City of Powell River residents were provided with a first look at predesign work for the city’s future consolidated wastewater treatment facility at a committee of the whole meeting on November 14. Those in attendance also had an opportunity to raise concerns about the facility’s impact on the neighbourhood where it will be located.
In June, the city awarded Associated Engineering with the predesign and conveyancing contract for the potential facility.
Project manager Tom Robinson appeared before the committee to provide a project overview and answer some of the public’s questions.
City director of infrastructure Tor Birtig said the city is working with Associated Engineering to develop a decision-making matrix that will allow for each of three options being considered to be scored and weighted.
“What we would like to do is refine and review the three options, looking at what suits the City of Powell River best,” said Birtig.
The three models under consideration include a trickling filter/solids contact facility, a high-efficiency biological treatment facility and an extended aeration facility. Cost estimates were not included in the presentation.
Robinson said of the community concerns brought forward, smell is the biggest one; others include the impact the facility will have on existing trails in the area, as well as how it will look.
“Questions around new wastewater facilities invariably create a kind of anxiety around possible odours,” said Robinson. “Contrary to the way plants were designed 40 to 50 years ago, we have made significant improvements in technology in order to deal with odours.”
The consolidated facility that will treat the city’s wastewater will be built on a 10-acre parcel of land adjacent to the existing treatment plant in Townsite, a decision made more than two years ago that continues to be a source of frustration for some Townsite residents.
After the meeting, councillor Rob Southcott, who was at previous community meetings discussing the future of the Townsite waterfront lands, said council continues to be committed to listening to the community’s thoughts.
"I've been very pleased with community reaction at the meetings that have occurred,” said Southcott. "We're committed to engagement and that will continue."
City councillor Russell Brewer said the key concern is ensuring public access to trails that connect neighbourhoods is maintained, even if the actual trails themselves have to be rerouted.
“Trails evolve and change,” said Brewer. “We're not talking about maintaining something static in its existing location.”
Maple Avenue resident Diana Collicutt said she is concerned that existing trails are unprotected.
"There are some well-established trails on the site," she said.
Collicutt added that she would like to see the city hold a public meeting on the trails.
City chief administrative officer Mac Fraser said the city is holding off on officially designating trails until a later date because the larger parcel surrounding the 10 acres is currently for sale.
He added that the area is covered by the city’s development permit area eight, which speaks specifically to the consideration of trails when the area is developed.
After the meeting, Brewer said he appreciated the initial discussion, but is anticipating a more detailed look at the three proposed potential models for treating the city’s storm and sanitary sewage before he can make any decision.
“I’m looking forward to a more deliberate session,” he said. “The information was pretty broad and I would like to see some more mockups.”
Predesign means making all the key decisions related to the design, so the development of detailed designs can begin in January, said Robinson.
Brewer said council will look for a wide range of engagement on the decision, as well as weighing the cost of each option, including public information sessions.
