Shaping the future of our Sewer Service
SEWER PLANNING FLOWS AHEAD
In 2018, the CVRD started work on a Liquid Waste Management Plan for the Comox Valley Sewer System to ensure our system will continue to operate safely and grow with our community. This process is used by local governments in BC to develop strategies for managing sewer services. It includes the collection/review of existing information, development of options for future services, identification of a preferred option, completion of required studies and assessments and development of financial and implementation plans. The plan involves public consultation at all steps in the process and is ultimately submitted to the provincial government for review and consideration for approval. To see how input has been collected and used throughout this process, please click the Public Engagement drop-down menu below.
Thank you to everyone who participated in this process, including the many members of the general public who participated in workshops, open houses, online surveys, and online information sessions. In particular, thank you to the members of the public and technical advisory committee (TACPAC) for their ongoing commitment over the three-year process.
The project team has submitted the draft plan to the province for review and approval as the second phase of this three step process. The review will take approximately one year. Based on feedback from the province, the plan will be revised, shared with the community and then submitted back to the province for final approval, which is likely to occur in Spring 2024.
For more background on the LWMP - including the process and the outcome - visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/lwmp
Sewer Conveyance Project Next Steps
The LWMP identified a preferred conveyance route for new/upgraded sewer pipes and pump stations, which was approved by the Comox Valley Sewage Commission in February 2021. Borrowing was approved through an Alternative Approval Process in July 2021 and this critical work is now moving forward as a separate project due to its urgent nature.This new system will route sewer pipes further inland where they will no longer be vulnerable to damage by waves, rocks and logs. The construction of this new line will start in 2023 and will protect the beaches and waters throughout the Comox Estuary, Point Holmes, Goose Spit coastline, as well as Baynes Sound. Stay up to date by following the project page.
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Planning underway for Sewer Conveyance Project
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 regarding the final route, as well as the K’ómoks First Nation, to ensure protection of archaeologically sensitive areas during construction.
Follow along at the Comox Valley Sewer Conveyance Page for updates.
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Update on Sewer Conveyance Planning Shared with Lazo Residents
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 now posted here at ConnectCVRD - you can find it in the videos section in the right hand menu or by clicking here.
Any further questions? Share them here in the Questions tab or contact us at communications@comoxvalleyrd.ca.
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Tunneling and Groundwater Information Shared with Lazo Area Residents
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 here at ConnectCVRD - 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 this page –in the right-hand menu bar as well or click here.
Any further questions? Share them here in the Questions tab.
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Preferred Conveyance Route Selected for Comox Valley Sewer Service
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.
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Public Input Informs Preferred Route Selection
The Comox Valley Sewage Commission’s selection of a preferred conveyance route was based on input from staff, technical experts, public and technical advisors. The Commission also considered input gathered as part of the public consultation completed in fall 2020. A report summarizing that feedback is available now.
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Preferred options for treatment and resources recovery selected
The Sewage Commission has approved the preferred options for treatment and resource recovery for the Comox Valley Sewer Service’s Liquid Waste Management Plan. Directors have approved Option 2 for treatment, which would see the addition of Ultraviolet (UV) disinfection and secondary treatment for all flows. This was the recommended option by the PAC/TAC based on their technical review and consideration of public feedback. Click here to read the staff report. The sewage commission has also agreed that reclaimed water use should be considered as part of the master planning process for the sewage treatment plant.
- The preferred option for conveyance (pipes and pump stations) will be selected in coming months.
- The CVRD will report back to the public on the full suite of LWMP decisions once completed.
- Visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/lwmp for more information
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Sewer Service Planning: Public Consultation Postponed
The Comox Valley Sewage Commission has approved plans to reschedule public engagement on the future of the Comox Valley Sewer Service, as the community adjusts to a new normal amidst COVID-19 mitigation measures. Consultation will now take place in the fall, when it’s hoped the community can participate with more interest and capacity.
The revised schedule will include online and open house consultation through the month of September, with the goal of staff providing a recommended option, based on the public and technical experts’ feedback, to the sewage commission in November 2020.
Read the full Press Release here: Sewer Service Consultation Postponed.
Who's listening
Videos
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Watch a recording of our May 26 webinar which follows up on some of the issues residents have raised, including groundwater monitoring, leak detection, emergency response plans and experience in other communities.
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Watch a recording of our May 25 webinar which follows up on some of the issues residents have raised, including groundwater monitoring, leak detection, emergency response plans and experience in other communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
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March 4, 2021 Groundwater Webinar Questions: Follow up
- Impact on property value of this type of project is often very hard to anticipate and quantify. How will this be addressed?
- I heard Kris La Rose state active monitoring of the line is on going in other words, not finalize This is an item that should be completed before directional drilling is considered. Please detail what the plan for this monitoring is.
- Monitoring the quality and quantity? Do we expect the same monitoring that was undertaken at the bore site at the terminus of Morland Rd.? That took almost a month to remediate!!!
- Can and will a shutoff valve, of some form, be incorporated into the sewage conveyance system to present large quantities of sewage and chemicals from spreading into the Quadra Aquifer and allow repairs?
- In the event of a leak, a contaminated aquifer will affect wells outside of the so called swatch! What is your response? Have all those who rely on the aquifer been notified?
- ...Please provide the capital and annual operating cost for the proposed route for the route considering mind and my neighbour’s properties. To this end, state the savings going under our properties
- How will the preferential flow/redirection of groundwater, along the conveyance corridor be prevented?
- What is the process to acquire right of ways along the proposed route?
- Have you researched other communities in North America, and or beyond, that have utilized this same form of forcemain tunnel construction in a rural area ?
