UBC-operated wastewater facility in Maple Ridge cited for multiple environmental violations after inspection
A provincial environmental inspection has found multiple compliance failures at a University of British Columbia-operated wastewater facility in Maple Ridge, prompting a formal warning from the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Parks.
In a February 2, 2026 warning letter, ministry officials outlined a series of violations at the Loon Lake Camp wastewater treatment facility, located in the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest, following an inspection conducted January 7.
The inspection reviewed operations dating back to January 2023 and found the facility was not meeting several requirements under the province’s Municipal Wastewater Regulation, including failures in monitoring, reporting and maintaining basic infrastructure.
Among the most significant findings was the absence of any receiving environment monitoring program – a requirement intended to track potential impacts of wastewater discharge on surrounding groundwater.
The facility’s chief operator told inspectors they were unaware of the requirement, and no monitoring wells could be located on site, according to the province.
Inspectors also found the facility failed to adequately sample and test its wastewater. Records show only four samples were collected over a three-year period, despite quarterly monitoring being required.
In addition, wastewater quality exceeded allowable limits on multiple occasions. Lab results showed elevated levels of biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids, including one sample in April 2024 where suspended solids exceeded regulatory limits by more than 200 percent.
The ministry noted these exceedances were not reported, as required under provincial rules.
The inspection also found the facility lacked a proper flow-measuring device to track how much effluent was being discharged.
Further deficiencies included an outdated operating plan missing key emergency procedures, failure to notify health authorities in the event of system issues, and a lack of required data submissions to the province, some of which had previously been flagged during a 2017 inspection.
The ministry warned that the identified contraventions constitute offences under the regulation and could carry penalties of up to $200,000, or higher under the Environmental Management Act.
While no fines have been issued at this stage, the warning requires UBC to take corrective action and report back within 30 days outlining steps taken to bring the facility into compliance.
The violations will go on UBC’s compliance history and could lead to escalated enforcement, including administrative penalties, if the issues are not resolved. The site will be prioritized for follow-up inspections.
In an email to the Ridge, UBC faculty said they were aware of the warning and are taking the ministry’s concerns seriously.
“Following discussions with ministry staff, we have developed a plan that the ministry has since approved,” said Hélène Marcoux, director of the Malcolm Knapp Research Forest. “Implementation is underway and will take place over a two-year period, in line with the timeline set by the ministry.”
Marcoux also noted the concerns pose no immediate risk to the public or the environment.
