Fixing the City of Castlegar’s sewage system could cost up to $82 million and take five to 15 years, city council has been told. The first stage report of the city’s new liquid waste management plan also recommends the city’s north and south sewage plants be consolidated on the north site.
A consultant, Urban Systems, worked with local advisory and steering committees to determine the best place for a long-term wastewater treatment plant.
The company’s Alex Kempa said the existing south sewage treatment plant serves 58 per cent of the population, but is the source of complaints about odors, its treatment equipment is in poor condition, and it’s operating at capacity.
The north plant serves the other 42 per cent of the city, and faces compromised treatment capacity plus equipment and operational challenges. Both plants have struggled in recent years to meet federal and provincial requirements.
While the status quo of running two plants would come with the lowest capital costs, it would be the most complex to operate, Kempa said. Consolidating at the north site would come with high capital costs, but reduced operating costs and complexities. Consolidating at the south would have the highest upfront costs and face site constraints.
In trying to identify a preferred spot, open houses were hosted in February that had 36 participants, and a survey was issued that received 150 responses.
Kempa said the overall messages received were that people want to protect the Columbia River, they recognize the city’s sewage infrastructure needs renewal, and they want reducing odors to be a priority. While there were mixed views on trying to keep costs to a minimum, there was a preference for consolidating at the north treatment plant.
Feedback received prompted them to look at three other sites, Kempa added: the Mercer Celgar pulp mill, which was ruled out when then company said it wouldn’t be feasible; a former government gravel pit near the airport, which was ruled out due to concerns around proximity to Ootischenia residents; and the city’s public works facility in the industrial park at the south end of town, which was nixed because of challenges presented by relocating the existing operation.
Kempa said after considering social, financial, and environmental factors, the north sewage treatment plant became the only viable location for the long-term site.
The plan will now be sent to the Ministry of Environment for review. Council was told it would probably take four to six months to hear back, although there is no guarantee that the plan will be approved.
If the provincial government does give the green light, the plan will proceed to its second phase, which will include an environmental impact study, evaluation of treatment technology options, and further consultation with the public and Regional District of Central Kootenay. That could take a year to a year and a half.
The third stage would outline an implementation plan and include approval of the liquid waste plan by the Ministry of Environment and city council. That would also be expected to take a year to a year and a half.
Council was told that depending on the community’s ability to pay for the project, it could take five to 15 years for design and construction, although things could move more quickly if the city receives grants.
Based on treatment plant upgrades in similar size communities, the report estimates the fixes would cost between $76 million and $82 million.
“We really don’t have an option for this,” city manager Chris Barlow said. “This is a generational investment we’re making, and this isn’t just guided by a staff idea or two. The whole community’s getting us to this decision.”
Council was told a referendum wouldn’t be required to approve the borrowing involved, provided the liquid waste plan is approved.
While a new sewage plant is a long ways off, the city says it is looking into short to medium-term fixes to deal with ongoing issues at the existing south treatment plant.
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