Even though City of Powell River council has chosen an option for the liquid waste management plan, many outstanding details remain before phased consolidation turns into reality.
This option, cloaked in misleading jargon, is another name for joint treatment, a proposal to treat the city’s sewage in Catalyst Paper Corporation’s Powell River division. Under the phased consolidated option, a stand-alone treatment facility will be built by the city sometime in the future. But first, the city will send its sewage to Catalyst for treatment.
Before joint treatment can proceed, the city needs to develop a service agreement with Catalyst. This agreement will be key to protecting the city’s interests. Some of the issues that the city will have to negotiate with Catalyst include what will happen in the event the company shuts down its Powell River division. As well, what will happen if another company buys Catalyst or if Catalyst ceases to exist?
City council has passed a motion that lists a number of provisions that have to be completed before phased consolidation proceeds. Some of those provisions state the city’s desire for a 10-year agreement locked in at $500,000 per year. Council doesn’t yet know if Catalyst agrees with that provision. The agreement in principle which the city signed with Catalyst in 2010 outlines a 20-year agreement for treating the city’s sewage, with options to renew on a rolling five-year basis.
Additionally, the motion mentions using pump station A and C at the mill, if it is to the city’s benefit. But there is some indication Catalyst is not enamoured of that provision, so it too will be the topic of negotiations.
Much is still uncertain, including whether the city’s application to the provincial Innovations Fund will be successful. The motion addresses the significance of the grant application, as joint treatment will not go ahead without this 100-per-cent funding coming through.
Although council has decided on a course of action, together the agreement and funding lay the foundation for phased consolidation and without either one of them, the plan will not proceed.
