When the most senior organizations of the most knowledgeable nations, namely a committee of Congress and a Royal Commission, both state that long outfalls protect the environment as well or better than secondary treatment, it is appalling that Capital Regional District members still do not acknowledge the fact.
The best overall summary comes from a 1986 article in the Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, entitled ‘Environmental considerations for ocean outfalls and land-based treatment plants.’
In its conclusion, the report stated, “Provided they are well designed, ocean outfalls generally present fewer environmental problems than land-based treatment and this is obvious when the complete environmental picture is studied for both types of facility.”
So it is.
Ted Dew-Jones
Victoria
