Proposed development and expansion will put a strain on the district’s sanitary system which, according to staff, is already nearing capacity.
At the district’s last committee of the whole meeting, community planner Mike Marrs told council that he’d been in communication with Splatsin administration, who are moving forward with development across the channel and have expressed interest in connecting with the district’s water system and sanitary services.
“They’re not in a particular rush, but we’ve been trying to get in touch with them in order for us to anticipate what may be required and insuring that our new sanitary sewer system going in over there is adequate for the purpose, as well as any work on our water system,” said Marrs.
In addition, Marrs said he and staff have been in ongoing communication with Hyde Mountain Golf Course, and they are also interested in the potential of connecting to the district’s water and sewer systems.
The two requests, Marrs continued, has staff thinking about long-term planning and servicing requirements.
“We all know that the sanitary service system and the plant is nearing its capacity, and certainly something of this nature, and further new developments – we also have Wiseman Creek coming on stream at some point and my negotiations and discussions with Old Town Bay, all of that will be coming forward, so it is an issue.”
“I know you call it an issue but it’s awesome to hear that we’re growing and developing,” commented Mayor Darrell Trouton.
District operations manager Randy Hand said True Consulting is looking at the sanitary system’s current capacity, noting data indicates it will be reached in a couple of years
“We are nearing capacity now as more and more people get connected, and our bylaws state they have to get connected after a certain time period,” said Hand.
Coun. Fred Busch provided a brief overview of district’s historical involvement with Hyde Mountain regarding potential residential development there. He noted development was restricted by the province for access concerns related to the Old Spallumcheen Road/Trans-Canada Highway intersection on the west side of the Bruhn Bridge. To this, Marrs recollected development, up to about 125 units, could occur at Hyde without addressing the bridge/intersection matter. He said this was based on the provision of an onsite sanitary system, which is very expensive.
“So I can see and understand why they want to connect to ours. So there is potential there,” said Marrs, noting lines would have to cross First Nations land. Marrs said this could be done as, according to the province, the district would have rights to a “wagon trail… the width of two wagon wheels” through the reserve land.
“That in itself would have to be part of negotiations to obtain… a right of way through reserve lands,” Marrs commented.”
