Editorial Comment:
The following response to Dr Peck's letter to the Minister of April 28th was received on 27th July. The comment "These are all evidence-based scientific standards established to ensure the protection of human health and the environment" needs to be challenged. The justification for the "One size fits all approach" to land based sewage treatment across Canada, recommended by the Council of Environment Ministers is based on a consultant scientific report that described a cost benefit for the fresh water environment where potentially human drinking water sources may be contaminated and the fresh water environment will be impacted. There did not appear to be any consideration of Marine water receiving environment and where in situations like Victoria, as has been emphasized by six public health officials and ten marine scientists that there is no measurable public health risk and a minimal impact on the marine environment.
Letter from Minister Stewart:
Dr. Shaun Peck
Public Health Consulting
809 Piermont Place
Victoria, BC V8S 5J7
Dear Dr. Peck:
Thank you for your email of April 28, 2010, addressed to Honourable Bill Bennett, former Minister of Community and Rural Development, regarding the Capital Regional District (CRD) Sewage Treatment Project. As the new Minister of Community and Rural Development, I am pleased to respond on behalf of Minister Bennett. I apologize for the delay in my response.
I would like to address your concerns about financing, legal requirements, and greenhouse gas emissions.
Regarding financing, I can assure you that staff at the Ministry of Community and Rural Development (Ministry) have been working closely with the CRD to reach the “best, lowest-cost solution” to sewage treatment in the region. Amendment 8 to the Liquid Waste Management Plan was approved by the CRD Board on June 23, 2010. This amendment, if approved by the Minister of Environment, will cost $185 million less in capital costs, and yearly operating costs will drop by $5.3 million. In addition to protecting human and environmental health, sewage treatment will provide the CRD with opportunities to recover energy and other resources from liquid waste while generating revenue.
With regard to legal requirements, the current CRD practice does not meet provincial regulatory requirements. It also does not meet current federal Fisheries Act requirements, nor will it meet new federal sewage treatment standards expected later this year. These are all evidence-based scientific standards established to ensure the protection of human health and the environment.
The decision to proceed with planning for treatment has been made and is supported by the Province of British Columbia, the Government of Canada and the actions of the CRD. Ministry staff are working closely with the Ministry of Environment and the CRD to proceed on this initiative.
It is true that the construction and operation of the sewage treatment facilities will emit greenhouse gases. However, the municipalities in the CRD (and the CRD itself) are looking to minimize and offset those emissions.
Ministry staff are working closely with the CRD toward an appropriate and affordable solution for sewage treatment in Greater Victoria that will include outcomes such as enhanced environmental protection, reduced climate impacts, and thoughtful innovations in areas such as resource recovery and conservation, where feasible. I can assure you that the Ministry’s due diligence process will review many of the aspects that you mentioned in your email.
Thank you, again, for writing to convey your concerns. I encourage you to continue providing input to the project as it evolves. The CRD’s website, at: www.WasteWaterMadeClear.ca/, provides additional information with respect to public consultation activities, and other matters that might be of interest to you.
Sincerely,
“Original Signed By”
Ben Stewart
Minister of Community and Rural Development