The Capital Regional District is about to tackle the second of the three main elements that make up the region’s $765-million wastewater-treatment project.
While site preparation for the wastewater-treatment plant continues at McLoughlin Point, and much of the system of pipes and pumps for the project is in the design phase, the CRD has chosen the group it wants to design, build and operate the $147-million residuals treatment facility, to be located at the Hartland Landfill site in Saanich.
Hartland Resource Management Group, a consortium of firms including Bird Capital, Bird Construction, Maple Reinders and Synagro Technologies, will enter negotiations with the CRD for the contract.
CRD spokesman Andy Orr said the district intends to negotiate a contract with Hartland Resource Management, though it reserves the right to talk with two other groups that expressed interest if an agreement cannot be reached.
Harbour Resource Partners and Hartland Biosolids Partners were the other groups shortlisted for the project.
The residuals treatment facility will use an anaerobic digestion process, followed by a dryer process, to turn residual solids from the wastewater treatment plant into Class A biosolids.
The resulting dried biosolid product will look similar to dark ash and can be used as an alternative energy source.
The facility will have the capacity to treat more than 14,000 dry tonnes of residuals per year.
“Bird is proud to be part of the consortium selected as the preferred proponent to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the CRD’s residuals treatment facility,” said Ian Boyd, chief executive with Bird Construction, in a statement.
“This important project adds to our expanding portfolio of environmental and public-private partnership projects and further secures the company as a key Canadian participant in this delivery model and in this sector.”
The residuals treatment facility is being funded by P3 Canada, the province and the CRD.
Negotiations between the CRD and Hartland Resource Management are expected to result in a contract in February, with construction to start in the spring. The facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2020.
The treatment processing tanks will be covered and odour-control systems will be in place, so the facility will have no discernible odour in the community, the CRD has said.
