James Bay connection to proposed sewage treatment plant

By Josie Bannerman

James Bay will get more than a great view of the proposed sewage treatment plant at McLoughlin Point. "The plan calls for piping sewage from Clover Point along the Dallas waterfront to Shoal Point, then across the harbour to McLoughlin Point," said John Newcomb, Vice Chairman of the Association for Responsible and Environmentally Sustainable Sewage Treatment (ARESST). "People who live in James Bay need to be concerned," he said.

Jack Hull, General Manager of Integrated Water Services at the Capital Regional District (CRD) confirmed that land-based pipes will carry sewage from Clover Point through James Bay. "Pipes will likely be buried under roads," he said. "The exact routing has not yet been determined." Hull said that conveying sewage from James Bay to McLoughlin Point will probably involve directional or non-vertical drilling under the harbour, rather than tunneling.

ARESST will announce Town Hall meetings in September for public input, and the CRD will provide opportunities for feedback in due course.