I keep hearing that Esquimalt’s refusal to rezone the land at McLoughlin Point and Environment Minister Mary Polak’s refusal to intervene on sewage treatment “has cost taxpayers tens of millions and will now cost millions more.”
Every time I hear this, I become more determined to implement a solution that will cost less, accomplish a higher level of treatment and be embraced by the region’s residents and businesses.
Some view Polak’s refusal to intervene as a crisis. I don’t. The firmness of her decision, promises of funding and the knowledge that federal deadlines are not imminent provide us with a rare opportunity.
With the unwillingness of the Capital Regional District to undertake a review of its sewage project after much public outcry, and now that the CRD plan is defunct, individual municipalities are left to seek solutions that are long-term, ecologically sound and cost-effective. I welcome this opportunity.
Colwood and Esquimalt have taken leadership and publicly recognized that a better way forward exists. Both municipalities are seeking the knowledge required to implement waste-management solutions that are in the best interest of their residents. These efforts will rely on independent examinations of treatment options and ensure that the selected systems maximize efficiency and affordability, and bring with them long-lasting benefits.
It’s time for Victoria to take action. Coun. Marianne Alto and Mayor Dean Fortin are proposing that council ask staff for the implications for the city of proceeding with a local liquid-waste treatment facility.
There are two ways in which their proposal can be strengthened. First, to start with a fresh set of eyes, the city needs to seek outside advice from people who have not been involved in the CRD’s project from its inception. Second, to innovate and build for the future, the city needs to consider multiple sewage treatment/resource recovery sites rather than begin with the notion that a single site is the best way forward.
And finally, Victoria must not begin with the premise that led to the CRD project’s failure — an “us versus them” mentality. Victoria cannot begin by saying: “We tried to be good regional players but the region doesn’t want to play.” There is an opportunity to collaborate and partner with our neighbours through co-operative research, contracting and public consultation, and maybe even in shared facilities where environmental and economic benefits exist.
Victoria must begin with openness, a willingness to innovate and collaborate, and, most importantly, a willingness to engage our residents in the process. We need to rebuild the relationship between the public and its government.
To achieve a desirable outcome, Victoria must:
• implement tertiary level of treatment to capture the chemicals of emerging concern and limit micro-plastic pollution;
• employ modern technologies that allow for plants with a smaller footprint;
• maximize heat, energy and water recovery;
• reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
• apply “SmartGrowth” principles to inform all decision-making;
• integrate an active program to repair our underground piping network;
• and finally, change the story from large-scale sewage treatment plants to human-scale integrated-resource-management projects. This will go a long way to replacing the cry, “Not in my backyard” with, “In my neighbourhood please!”
This is a turning point — away from the recent controversy and polarization and toward reconciliation. Victoria, Esquimalt, Colwood and others can and must design and build treatment systems that our residents not only can afford, but also can be proud of.
Lisa Helps is a Victoria city councillor.