Lumby will determine if it can absorb septic waste from outlying areas.
A septic disposal operator has asked council to allow him to take waste from rural Lumby and Cherryville to the village’s sewer treatment facility.
“Can our lagoon handle that sludge? This has to go through the solid waste management plan for review,” said Coun. Lori Mindnich.
Not only does the village have to consider the costs for possibly expanding the facility to accept septic waste, there is a concern about the quality of the sludge and whether it would negatively impact operations.
The disposal operator has stated that taking material to Lumby would lead to lower costs for his customers instead of taking it to the Regional District of North Okanagan septic facility in Vernon.
However, Mindnich isn’t convinced RDNO will change its policies even if septic is diverted to Lumby.
“People currently pay the regional district about $46 a year (for the septic service) and they would have to pay us for disposal? Are they willing to double their fees?” she said.
