DATE ISSUED: July 10, 2026

The BC Energy Regulator (BCER) recently approved an amendment to FortisBC’s waste discharge permit for the Eagle Mountain Pipeline Project, following a detailed technical review which found there is no expected adverse effect on water quality or aquatic life.

Protecting the safety of residents and the environment remains a key priority in the BCER’s oversight of the project. Regular environmental monitoring continues under permit requirements and includes weekly water quality sampling at the discharge location and downstream of the discharge point, as well as continuous real-time monitoring of specified water quality parameters. Additional monitoring is also conducted in Howe Sound as part of broader environmental assessment requirements.

The amended permit reflects FortisBC’s realization that construction conditions encountered during tunnelling have differed from what was anticipated when the original permit was issued. Specifically, higher-than-expected volumes of groundwater have entered the tunnel during construction, requiring additional treatment capacity.

To address these conditions, the BCER confirmed that FortisBC upgraded its water treatment facility by increasing treatment and hydraulic capacity, adding back-ups to ensure that systems remain resilient even when something fails, and improving the system’s ability to manage fluctuations in incoming water volumes and water quality. The upgraded treatment system has been designed by qualified professional engineers to meet the requirements of the amended permit and the encountered construction conditions.

Monitoring and technical assessments indicate that treated effluent is not expected to adversely affect fish, aquatic invertebrates or plant life in East Creek or Howe Sound. This is confirmed through bi-weekly testing for potential effects on fish and aquatic invertebrates.

FortisBC self-disclosed to the BCER isolated exceedances of dissolved copper guidelines. However, technical assessments of site-specific conditions, background copper concentrations and available monitoring data indicate these events do not represent a concern from an ecological risk perspective under current conditions. The BCER’s review also considered expert assessments indicating the potential for cumulative environmental effects from the discharge remains low.

The BCER will continue to oversee and ensure FortisBC’s compliance with the amended permit and environmental requirements throughout construction to ensure the project is managed in a manner that protects people, communities and the environment.