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Better thinking needed on wastewater project

Re: “Capital region to study use of sewage fertilizer,” June 6. This will be the most expensive infrastructure project in the history of the capital region, so we need to get it right.

Re: “Capital region to study use of sewage fertilizer,” June 6.

This will be the most expensive infrastructure project in the history of the capital region, so we need to get it right.

The current plan represents a shortsighted and old-school approach to wastewater treatment that uses outdated technologies unable to support our long-term environmental, social and fiscal responsibilities. Cities all over the world are moving toward waste-to-energy systems as a way to effectively deal with waste while producing valuable heat and electricity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with significant savings to the taxpayer. Sewage can be integrated into these systems, eliminating biosolids and the need for land application or landfilling.

Sites that can accommodate this new global standard for waste management are available. Why are these sites not being thoroughly evaluated by the Capital Regional District? It’s time to pause, rethink and redefine wastewater treatment in the capital region.

Carole Witter

Esquimalt