I have minimal knowledge about sewage systems and the attendant costs.
But I have to ask why, when a dozen or so scientists from the U.S. and Canada have stated that the Clover and Macaulay point sewage outfalls are working just fine and are the most sensible solution to the sewage disposal problem, do we continue to ignore their advice?
What’s the point of having scientists if we don’t listen to them?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has allowed more than 100 cities larger than ours to use the method we are now using. We are being forced into this by the federal and provincial governments and some political pressure from Washington State.
None of these entities seem to want to listen to their scientists. They want us to build a billion-dollar system that experts say will be outmoded in 15 to 20 years. What then? If the federal and provincial governments insist on going against scientific expertise, then let them pay for it and not increase my taxes, even though I am on a septic system.
What are they going to do if Victoria just says no? This has been one of the most botched-up exercises I have ever witnessed. The CRD spent money on consulting fees, hiring a CEO, buying a building they can’t use for $17 million and property from DND they can’t use, plus a huge amount of civil servants’ time and costs. Nothing but waste.
The big problem is the storm drain outfalls around the coast, which is not being addressed. Complete a cost-benefit analysis of the present system vs. the proposed systems. Consider environmental impact, CO2, disruption of neighbourhoods and whatever other issues crop up. Present it to the public and let citizens decide how we want to spend our money.
Maybe hospitals, schools, subsidized housing, outfalls and a few other things make more sense. Let the March 31 deadline pass. Tell the feds and province we will let the citizens decide what they want to spend their hard-earned money on and don’t force us to do something that makes no sense.
Bill Day
Langford
