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Petition Drive Begins Concerning Sechelt Wastewater Treatment Plans

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Written by Beverly Saunders Beverly Saunders
Category: News News
Published: 01 April 2013 01 April 2013

A petition drive has begun to hold Sechelt Council accountable for their recent announcement of plans for a new $22.4 million wastewater treatment plant. Organizers of the Sechelt Sewage Coalition have posted a petition on the website ipetitions.com. The petition was posted on March 19 and has been circulating online. 

This is one of several organizations that are questioning the decision by Sechelt Council to build a new wastewater treatment facility at the Ebbtide location. Sunshine Coast Senior Citizens (COSCO) have already expressed their concerns with the contract in a recent letter to Sechelt Mayor Henderson and Council. COSCO Letter. There was also a protest on March 13 outside council chambers organized by Jef Keighley and the Coalition for Responsible Public Participation in Sechelt’s Wastewater Plan. Around 100 attended that protest.

THE PETITION
 
To: The Council of the District of Sechelt, BC
5797 Cowrie Street, Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0
 
Whereas: The residents of Sechelt have concerns about the proposed sewage treatment facility.
I/We the undersigned, petition the Council of the District of Sechelt, BC as follows:
 
Without prejudice, request the Mayor and council halt activity on the construction of the proposed sewage treatment facility until the tax paying residents of Sechelt, BC are satisfied that 
 

1. We have the capacity to pay for the capital investment and the ongoing operating costs

2. We have assurance that the scientific data used for the new proposal has been made using accurate data. 

3. That the new design will accommodate current and future needs for sewage treatment. 

Bob Evermon one of the Coalition participants has a lot of questions for the Sechelt Council,

  • "There are simply too many unanswered questions about Sechelt's proposed new wastewater facility. There are too many secrets about the cost of pumping sewage around.
  • What geotechnical reports exist and what companies did them on Ebbtide compared to the Lot L site?
  •  The Mayor did say it will have a larger capacity than the current plant, and that it will be "easily" upgraded if necessary, or will it be the same size as what we have now?
  • There are legitimate doubts about the veracity of the flow rate statistics used in the bid process.  Will we have wasted $25 million if it turns out that the smaller Ebbtide can't handle future expansion needs?" 
  •  Why did no one like Ken Tang or anyone form Sechelt go to Europe to see the so called greenhouse Veolia plants in action and ask the right questions to the right people?
  • Why are we the first in North America to employ this technology?
  • Why have all the other educated city waste water committees in Canada & the United States in the past eleven years not picked the Veolia Greenhouse and we are?  
  • Why did Winnipeg in 2011 stop Veolia from running their waste water plant?
  • Why did sewage expert Engineer Ken Tang with the last mayor and council pick Lower Lot L near Dusty Rd for our new plant with growing room? " 
 
Everson also has concerns about the Ebbtide location, he says, "This swampy, small, mostly below sea level, densely populated neighborhood sewage plant is in the centre of Sechelt that has ruined the inhabitants enjoyment of life and their homes for years. This is wrong! It is not transparent and above board!  This is not how Sechelt Council should operate!"
 
While a Limited Notice to Proceed agreement between the District of Sechelt and Maple Reinders, Inc.  for a 
fixed amount and a fixed period has been signed by both parties, a final contract has not yet been signed. Maple Reinders, Inc. will be working with Urban Systems and Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies Canada.