Now’s the time for the public to weigh in on cost, construction impacts and environmental protection for the future of the Comox Valley Sewer Service, which treats wastewater, or raw sewage, from homes and businesses in Courtenay, Comox and K’ómoks First Nation (KFN).
The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is seeking the community’s input on a shortlist of options for upgrading the service’s conveyance system, including the pipes and pump stations that move wastewater to the sewage treatment plant. New conveyance options are being considered to relocate a vulnerable section of sewer pipe that runs along Balmoral Beach, below the Willemar Bluffs.
“We know sewer planning isn’t top of mind for most people, but it is, in fact, one of the most important services we provide for the community,” said David Frisch, chair of the Sewage Commission. “Among other goals, our current planning process puts concrete options forward to deal with the urgent and unacceptable environmental risk of having a sewer pipe that moves raw sewage along an exposed section of Balmoral Beach.”
The location of the pipe makes it vulnerable to waves, rocks and logs and a break in the pipe would release raw sewage into Comox Bay and Baynes Sound. A scenario that could have devastating impacts for the natural environment, the shellfish industry and the health of residents.
To collect feedback on the three shortlisted options under consideration, an online survey has been posted at www.connectcvrd.ca/lwmp
Interested residents are also invited to drop in at an open house to learn about the costs, benefits and risks of the three options – and to share their input.
Open Houses:
Monday, April 6, 5-7 p.m., Comox Golf Course, 1718 Balmoral Ave., Comox
Thursday, April 9, 5-7 p.m., Civic Room, CVRD Offices, 770 Harmston Ave., Courtenay
“A technical and public advisory committee will consider community input from this consultation and then recommend a preferred conveyance option for the Sewage Commission to consider,” said Kris La Rose, Senior Manager, Water and Wastewater Services. “The final conveyance option will be included in the Liquid Waste Management Plan, which provides a roadmap for this sewer service for the coming decades.”
For more information, visit the project webpage at www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/lwmp
