges.”
We are proud to lead the way in advancing resilient infrastructure for communities, and this award underscores our unwavering commitment to quality and innovation.
Hala Titus
North America Unit President
“This recognition by the TAC is not only a testament to the extraordinary expertise and dedication of our team, but also a landmark achievement for the entire industry. The Annacis Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Outfall Project exemplifies how CDM Smith consistently delivers transformative solutions that set new standards for engineering excellence and environmental stewardship. We are proud to lead the way in advancing resilient infrastructure for communities, and this award underscores our unwavering commitment to quality and innovation,” said Hala Titus, North America Unit President.
CDM Smith is a privately owned engineering and construction firm providing legendary client service and smart solutions in water, environment, transportation, energy, and facilities. Passionate about our work and invested in each other, we are inspired to think and driven to solve the world’s environmental and infrastructure challenges.