Saanich Peninsula’s Thermal Energy Recovery Project has demonstrated to be an effective way of turning municipal wastewater into a productive energy source for the capital region. Using heat recovery technology, the CRD Saanich Peninsula Thermal Energy Recovery system captures renewable energy from wastewater effluent to provide hot water and space heating.
The energy recovery and conveyance system was constructed at the Saanich Peninsula wastewater treatment plant in 2010-2011. The initiative exemplifies an innovation in integrated resource management on southern Vancouver Island; the recovered energy is currently being used to supplement heating requirements at the Panorama Recreation Centre through a district energy system and has the ability to be expanded in the future for other uses.This project stands out as a leading sustainable model by not only reducing corporate and community greenhouse gas emissions, but also stimulating the green economy, and serving as a new unique benchmark for local government service delivery. The project received an Honourable Mention for a 2011 UBCM Community Excellence Award for Best Practices, General.