Comox Valley Sewer Conveyance Project

Dear project followers:

We had originally planned to meet with Lazo area residents this fall to present a confirmed route for the new sewer pipe through Lazo Hill. However, this analysis has taken longer than anticipated as we address current market conditions and the concerns that we’ve heard from residents.

Staff and consultants are continuing to study options within the swath of land identified on this map that was shared with the community in February 2021. As we begin to narrow down the alignment, the CVRD will begin making contact through its land agent with potentially impacted homeowners to start conversations about right of way.

We anticipate having the tunnelled route finalized and ready to present to the community in January 2022. At that time we will also share a groundwater protection policy that will commit the CVRD to specific measures to help ensure that neither the construction nor operation of the sewer pipe will impact the quality or quantity of groundwater in the area.

We will be following up next month with a letter to area residents and impacted property owners with an invitation to attend an open house in the New Year. If you have not done so already, please be sure to sign up for the latest project updates.

Thank you for your continued interest in this project.

Sincerely,

Russell Dyson,
Chief Administrative Officer
Comox Valley Regional District

With a conceptual pipe route approved by the Sewage Commission in February 2021 and borrowing approved in July – the project team is working now on the final route and project scope, to be ready this fall/winter.

Read the press release about the successful Alternate Approval Process here.

The CVRD remains focused on minimizing costs and impacts on residents and businesses and discussions are underway with the Town of Comox Discussions are underway with the Town of Comox regarding the final route through the Town and mitigating community impacts. The CVRD is also working with the K’ómoks First Nation to protect archaeologically sensitive areas during construction in an effort to preserve cultural heritage sites, ancestral burial places and artifacts.

Watch this page for updates on time and details of our next public engagement events in fall/winter 2021-22.

Two online sessions were offered in May 2021, to inform local residents about ongoing sewer planning and to address questions about the tunneling feature of the selected pipe route. This update was the third in a series of sessions hosted specifically for Lazo Area residents and build on an 18-month Liquid Waste Management Plan process that included multiple stages of public engagement. This included Area B representation on a public advisory committee (PAC) which reviewed, discussed and provided recommendations at each stage of the planning process.

Video of the session is posted at the ConnectCVRD LWMP page.

Any further questions? Share them here in the Questions tab or contact us at communications@comoxvalleyrd.ca.

On March 4, the CVRD hosted a webinar for residents within the proposed tunneling area in Area B (Lazo area). The online session provided additional information about the groundwater monitoring and assessment work that has been completed to date, and the further planning that will be done before construction starts on the new sewer conveyance route, selected by the Sewage Commission in February. The project team responded to a number of questions from residents about potential impacts to their property, protection measures that are being planned, and other planning details.

The information is now posted for anyone who was unable to attend:

• Video of the session is now posted the at ConnectCVRD LWMP Page - you can find it in the videos section in the righthand menu or by clicking here.
• While many questions were addressed during the 1.5 hour session, there were a few that required follow up. Those questions, along with the responses, are now posted in the FAQ section of the LWMP Connect CVRD page –in the right-hand menu bar as well or click here.

Any further questions? Share them here in the Questions tab.

On February 23, 2021, the Comox Valley Sewage Commission approved a plan to upgrade the pipes and pump stations that move wastewater from Courtenay, Comox and the K’ómoks First Nation to the sewage treatment plant.

Key features of the selected option are:

• A mix of tunneled sections (under Comox Ave. and Lazo hills) with traditional ‘cut-and-cover’ trenched installation. The tunneling will reduce the construction impact and operational pressure on the system.
• Work to be undertaken as one phase, rather than separated into two phases divided by up to 15-20 years, to reduce risk posed by the estuary’s foreshore forcemain.

The option is anticipated to cost $73 million, paid for by $21 million in reserves, and $52 million in long-term borrowing. The cost per household is estimated at $150/per year for 30 years. Read the press release here.