Could it possibly be that the search for a new wastewater treatment system is finally nearing its end? Eight years have passed since the provincial government directed the Capital Regional District to abandon ocean discharge and find a new approach.
In 2010, McLoughlin Point was chosen by the CRD as the preferred location. But the scheme eventually collapsed when Esquimalt鈥檚 municipal council wouldn鈥檛 make the necessary zoning changes, and the province refused to intervene.
By that point, $60 million had been spent, with no solution in hand and no obvious way forward. If Esquimalt, understandably, didn鈥檛 want the entire region鈥檚 wastewater disposed of on its land, who would?
A shaky-looking compromise emerged. Colwood, Esquimalt, Langford and View Royal, along with the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations, banded together to pursue a solution for the west side of the region. Oak Bay, Saanich and Victoria formed an eastside working group.
This raised the concern that more than one, and perhaps several, plants might have to be constructed 鈥� potentially a financial and engineering challenge. But as the two groups review their options, the possibility of a single-site solution still exists.
The westside team is due to forward its recommendations to the CRD on Nov. 4, followed by public consultations. None of the locations under consideration can serve the region as a whole, for reasons of geography, in part.
However, the team remains open to a single-site option, if one can be found elsewhere. And possibly it can.
The eastside group still has several public-consultation sessions to go through. One of the options they have already forwarded to the CRD is a site at Rock Bay in the Inner Harbour.
And that location could accommodate all of the region鈥檚 needs. A final report will be sent in mid-January to the CRD, which will make the ultimate decision.
The Rock Bay location is by no means a done deal. Public input is still being sought. And there are huge costing and engineering issues to resolve, regardless of what choice is eventually made.
Some experts believe a multi-site option is preferable, because it could build upon existing infrastructure. Others stress the need for water preservation if dry summers like this last one lie ahead. There are competing views about which technology is best, regardless of the site chosen.
However, by far the largest challenge is political. A huge weight rests on Esquimalt鈥檚 Mayor Barb Desjardins and her counterpart at Colwood, Carol Hamilton, who are leading the westside group, and on Victoria鈥檚 Mayor Lisa Helps, who chairs the eastside group.
It will be a minor miracle if they can present plans that enjoy support throughout the region. There are almost certain to be dissenters, whether over location, technology or cost.
It seems unlikely the current budget, set at $788 million, will suffice, given the long delays and the history of price-overruns on government construction projects. To which the only answer is: The longer we put this off, the more expensive it will get.
The next 90 days are critical. That鈥檚 how long Desjardins, Hamilton and Helps have to finish up before the CRD makes its final choice.
And let鈥檚 not tie all of this around their necks. Each of the mayors in affected municipalities has a role to play 鈥� we cannot afford a narrowing of visions for the sake of local popularity.
The province is also an important player. And so are we, the residents of this region. Consultation meetings are scheduled over the next few weeks.
This is our last chance to be heard before a decision is made that will stay with us for the next 50 years.
