News
Construction of a state of the art wastewater treatment facility in Sechelt will begin immediately with the signing of an initial agreement between the District of Sechelt and Maple Reinders Inc. (MRI), representing a consortium including Urban Systems Ltd. and Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Canada (VWS Canada).
Located in downtown Sechelt on the site of the existing Ebbtide Wastewater Treatment Plant and Parks & Public Works site, the new facility will include a greenhouse that uses innovative organic processes to filter waste products as a key feature of the treatment process. The design ensures the facility will integrate well with the surrounding neighbourhood and the adjacent Sechelt Marsh park.
“This will be the largest infrastructure project in the District’s history. The facility will ensure wastewater treatment capacity for Sechelt for the next 20 years (with provision to add capacity incrementally for up to 50 years more!). The facility will meet the highest Provincial standards for water quality, energy efficiency and resource recovery. It will be the first of its kind in North America, giving Sechelt opportunities to demonstrate and market to others,” said Sechelt Mayor John R. Henderson.
The new facility will be noise and odour free and meet LEED Gold standard
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root system below level
The MRI design-build proposal will cost $21.3 million. It was selected from submissions received from five of the leading companies in the area of wastewater treatment in Canada. Each of the proposals was of very high quality and provided many innovative and creative ideas. The District extends their thanks to all the proponents for their dedication to and support for Sechelt.
Council authorized moving forward with the MRI consortium’s proposal based on a unanimous recommendation from the Project Steering Committee. This committee was established by Council and includes representatives of the Coast Community Builders Association, the Sechelt Indian Band, Sechelt Council and District staff. Project technical expertise was provided to the committee by our Owners Technical Consultant, Tetra Tech, and MHPM Project Managers Inc.
Sechelt and MRI signed a Limited Notice To Proceed agreement last week enabling the consortium to complete design and site work while the construction contract is being finalized. Signing of the final contract is expected by early March, 2013.
In addition to the highest treatment standards, the facility will have operating costs that are dramatically lower than our existing facilities – especially in respect of energy costs. Also, construction is anticipated to create upwards of $10 million of opportunities for Sunshine Coast-based businesses, construction companies and individuals.
Sechelt has received grants for this project totaling $8 million from the Federal Gas Tax Fund and $3.2 million from the Building Canada Fund. The remainder of the project funding will come from various sources including the Sechelt Indian Band (who has long been the District’s partner in operating the wastewater treatment facilities) as well as possible additional grants and District of Sechelt financial resources. Sechelt Council is currently assessing District funding options, including the possibility of borrowing against future sewer taxation revenues and allocations from general surpluses.
The new wastewater treatment facility will be commissioned in September, 2014.