Re: “Province has role in sewage debate,” editorial, May 17.
The editorial calling for the province to force the current sewage treatment plan on us failed to mention some vital facts. Much of the opposition to the Capital Regional District’s plan is that it relies on outmoded technology — an expensive, cumbersome system that would not remove most chemicals and pharmaceuticals from the outflow, is very wasteful of water in a city that already has water restrictions; is a breeding ground for superbugs, is more expensive than newer models available, and still does not deal with storm water overflow, causing raw sewage to be dumped into the bays here.
The CRD’s mandate in 2007 was to examine technologies that had a 10-year track record, That is, pre-1997. Technologies have come a long way since then — better, smaller, cheaper. More and more examples are arising around the world of state of the art, highly effective and economically efficient technologies. These smaller tertiary treatment plants can be built as needed.
Surely, for a billion dollars, our system should be state of the art. It’s time for an independent review as recent community-driven petitions have called for.
I doubt the provincial government wants to jump in on the wrong side of this issue.
Cathy Haynes
Saanich
