FAQ

Municipal sewage treatment is subject to regulations and standards set by the provincial government and, since 2012, now the federal government as well. Planning for the replacement of the City’s current wastewater treatment plant has been ongoing for many years due to persistent challenges with meeting the standards for discharge of treated wastewater. Aside from the regulatory requirements, properly collecting, treating and disposing of our community’s wastewater is critical to our continued health and wellbeing. Untreated or undertreated wastewater can pose significant risks to our own health, local aquatic ecosystems and species, and can impact our quality of life through odors and other negative effects.

The overall projected project cost as of January 2020 is coming in at $37.9 million.

Wastewater treatment facilities are complex and costly. Communities across the country are making significant investments to meet new regulations and guidelines. Within BC a number of communities have faced or are facing similar challenges, including: a $28 million upgrade in Cranbrook; $24 million upgrade in Penticton; a $43 million upgrade in Kamloops; and projected project costs of $22 million in Sechelt; $56 million in the Comox Valley; and $25 million in Powell River. The financial burden on communities is significant and only compounds the existing funding gap municipalities are facing in the replacement of roads, buildings, bridges and other infrastructure.

In 2017, the City received $6.9 million from the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund to help pay for this project. Combined with grants received in previous years, the City has now received a total of $18.1 million  to help offset the costs to taxpayers.

The wastewater treatment plant upgrades will significantly improve the quality of the effluent (treated wastewater being discharged), dramatically reducing any potential public health impacts and improving the aquatic habitat in the Alberni Inlet for all species. Detailed studies and an innovative design process have been undertaken in the plans for the outfall to minimize impacts on salmon.

Community input and feedback is an important part of local government. The City has ensured that local interests were being considered during the design through the formation of Technical and Public Advisory Committees and also through detailed consultation with the Hupacasath and Tseshaht First Nations. This dialogue  brought significant value to the project by incorporating local knowledge and perspectives regarding the unique environmental, recreational and cultural aspects of the estuary, river and harbour.

The City is committed to continuing to work with local interest groups to identify potential project impacts and determine possible mitigation measures.