Brown, cloudy water possible in Metro Vancouver as workers’ pickets expand: union

VANCOUVER — Striking Metro Vancouver workers have expanded labour action to cover the region’s watersheds and treatment plants, but the union says there will be no risk to public health.

The Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees’ Union says in a statement that drinking water in the area may show turbidity — or quality that appears brown or cloudy — due to the expansion of picket lines.

The employer, Metro Vancouver regional district, says in a statement that it too wants to assure residents that drinking water quality will not be impacted by potential strike action, and residents can expect no interruption in essential services.

It says Metro Vancouver has recently offered five dates to restart talks that were declined by the union, and the district has “repeatedly” requested a mediator to be appointed to help reach a deal.

Union president Jesse Medeiros says the members are respecting their essential-service designations and will not jeopardize public health, but the latest job action may result in turbid water coming from Metro Vancouver taps.

The facilities affected by the latest picket include watersheds in Capilano, Seymour and Coquitlam, as well as the Seymour-Capilano Filtration Plant and the Coquitlam Water Treatment Plant.

The weeks-long dispute has seen rotating picket lines at Metro Vancouver’s head office, operations centres and wastewater treatment facilities.

The union’s last contract expired in December 2024, and Medeiros says there are no talks scheduled.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2026.