City of Vancouver Wastewater Pretreatment Lagoon System

The City of Vancouver, Washington sits on the north bank of the Columbia River directly across from Portland, Oregon. The Pacific Coast is less than 90 miles to the west. The Cascade Mountain Range rises to the east. Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and Mt. Hood are less than two hours away. The spectacular Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area lies 30 minutes to the east. Vancouver combines the excitement of a major metropolitan area with small-town charm and abundant recreational opportunities.

The City of Vancouver’s wastewater lagoon is a large, open body of water that is used to treat wastewater from the city’s residents and businesses. The lagoon is located on 22 acres of land and is surrounded by a levee.

In the past, workers who needed to access the lagoon had to go out on boats. This was a dangerous and time-consuming process, and it was not always possible to get the boats close enough to the lagoon to do the necessary maintenance.

The City of Vancouver decided that they needed to find a safer and more manageable way to access the lagoon. After careful consideration, the city decided to build a large floating dock system. The docks were designed to be safe and easy to use, and environmentally friendly.

The system includes three Floating Docks, two Boat Docks, four Custom Lifting and Buoy Retrieval Devices and two Aluminum Gangways. The Aluminum Floating Docks are 506 feet long, 239 feet long, and 30 feet long. The boat docks are 5 feet by 13 feet and 5 feet by 11 feet. All docks are equipped with PVC Decking, Heavy Duty Triple Aluminum Railings, Custom Stairs and Electric Conduit.

The floating docks and gangways are made of durable materials that can withstand the elements. This floating dock system has improved accessibility and provides a safe and convenient way for workers to access the lagoon. 

The floating docks have made it much easier for workers to access the lagoon. They can now walk out onto the dock and do the necessary maintenance without having to worry about getting in a boat. The dock has also made it easier for the city to monitor the lagoon and to respond to any problems that may arise.

The floating dock is a safe, efficient, and environmentally friendly way to access the City of Vancouver’s wastewater lagoon. It has made it easier for workers to do their jobs, and it has helped to improve the overall management of the lagoon.

Their new floating dock system has provided a safer working environment for employees. Ensuring safe inspections and maintenance on the lagoon, allowing for easier access to the lagoon for emergency response teams. Not to mention the floating docks are a more sustainable option than using boats. The floating dock is an excellent example of how the City of Vancouver is working to improve the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of its wastewater treatment operations.

The City of Vancouver Washington’s lagoon is on 22 acres of land and treats wastewater from three large food-processing plants, including Frito Lay, Great Western Malting and NW Packing, all of which discharge high-strength wastewater containing sugar and potato starches that require different treatment processes than residential wastewater. 

This facility provides a cost-effective way to pre-treat this wastewater and prevent overburdening the city’s Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant which provides wastewater treatment for about 30,000 residential households throughout west and central Vancouver.

This project is a win-win for the City of Vancouver, its industrial customers, and the environment. The upgrade will save the city money, reduce its carbon footprint, and improve the sustainability of its wastewater treatment operations.

The upgrade is a prime example of the city’s commitment to sustainability. Where many wastewater pre-treatment plants across the country require solids collected to be loaded into trucks and driven many miles off-site or placed in landfills, solids collected at the Vancouver lagoon are used to improve soil conditions at a private farm operation just north of the lagoon.