West Southlands Residents Association
Neighbourhood News
DUNBAR SEWER PUMP STATION UPGRADE
The sewer pump station on West 49th Ave (west of Dunbar, north side) has reached the end of its service life. It is being replaced to meet new safety requirements and features an earthquake-resilient design with protection against rising sea levels. Construction began in early 2025 and is expected to be finished by summer 2026.
When the station is completed, it will be screened from the neighbouring property by lodge pole pine trees, red flowering currant, and salmonberry. To screen the station from the street, salmonberry, HM Eddie yew, and snowberry will be planted in front.
The City is also exploring some possible improvements to the ditch along West 49th Ave to help address storm water drainage in the area.
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For more information, see our May 2025 Newsletter​​ or the City website about the project.
HIGHBURY INTERCEPTOR
The Highbury Interceptor sewer main runs through Musqueam Park; we walk on top of it along the trail that goes from the bottom of Alma down to the 48th Avenue path.
Last year, some residents noticed a sewage stink coming from the Interceptor Air Management Building. MetroVancouver is responsible for the building and indicated that our observations are helpful and asked that we register them on the following website or by phoning 604-436-6777.​​
ANNUAL MEETING NOTES
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NEIGHBOURHOOD NEWS
2022 Dec Newsletter ( 简讯ä¸æ–‡ )
2022 August Newsletter ( 简讯ä¸æ–‡ )
2021 Dec Newsletter ( 简讯ä¸æ–‡ )
To be on our newsletter email list, send your email & street address to wsouthlands300@gmail.com
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THANK YOU MARY
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Mary Tataryn has retired from her role as Co-Chair of the West Southlands Residents Association. We have all benefitted from her tireless advocacy over the last 20 years. She has made our community a better place.
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IONA TREATMENT PLANT
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The Highbury Interceptor takes Vancouver sewage to the 60-year-old Iona Treatment Plant on the south side of the Fraser. Work is underway on a $10-billion upgrade of the plant from primary to tertiary treatment.
Barges may be used to haul away dirt during construction; they would replace 250-500 dump truck trips/day. Four barge berth sites are being studied.
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BRIDGE REPLACEMENT
The bridge along the 48th Avenue path near Crown has been replaced and is looking very heavy duty!​​​
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TRAFFIC CONTROL
In June 2023, the City made 51st Avenue safer by lowering its speed limit to 30 km/h, installing speed humps, and repainting the crosswalk at the Wallace Trail.
We are still advocating for the speed limit to be reduced to 30 km/h everywhere in the neighbourhood. City Council passed a motion in winter 2024 asking staff to look at 30 km/h speed limits along all neighbourhood streets.​​​
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FLOOD PREVENTION
These are some of the actions, the City has taken to help prevent flooding in our area:
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Inspections of the neighbourhood catch-basins are done on a regular schedule.
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The tide gates at the foots of Blenheim, Carrington and Dunbar were replaced or refurbished over the last 3 years. The tide gate at McLeery is the next to be replaced. The City monitors the tide gates weekly.
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Ditch maintenance is done annually.
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The City monitors weather & tides throughout the winter.
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Pumps are placed at the Wallace ditch & at Celtic and Carrington for the winter.
简讯ä¸æ–‡
The newsletter is posted also in Chinese, translated by director Cynthia Fung.
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