- CRD ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETS 25 JANUARY (sewage topics focus)
- SEWAGE-RELATED EXCERPT FROM ESQUIMALT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION MEETING
- LETTER: SECONDARY SEWAGE TREATMENT COULD BE A COMMUNITY PROJECT
- CRD BOARD INAUGURAL ADDRESS, 11 JAN, 2012
- GUERNSEY UPDATE (4)
- TALK 24 JAN: "AN OVERVIEW & UPDATE ON HAZARDOUS WASTE REGULATION"
------------------------------
CRD ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE MEETS 25 JANUARY (sewage topics focus)
AGENDA SUMMARY WITH REPORT LINKS:
ESC meets January 25, 2012 at 9:30 am, CRD Board Room, 6 floor, 625 Fisgard St.
5. #ERM 12-04 2012 Environmental Resource Management Priority Issues
6. #ERM 12-03 Solid Waste Management Plan – Committee Requirements
7. #EEP 12-06 Progress on Harbours Service Review
8. #EEP 12-05 Macaulay and Clover Points Wastewater and Marine Environment Program – 2010 Annual Report
9. #EEE 12-09 2011 Performance Audit of the Core Area Liquid Waste Management Plan
10. An Approach to Dealing with Waste Issues in the CRD – Vic Derman (October 2011)
11. Roundtable on the Environment Liaison Appointment
12. Report from Solid Waste Advisory Committee
--------------------------------------------
ARESST: Thanks to ARESST Board member and ERA member Karen James for excerpt note below.
SEWAGE-RELATED EXCERPT FROM ESQUIMALT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION MEETING
Esquimalt Residents Association (ERA)
DIRECTOR’S MEETING SUMMARY
Tuesday Jan. 17th, 2012.
Premises of Esquimalt Chamber of Commerce
#103 – 1249 Esquimalt Road
5.0 Sewage Treatment Update
Karen compiling factual ppt slides for the 90 second “YouTube promo” with much input from UVic scientists and ARESST directors/members. Continuing to “collect” community leaders to brainstorm next steps to effect policy change away from land-based treatment. Idea for lunch session in downtown Victoria during Q1 2012.
Stantec engineering consultants found the proposed plan for resource recovery is uneconomic. CRD is now investigating the specific opportunity to intercept wastewater(54oF) to recover heat prior to treatment. ARESST engineers advise of resulting negative impact of such cooled wastewater on a land-based system i.e. heat must be re-supplied ($$ & GHG) for essential biological digestion to proceed in tankage!!! On the otherhand, ARESST engineers suggest a cooled waste stream would have NO significant negative impact to our existing marine-based treatment system because of the large volume of relatively warm, fully-oxygenated seawater with thriving biota at the outfalls. Therefore, feasibility for heat recovery best supported when integrated into our existing marine-based treatment process.
Action:
Karen: Keep ERA Directors updated.
All: Keep the issue alive in your personal networks, people may learn more from ARESST and RSTV websites! Please forward the names of any “keeners” to Karen.
Nick Brame: Inquire at UVic whether any marine science students interested in engaging with wastewater education.
------------------------------
ARESST: Unsuccessful Victoria Council candidate Sean Murray's comments on the GSA sewage survey reflect an appalling lack of information about the sewage issue: "I see this as an investment, some tourists boycott Victoria because of our sewage policy, furthermore solid sewage can be used to fertilize trees and possibly converted to gas which could power our city. The project would also create jobs."
LETTER: SECONDARY SEWAGE TREATMENT COULD BE A COMMUNITY PROJECT
Victoria News
January 17, 2012
As a candidate for council I stood for secondary sewage treatment. All I heard from the public was that they cannot afford it.
Instead of throwing money at the problem, why don’t we donate our time. I would be willing to donate 20 hours a year of my time to the project until it is completed, even if I have to use a shovel myself.
This should be considered a community project – come one, come all to a good cause.
Sean Murray
Victoria
------------------------------
CRD BOARD INAUGURAL ADDRESS, 11 JAN, 2012
CRD Board Chair Geoff Young
Inaugural Address
January 2012
------------------------------
ARESST: The Surfers Against Sewage rebuttal to the Guernsey marine-treatment report is on their website.
GUERNSEY UPDATES (4)
BBC News Guernsey
20 January 2012
Campaigners have criticised a report on the effects of sewage off Guernsey ahead of a States debate on the issue next week.
Surfers Against Sewage has described the report that looked into the impact of sewage being pumped in the Little Russell as "flawed" and "misleading".
The Public Services Minister Bernard Flouquet has dismissed the claims.
He said: "All the evidence is that our long sea outfall is not having a negative impact on our environment."
The department has said the report means plans for a full sewage treatment plant, at the cost of £100m over 25 years could be sidelined.
Surfers Against Sewage said the recommendation to continue discharging 16,000 tons of untreated sewage daily into the sea, via the Belle Greve long sea outfall, was based on "inaccurate assumptions".
The nature of the Little Russell, with its large volume of water and rapidly moving tidal currents, enables us to meet the standards required elsewhere”
The group has questioned the modelling data used to decide the recommendations that the States are due to make, which include a replacement long sea outfall pipe, the installation of five diffusers at the outfall and to monitor the impact of sewage every four years.
The campaigners have also claimed consistently poor water quality results along Guernsey's west coast support their questioning of the report.
Deputy Flouquet said: "The nature of the Little Russell, with its large volume of water and rapidly moving tidal currents, enables us to meet the standards required elsewhere - after sewage treatment.
"That may just be Guernsey's good fortune, but it is a fact.
"Beyond the improvements we already have planned, there is no benefit to further land-based treatment, and certainly none that could justify spending £100 million of our taxpayers' money."
He said: "It is not just this new study that shows how extremely misguided this attack on Guernsey is.
"The Marine Conservation Society's latest Beachwatch survey clearly showed that our coastline is not only much cleaner than the UK's, it also far lower incidence of sewage-related debris.
'For example in the south west, where Surfers Against Sewage is based, the incidence of sewage debris was eight times higher than here, making it one of the worst regions in England."
Of 20 beaches tested for the Marine Conservation Society's 2011 Good Beach Guide, just one failed, which was Cobo Bay on the opposite coast to the island's sewage outfall.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
----
channelonline.tv
(no date - probably 19 January)
Campaigners against plans to continue pumping Guernsey's sewage out to sea are upping their protest - Surfers Against Sewage will today unveil a nine-foot "Sewage Surfer" on the beach at Pembroke.
Guernsey was on the brink of spending tens of millions of pounds on a new sewage treatment plant, but the Public Services Department have consulted experts and say there is no environmental benefit to such a facility.
Instead they want to extend the sewage outfall pipe in the Little Russel and leave the rest to mother nature and that has left SAS furious.
In a statement to Channel Television they say: "The States of Guernsey have a history of reneging on their commitment to responsible waste water strategies when they feel the spotlight has moved on. After securing such a commitment from the States of Guernsey in 2009, SAS have stopped campaigning whilst the Public Services Department identified improved sewage treatment methods for the island. However, the campaign is now back on."
However, the Public Services Minister Deputy Bernard Flouquet, speaking at the announcement of an intention to scrap the sewage treatment plans said: "I have personally strongly advocated in the past that we should adopt full treatment. That was the starting point in our investigations, but the scientific evidence we now have shows no significant benefit to justify the very high costs this will entail."
The States will debate the issue next week.
COMMENTS (currently 5):
http://www.channelonline.tv/
-----
BATTLE FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT
Two Guernsey politicians do not want to close the door on the island having a full sewage treatment plant.
Public Services have looked at the idea, but say the cost would be around £100 million and would be a waste of money.
In a report to the States just before Christmas the department said an environmental report had shown full sewage treatment was not necessary.
But Deputies David de Lisle and Barry Brehaut have put in amendment directing Public Services to continue investigating the idea of having full sewage treatment at a conventional wastewater plant. They say that is what the States agreed three years ago and they want the department to report to the States with comprehensive proposals as soon as reasonably practicable.
At the end of last year the States gave the go-ahead for an £11 million scheme to improve the screening of waste water before it is pumped out to sea. Once that project is finished they then want to replace the mile-long 40-year-old outfall at a cost of between £6 million and £8 million - a lot less than full sewage treatment.
Guernsey Water is convinced that sewage going into the Little Russell is not harming the marine environment or water quality, but campaign group Surfers Against Sewage do not agree and are expected to renew their protests soon.
Video report on website: http://www.channelonline.tv/
----
The Public Services Department recommended continuing to pipe sewage in to
BBC News Guernsey
13 January 2012
A marine study in Guernsey has concluded that discharge from a coastal sewage pipe is not a significant contributor to local bathing water.
Intertek-Metoc was commissioned by Guernsey's Public Services Department to undertake the study.
It stated that other sources in the island needed to be investigated for water compliance issues.
It added that while the pipe at Belle Greve Bay was not meeting UK standards, it could be improved with a device.
The company recommended a diffuser attached to the outfall would help dilute the waste in line with UK standards.
Intertek-Metoc presented its findings to about 65 people at Beau Sejour Leisure Centre on 13 January, as part of a meeting to discuss the Public Services Department's sewage treatment proposals.
The department announced it would submit a report to politicians stating that a full sewage treatment facility was not necessary for Guernsey.
The issue will be debated by the States of Guernsey in its January meeting.
------------------------------
TALK 24 JAN: "AN OVERVIEW & UPDATE ON HAZARDOUS WASTE REGULATION"
Ana Tsui,
Environmental Management Officer,
BC Ministry of Environment
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 11:30 - 13:10
Cedar Hill Golf Course, 1400 Derby Road, Victoria, B.C.
Presentation:
Hazardous waste is ubiquitous. It can be produced by almost any industrial or municipal sector activity. This presentation defines hazardous waste and summarizes the Hazardous Waste Regulation and its application in BC. It also describes the legal obligations of individuals, industries, institutions and local government associated with hazardous waste management. Substantive amendments to the Hazardous Waste Regulation, including a major structural change, are being drafted. If you’d like to learn more about the current regulation, your responsibilities and obligations and what’s in store for the future, plan to attend this event. And be sure to bring your questions!
Bio for Ana Tsui:
Ana is an Environmental Engineer with a Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Applied Science degrees from the University of British Columbia. She worked as an environmental consultant, managed hazardous waste at a hazardous waste facility, and oversaw the treatment of contaminated soil. In 2004, she joined the Ministry of Environment, regulating wastewater treatment plants and landfills. Ana is currently part of Hazardous Waste Program at the Ministry office in Victoria. Her work involves developing policy and regulation, liaising with stakeholders, and providing technical support to stakeholders and regional staff.
Please RSVP by email to Eric at AWMAinformation@gmail.com
$15 – paid up A&WMA members (International)
$25 – non-members
$10 – students
Please pay at the door
**Cash or cheque only**
Lunch and coffee will be served at noon.
Cedar Hill Golf Course, 1400 Derby Road, Victoria, B.C.
Presentation:
Hazardous waste is ubiquitous. It can be produced by almost any industrial or municipal sector activity. This presentation defines hazardous waste and summarizes the Hazardous Waste Regulation and its application in BC. It also describes the legal obligations of individuals, industries, institutions and local government associated with hazardous waste management. Substantive amendments to the Hazardous Waste Regulation, including a major structural change, are being drafted. If you’d like to learn more about the current regulation, your responsibilities and obligations and what’s in store for the future, plan to attend this event. And be sure to bring your questions!
Bio for Ana Tsui:
Ana is an Environmental Engineer with a Bachelor of Applied Science and Master of Applied Science degrees from the University of British Columbia. She worked as an environmental consultant, managed hazardous waste at a hazardous waste facility, and oversaw the treatment of contaminated soil. In 2004, she joined the Ministry of Environment, regulating wastewater treatment plants and landfills. Ana is currently part of Hazardous Waste Program at the Ministry office in Victoria. Her work involves developing policy and regulation, liaising with stakeholders, and providing technical support to stakeholders and regional staff.
Please RSVP by email to Eric at AWMAinformation@gmail.com
$15 – paid up A&WMA members (International)
$25 – non-members
$10 – students
Please pay at the door
**Cash or cheque only**
Lunch and coffee will be served at noon.
For more information on our technical lunches, visit http://www.pnwis.org/Ch_VI/
A complete list of upcoming technical luncheons featuring Rob Dalrymple and Francis Zwiers is available at http://chapter.pnwis.org/
Eric Taylor, Past Chair
Vancouver Island Chapter, Pacific Northwest International Section
Air & Waste Management Association
PO Box 9341, STN PROV GOVT, Victoria, BC V8W 9M1 Canada
250 356-2186 Fax 250 356-5496; Eric.Taylor@gov.bc.
A&WMA Luncheon Presentation: http://www.
------------------------------
BEACH LITTER SURVEY:
-------------------------------------------
END.
