North Cowichan looks for answers to substandard septic tanks – Cowichan Valley Citizen

North Cowichan would like information from Island Health on the best ways to deal with old and rundown sewage treatment plants in the community.

At the council meeting on August 18th, Count. Christopher Justice pointed out that there are a number of areas in North Cowichan where sewage treatment plants do not function properly and can introduce excessive nutrients and bacteria into the environment, adding to nutrient pollution of local waters and sometimes making them unsafe for recreational activities.

He said sewage is not an option in some areas of the community, such as Maple Bay, where business opportunities are limited and environmental impacts are exacerbated by poor quality treatment plants and / or site conditions that preclude upgrading to current standards.

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Justice said a proposal for a commercial center in Maple Bay was tabled as part of the ongoing review of the official community plan, but most of that area has no connections to North Cowichan’s sewer systems and to shops and homes in general rely on its use of septic tanks.

“I know that there was at least one company in Maple Bay that relied on pumping out its septic tank to keep business going, but the cost of doing so eventually brought that business to its knees,” Justice said.

“It occurred to me that it might be an option for us to provide some alternatives to potentially support businesses in places like Maple Bay.”

Justice said the cost of pumping out septic tanks is high as the sewage and sludge must be directed to the regional district of the capital for disposal, and suggested that the cost of emptying septic tanks may be a major factor in the Preventing business owners and homeowners from regularly emptying their septic tanks tanks.

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The judiciary was considering filing a motion to staff to look into ways to reduce the environmental impact of substandard and non-functioning sewage treatment plants, both to reduce the amount of wastewater seeping into local waters and beaches and to improve the viability of businesses to improve the settlement and operations in places like Maple Bay.

He said options could be to look for ways to reduce the cost of pumping out septic tanks by disposing of the sewage in North Cowichan’s own sewage treatment systems, or to provide a service or service in certain sensitive areas through environmental budgets and / or subsidize grants.

However, CAO Ted Swabey indicated that the issue is a responsibility of Island Health and it may be advisable to contact health officials to see if they would like to work with North Cowichan to report on it Interested in topic or would provide a report to other input.

The judiciary agreed to postpone his motion until Island Heath responds to the community’s letter that the council decided to send to the health authority.

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Infrastructure