FortisBC has been violating its environmental permit for over a year by discharging excessive amounts of effluent into a creek near Squamish, according to an analysis of weekly water quality reports. The company's pipeline project for the Woodfibre LNG facility released 365 million litres more wastewater than allowed into East Creek, located on Howe Sound's eastern shore.
Excessive Discharge Details
The water treatment plant at the construction site exceeded allowable discharge volumes almost daily from March 2025 to March 2026. On at least 35 days, the effluent volume was more than double the permitted amount. The permit, issued in 2022 by the B.C. Energy Regulator, allows up to 1.5 million litres per day.
Environmental Concerns
Tracey Saxby, executive director of My Sea To Sky, stated that FortisBC has failed to comply since September 2024, dumping pollution with heavy metals into the fragile Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound biosphere. The effluent contains dissolved copper and aluminum above provincial guidelines, which are toxic to aquatic life.
Vicki Marlatt, a SFU toxicology professor, warned that continuous discharge of these metals could harm aquatic life in East Creek and downstream in Howe Sound.
Company Response
FortisBC spokesperson Brooke Rollinson attributed the excess to higher-than-anticipated groundwater inflow during tunnel drilling. She stated the company remains committed to environmental compliance and has a comprehensive water management system.
However, Saxby argues that FortisBC underestimated water inflows and should stop work until the treatment system is upgraded to meet B.C. standards.
