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Scrap the project, save a billion

Re: “Delays to Seaterra program cost all of us,” April 29.

Re: “Delays to Seaterra program cost all of us,” April 29.

Seaterra director Albert Sweetnam must know that many scientists, engineers and health officers have advised, after extensive studies, that the negative environmental consequences resulting from the construction of a central treatment plant exceed those caused by discharge of raw, screened sewage offshore in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

He mentions secondary treatment plants at Saltspring and on the Peninsula, but fails to mention that the discharge of effluent in those locations is to receiving waters with poor flushing action. It should be noted that no discharge of sewage effluent is permitted in Saanich Inlet, and sewage from Brentwood is piped across the Peninsula.

He continues with an argument against multiple local treatment plants which would cost more than a single plant, but that is not the real issue. He states that we would lose $500 million in grants from senior governments if we don’t build the single treatment plant they require, but fails to mention the equal or greater amount to be paid by local taxpayers, plus operating costs, if we blindly follow orders.

Sweetnam is on record stating that delays to the Seaterra program are costing $1 million a month. Maybe we should scrap the program and save $1 billion.

R.C. Le Noury, P. Eng

North Saanich