The Capital Regional District has agreed in principle to allow Colwood to build its own sewage treatment facility.
The application was passed at the CRD boards Wednesday, March 12 meeting following a unanimous recommendation from the core area waste management committee. The CRD board agreed to let Colwood build its own sewage treatment plant, removing the city from the regional facility.
Colwood Coun. Judith Cullington said committee members felt comfortable with the in-principle agreement, which will allow the city to move forward in developing a plan to construct a local wastewater treatment plant, provided the plan meets regional and provincial criteria.
"There's a number of important subject to's in there … (which) gave people comfort that they could do this at no risk and potential great win to taxpayers throughout the region," Cullington said. "That's part of the work we have to do."
The plan will have to be approved by the ministry of environment before it can be carried out.
The projected plant will treat Colwood's sewage and potentially produce usable non-potable water, as well as energy. Early plans have the plant being built down the hill from the park and ride at West Shore Parks and Recreation.
"This is a really big first step because it says we can move forward with all of our studies and all of those investigations," Cullington said. "They said to us 'Prove it,' which I think is an entirely reasonable thing to do."
Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton said earlier in the week if the plan is approved, Colwood city staff will be proceeding with planning the next steps, which will include engagement with the public.