A column in the daily paper written by Dr. Shaun Peck is a good explanation on the contaminants distributed to our water ways through our storm drains.
He stated that a lot of the contaminants that are presently being distributed into storm drains will continue to be distributed into our waterways after the new regional sewage treatment system is completed.
Dr. Peck explains that the contaminants in the storm drains could lead to more serious problems in the future.
If he is correct, maybe Capital Regional District directors, marine scientists, and public health officials should be asking the federal and provincial governments to take the lead and make sure the CRD is given the time needed to make sure that we will be left with a quality system that will address all of the government’s regulations.
We should not be left with a third-rate system with costs that will continue to escalate.
The way the CRD is proceeding with this project at this time, leaves me wondering if we will already be on the hook for a lot more than the estimated $783 million. The federal, provincial and municipal governments are only going to split the costs of this project up to a maximum of $783 million and then municipalities are left to pay the rest.
At this point in time there are so many items that have not been addressed. There isn’t any solution on what the CRD is going to do with the sludge. If the population continues to grow on the West Shore and another treatment plant is required, we will have to pay the total bill.
How many other situations will have to be addressed in the future and how much are we going to be expected to dip into our wallets? Now is the time we need to ask all of the politicians involved in this project – when will sanity prevail?
The time to make sure that all of the requirements by the federal government as well as the estimated costs, should be available now.
The politicians should be honest with us and we should not have to wait until our taxes are so high that no one will be able to afford to live in one of the most gorgeous areas of the world.
John Skinner
Colwood