Media Release
For Immediate Release
December 19, 2007
CRD Receives Green Light from Province
to Move Ahead with Sewage Treatment Plans
Victoria, BC: The Capital Regional District (CRD) has received tentative approval from the Provincial government for its amended Core Area Liquid Waste Management Plan, paving the way for the CRD to move ahead with its sewage treatment strategy for the Core area municipalities, Denise Blackwell, Board Chair of the CRD announced today.
“Provincial approval enables the CRD to continue to move forward with our sewage treatment strategy,” said Blackwell. “We will be focusing on work that enables us to meet the specific conditions the province has outlined as well as finalizing a detailed business plan and identifying specific site locations.”
Approval was granted for the fixed schedule submitted by the CRD. The schedule identified a time frame for acquisition and construction of a minimum of 4 sewage treatment locations and a biosolids site commencing with land acquisition and completion of the full system by the end of 2016.
The business plan is expected to be submitted to the provincial government by June 30, 2008. The CRD will also be submitting a further amendment to its Liquid Waste Management Plan to the Provincial government by December 31, 2008.
During the past year, the CRD, working with outside technical experts, has made significant progress on a range of issues dealing with sewage treatment, including site reviews, detailed performance standards and resource recovery options.
“This and other work the CRD has undertaken is essential to achieve the objective of providing cost effective, innovative and environmentally-responsible wastewater treatment for our residents,” said Blackwell. “I am pleased the province has confirmed the CRD is on the right track and that Environment Minister Barry Penner has recognized and acknowledged the progress we have made to date by the endorsement of the direction in our “Path Forward” document to minimize and reduce Green House Gas emissions; optimize resource recovery and beneficial re use; and develop a distributed approach to facility development.”
“We are committed to sewage treatment facilities that are sustainable and meet the needs of the region for the long term. This is a goal that I know an overwhelming majority of the residents of the CRD strongly support,” added Blackwell.
For further information please contact
Dwayne Kalynchuk, General Manager, Environmental Services
Office: 250.360.3092
Cell: 250.216.8903