Dr Peck's Presentation to the CRD Core Area Liquid Waste Management Committee November 25th 2009.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you again.
Firstly – the 2008 Marine Monitoring report – with its three key results. As in the summary these are that (i) predicted wastewater concentrations in the marine environment met receiving water quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life, (ii) the potential for sea surface human exposure to wastewaters from the outfalls was low, and (iii) there are some limited effects on marine organisms which are restricted to within 100 m at Clover Point and within approximately 200 m east of the Macaulay Point outfall diffuser.
If you had more time to-day, which I am sure you do not, I would like to hear some discussion on how effective the Source Control Program has been over the years. Based on the results in this report, and previous reports, the Program has been protecting the Marine Environment. There needs to be emphasis on what more the Source Program can do to improve that Environment.
Additionally the question of what will sewage treatment do to substances of concern that have been measured, albeit in minute amounts (as in to-days report). Will it have any effect on individual chemicals or organisms? Will it break down chemicals or organisms or will they just get concentrated in the “toxic” sludge?
I would remind you of the last meetings Biosolids report to you which stated “to ensure a successful program concerns about metals, pathogens, emerging contaminants of concern in biosolids products, and air quality, must still be addressed.”
Speaking to the Saanich East/North Oak Bay siting staff report. You have not received from the staff or consultants a “Bare Bones Cost” report which would examine why a Saanich East/North Oak Bay plant was needed at all. Could not all the current requirements of the Regulators be met without a plant in this location? This is particularly after there will be a significant reduction in water flow with the elimination of the combined sewer and drainage system in the Uplands area. The area of land to be occupied by a plant at this site would be larger than the area on the ocean floor where it is possible to measure any impact from the present deep sea discharges.
My third comment is about the proposed amendment to the Liquid Waste Management Plan and the Business case in support of funding. Please consider when you discuss this to-day that you are considering a project with a currently preliminary estimated capital cost of $967,500,000 and an annual operating cost of $20 Million. Like any Mega project the costs are bound to increase.
The present estimated capital cost alone is equivalent to building 14 new Blue Bridges and the annual cost to the Victoria taxpayer is close to the same amount that is currently levied for the police department budget. It will be equivalent to doubling the size of the police department. I ask you is this affordable at this time or in the future?
Finally I must quote you a couple of what seem to me to be entertaining if not slightly absurd comments in the Business case report.
One of the benefits is stated to be improved relations with Washington state and the Seattle area. It states “The existing effluent discharge situation has created a negative perception of the CRD among some regional neighbors in Seattle and surrounding area. The Combined Program would eliminate this cross-border tension and be warmly embraced by Washington State.”
My other comment is “Based upon the standard Federation of Canadian Municipalities economic development infrastructure impact calculator the impact on Canadian Employment will be approximately 10,400 new jobs.”
If my recollection is right I understand that building land based sewage treatment plants will create approximately 40 long term jobs for the operation and maintenance of the plants.
Thank you for your attention,
Dr Shaun Peck,
Public Health Consultant,
Member of Responsible Sewage Treatment Victoria
Member of the Association for Responsible and Environmentally Sustainable Sewage Treatment.