FAQs

The Departure Bay Forcemain was constructed in 1974 to convey wastewater from the Departure Bay Pump Station to the Greater Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre. It carries wastewater from over half of the population in Nanaimo and is the largest of all forcemains operated by the RDN. 

The forcemain and pump station need to be upgraded to accommodate current flows during storms, and future growth. 

In order to upgrade this infrastructure:

• The Departure Bay Pump Station (next to Departure Bay Beach, near the intersection of Hammond Bay and Departure Bay roads), will undergo a major upgrade;
• A new forcemain will be installed along Hammond Bay Road from the pump station to the General Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre (wastewater treatment facility) at McGuffie Road.

The project is still in the preliminary design stage and details about timing and duration are still being sorted out. It's currently estimated that work could start in fall 2025 - follow here for more information as details become available.

In order to install the new forcemain along Hammond Bay Road, single-lane traffic will be required for an extensive period. The section of single lane alternating traffic will move as the pipe is installed. The duration of construction, sequence of work and traffic management plan are all still being developed as part of the design phase.

We understand many people will be eager for further information on this, and the project team is committed to sharing more details as soon as possible.