Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre

The Robert O. Pickard Environmental Centre is a wastewater treatment facility in Ottawa that cleans sewage from the entire city through multiple stages of filtration and biological processing. The cleaned water is then discharged into the Ottawa River.

The facility was first built in 1962 to handle the city's growing sewage needs. Major upgrades in the late 1980s added advanced treatment methods to improve water quality.

The centre stands as a testament to Ottawa's commitment to environmental protection, serving as an educational resource for students and professionals in water management.

The facility can be visited from the outside to see the treatment operations in action along Green Creek Drive. Daytime visits work best since the site is most active and visible during daylight hours.

The facility converts methane gas from sewage treatment into electricity to power its own operations. This energy recovery system demonstrates how waste byproducts can become a valuable resource.

Location: Ottawa

Address: Green Creek Drive

GPS coordinates: 45.46200,-75.58950

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:43