The City of Castlegar is expected to keep using a rotary press at its south sewage treatment plant until it can come up with a long-term solution to problems at the facility.
City council was told this week that although the city’s lease on the equipment runs out in November, they have the option to extend it as long as necessary.
“We’re still working with that equipment to keep that process moving forward,” engineering manager Ryan Niddery said. “Nonetheless, we are still engaged with [a consultant] working on a long-term solution for that site.”
Councillor Cherryl MacLeod said she was pleased to hear that news and expected Woodland Park residents, who have put up with foul odours for years, would be happy too.
“People that live in the neighbourhood have said that whatever we’re doing currently, they’ve actually gotten to enjoy some time out on their decks and to do some gardening,” she said.
The city brought in the mobile rotary press in March to dry out its biosolids, following an expensive and failed attempt at using geotube technology. The resulting sludge is hauled to the landfill twice a week, unlike the geotube system that remained on site for months before being cut open for removal.
MacLeod also said the city’s communication with residents has greatly improved: “I think we’re doing a much better job of that than when that whole debacle started.”
The city hopes to receive a design by the end of the year for whatever the permanent treatment solution turns out to be and have it built early in 2027. It would remain in place until the sewage plant is decommissioned as part of the city’s even longer-term plans.
Niddery said the provincial government has provided feedback on the city’s liquid waste management plan, including its first stage report, a draft stage two work plan, and terms of reference for an environmental impact study.
“Overall feedback was good,” he said. “It was constructive. It was supportive. It’s an exciting milestone.”
Niddery said the project team plans to meet with Ministry of Environment staff as they proceed into the second phase, which will also include evaluating treatment technology options and consultation with the public and Regional District of Central Kootenay. That’s expected to 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 and city council. That would also take a year to a year and a half.
Council was previously told that depending on the community’s ability to pay for the project, it could take five to 15 years for design and construction of a new system, although things could move more quickly if the city receives grants. It’s expected the fixes would cost between $76 million and $82 million.
