Nanaimo Regional District Area H (Deep Bay, Bowser and Qualicum Bay) director Stuart McLean made a promise during his election campaign — to try to get the RDN to consider looking at a land-based disposal for the Bowser Village Centre Wastewater project.
McLean made a motion at the RDN board meeting on Dec. 4, to direct staff to bring back a report to the Jan. 8 committee of the whole meeting, regarding the options and implications of further investigations into land disposal for the sewage project.
The motion was unanimously supported by the board and McLean said it gives Area H residents a glimmer of hope as they have been protesting the option to use the ocean to dispose of treated wastewater. He believes a solution can be found.
“It’s not unreasonable at all,” said McLean. “There’s a lot technology out there and alternate methods that have not been fully explored. I am just asking at this point to see what the options are, what it will take and bring them back to the board. I hope I can convince them that this is the right thing to do.”
McLean said he is pleased the board unanimously endorsed the motion.
“I did work on that a bit to drum up support,” said McLean. “I made them all see that this is a very important issue in my community. I fairly new to this but I am working hard and that’s all I can do.”
The wastewater project will cost $10.7 million and will serve 99 parcels in the Bowser Village Centre. It includes construction of a sewer collection system, wastewater treatment plant and marine outfall for treated effluent. The plan is for the treated effluent to be discharged approximately 2.3 kilometres offshore, approximately 65 metres deep.
The project is currently in the detailed design and permitting stage.