Mr. Floatie Has Retired: Lessons Learned During Commissioning of a Greenfield Wastewater Treatment Plant in Victoria BC

The McLoughlin Point Wastewater Treatment Plant (MPWWTP) in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, is a greenfield tertiary treatment plant that services the Capital Regional District. The MPWWTP was commissioned and brought into service in autumn 2020, replacing an existing preliminary treatment system. During the commissioning effort at MPWWTP, challenges were posed by the small plant footprint and compact design, combinations of treatment technologies, stringent regulatory compliance requirements, decentralized facilities for residuals handling and screening, and the tight timeline for startup and commissioning. These challenges incited fastpaced problem solving, collaboration, and real-time learning for the project team. The successful commissioning of the MPWWTP was a result of strategic planning, consistent and thorough communication, and practiced flexibility. Despite various hurdles, the project was delivered to the client on schedule, and the resulting lessons learned are widely applicable to future full-scale commissioning efforts.