There is absolutely no requirement for a land-based sewage treatment plant on the South Island, but, if this proposed insanity must prevail and a billion dollars squandered for no purpose, I offer the following proposal.
We live in an earthquake zone. It is not logical to bury 45 kilometres of pipe underground to a dump that will reach its maximum capacity in 2035.
Instead, build the sludge collection facility at McLoughlin Point complete with a docking facility for two large barges. Build a treatment plant in the Albert Head area complete with a protected docking facility for one barge. The barges would act as holding tanks with the sludge pumped directly into the treatment plant.
The proposed system has numerous advantages.
By reversing the main trunk from the Western Communities at Parson’s Bridge to a treatment facility at Albert Head, the future cost of enlarging the trunk, as population growth in the Western Communities will require, is eliminated.
Properly maintained barges have the same life expectancy as large pipe. The risk of earthquake damage to the piping infrastructure to Hartland Road is eliminated. Maintenance and operating costs for the pumps required to pump uphill to the dump are eliminated. All the disruption and expense of the piping systems and the new McLoughlin Point outfall will be eliminated.
Consider this proposal, before more money is wasted on studies and lawyers fees.
D.A. Robinson
Esquimalt
