Response received by Dr Peter Klinke to his Email letter to Minister Barry Penner of September 15th 2009.
October 6, 2009
Dr. W. Peter Klinke
Dear Dr. Klinke:
Thank you for your email of September 15, 2009, addressed to the Honourable Barry Penner, Minister of Environment, regarding the scientific evidence to support sewage treatment for Victoria and the costs of treatment. The Minister has asked that I respond on his behalf.
The issue of sewage treatment in the Capital Regional District has been studied and debated for many years. The scientific evidence is clear that the current practice of flushing sewage into the Strait of Juan de Fuca is not sustainable and will not protect human health and the environment. The current CRD practice does not meet provincial or federal regulatory standards. These are all evidence-based, scientific standards, established to ensure protection of human health and the environment. The decision to move forward with planning for treatment has been made and is supported by the British Columbia government, the federal government and the CRD.
In May 2006 the Minister received and reviewed a report from an independent consultant, MacDonald Environmental Services Ltd. retained by the Ministry of Environment to evaluate the CRD sediment monitoring data for Macaulay Point and Clover Point outfalls. This study found that, based on the available CRD monitoring data, contamination at the two outfalls is sufficient to warrant preliminary designation as contaminated sites under the Contaminated Sites Regulation. The study also showed that water quality guidelines for sediments are not being met outside the initial dilution zone at Macaulay Point. Here is the link to the report, for your information: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/main/prgs/docs/sq_crd_outfalls.pdf
On July 12, 2006, the CRD Board received a report from an independent scientific panel, known as the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, detailing the results of the panel’s review of the CRD’s sewage practices. The panel reported back that the risk factors, public values, and the regulatory climate argue for the CRD to improve the quality of its effluent. You may wish to view their report at the following website: http://www.crd.bc.ca/wastewater/reviewpanel.htm.
The Minister approved the CRD treatment schedule on December 14, 2007 with several requirements including: minimizing total project costs to the taxpayer by maximizing economic and financial benefits, including beneficial reuse of resources and generation of offsetting revenue and; examine the opportunity to save money, transfer risk and add value through a public private partnership.
I encourage you to visit CRD’s website at http://www.wastewatermadeclear.ca/ which provides details and reports associated with the amendment to their liquid waste management plan, including costs of the sewage treatment project. You may wish to direct any specific questions and concerns regarding costs to the CRD Project Director, Mr. Dwayne Kalynchuk, P. Eng. at 250 360-3000.
Thank you again for sharing your concerns.
Yours truly,
‘original signed by’
R. Alexander
Regional Environmental Protection Manager
Vancouver Island Region