Key insights

• Community-driven innovation: The Capital Regional District’s (CRD) biosolids strategy was shaped by strong public engagement and the board’s responsiveness to environmental concerns. Its shift from traditional disposal methods toward advanced thermal treatment reflects how municipalities are increasingly expected to align infrastructure decisions with evolving community values, such as environmental sustainability and public health concerns.
• Local policy leadership: While municipalities often rely on provincial regulations to shape their decisions, CRD demonstrates that local governments can also lead policy change. Its evolving biosolids strategy underscores the need for municipalities to stay attuned to shifting political and regulatory landscapes at all levels, and to remain flexible in adapting approaches as conditions change.
• Strategic partnerships: CRD’s approach was developed through meaningful engagement with multiple entities, including local residents, CRD’s board, other municipalities, the private sector and local Indigenous communities. The collaborative approach enabled the development of a flexible, multi-tiered strategy that takes advantage of new technological capabilities in biosolids management while reflecting community priorities.

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