From left to right: Raw fluid entering the plant, solids separating from the liquid, sludge to be sent for composting, final effluent to be discharged.
Creative Salmon’s organic Chinook are “egg to plate.” The eggs are raised to smolts at the hatchery then carefully transported to ocean pens where they grow to harvest size. Once harvested, the fish are processed at Lions Gate Fisheries’ certified organic plant in Tofino before being shipped to Delta and then to customers.
Processing salmon, or any other type of seafood, creates wastewater (effluent). Fred Boyko, Creative’s Wastewater Treatment Supervisor, supports the effort to reduce the company’s environmental footprint at Creative’s wastewater treatment plant.
After collecting water from the harvest boat and processing facility, the plant employs a four-step process.
- Chemical treatment to separate solids from liquids
- The solids are sent to Earth Land and Sea for composting
- The remaining water undergoes ozone and ultraviolet treatments
- The treated water is safely discharged at depth into the ocean
Building Creative’s wastewater treatment plant wasn’t easy, says Fred. “With global supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic equipment deliveries took up to 10 months. Balancing a tight footprint while ensuring proper maintenance and constructibility was another hurdle.”
Although proud to have the facility up and running, Creative Salmon plans to keep exploring future technologies to advance automation and efficiency and continuously improve on wastewater quality.
“Creative Salmon is a proven leader in responsible aquaculture practices,” says Fred. “We are relentless in our research and development and I’m proud to be part of a project that transforms an industry-wide challenge into an opportunity for a brighter, sustainable future.”
