Victoria, BC– The Capital Regional District (CRD) is seeking public feedback on its proposed amendment to the Core Area Liquid Waste Management Plan. The amendment aims to reduce inflow and infiltration and builds on work already underway focused on reducing and eliminating combined stormwater and wastewater overflows during storm events.
Inflow and Infiltration occurs when stormwater and groundwater enter sanitary sewer systems, usually due to improperly cross-connected stormwater collection pipes, or the age of sewer systems which deteriorate and allow groundwater intrusion into the sewer over time. It becomes a problem in sewer systems by exceeding the capacity of the system causing the excess flow of mixed stormwater and wastewater overflows to the marine environment at various emergency discharge points.
The amendment to Section 5 of the Plan outlines the actions that will be taken by the CRD to reduce overflows that happen during storms which are expected to occur more than once every five years. It highlights commitments to further study the impacts of storm event overflows from the Clover Point Long outfall, including climate change impacts, environmental and social impacts, budget estimates to eliminate sub-five-year overflows and impact on taxpayers. The proposed approach is intended to be a practical solution that meets regulatory requirements while ensuring long-term environmental protection.
The amendment also outlines commitments by participating municipalities to continue separating stormwater systems from sewer systems and to consider using bylaws to require replacement of laterals that have exceeded their service life on private property.
The Core Area Liquid Waste Management Plan was created for the cities of Victoria, Langford and Colwood, the districts of Oak Bay and Saanich, the Township of Esquimalt, and the Town of View Royal. Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations are also customers of the Core Area Liquid Waste Service. The current Plan was originally approved by the Minister of Environment in 2003 and was last updated with Amendment 12 in 2018.
Feedback will be received from October 15 to November 10, 2024 then will be incorporated into a final amendment package to the CRD Board for submission to the provincial regulator.
Learn more and provide feedback at https://getinvolved.crd.bc.ca/lwmp.
Learn more about Inflow and Infiltration at www.crd.bc.ca/pipes.
The CRD delivers regional, sub-regional and local services to 13 municipalities and three electoral areas on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. Governed by a 24-member Board of Directors, the CRD works collaboratively with First Nations and government partners to enable sustainable growth, foster community well-being, and develop cost-effective infrastructure while continuing to provide core services to residents throughout the region. Visit us online at www.crd.bc.ca.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Sudha Krishna, Social Marketing Manager
CRD Corporate Communications
Tel: 250.360.5679
Cell: 236.638.2866