Our current marine-based sewage treatment in Victoria, consisting of two long screened outfalls and source controls is indeed, very adequate, considering the type of sewage and the unique receiving environment. Where marine-based treatment is not adequate, such as in the nearby towns of Sidney and Sooke, we would agree that land-based sewage treatment is appropriate.

Many Victorians who share the opinion that additional land-based sewage treatment in our region will not increase the “cleanliness” of our nearby Juan de Fuca Strait, base their perspective on the evidence from the regional government (CRD) researchers, who consistently note that our marine effluent meets their standards. Additionally, the solid-waste leachate that is emitted through our long, screened outfalls also meets standards.

There is hardly one single perspective against this additional land-based sewage treatment – some are most opposed to the environmental impacts of additional land-based sewage treatment (MUCH more sewage sludge and greenhouse gases produced), while others are incensed at the extreme cost of this unnecessary land-based sewage treatment – a billion dollars to build and millions annually to operate. Others take the view that with the same amount of funding, so much more important environmental programs could be done, such as cleaning up storm drains. There are MANY problematic storm drain outlets in Victoria, and their contamination is dumped right near the beaches and shore environment. Additional sewage treatment will do NOTHING for that issue!

For more information on the unnecessary sewage treatment plant:
aresst.ca
rstv.ca
victoriasewagetreatment.ca/ccost/
sites.google.com/site/sewageplantsvictoria/