Victoria, BC–- A recent staff report to the Ganges Sewer Local Services Commission on Salt Spring Island confirms that the Ganges Wastewater Infrastructure Renewal Project is progressing well and is within budget and ahead of schedule. Additionally, the report concluded that there is sufficient capacity in the system to accommodate growth within the existing service area.
The Ganges sewer system and treatment plant, constructed in the early 1980s, has received only minor upgrades and repairs/replacements since construction. The current upgrade work is required as much of the original 40-year old equipment in the plant has reached the end of its design life and needs to be replaced in order to maintain the high level of treatment that the plant has been providing.
Some of the key project objectives include:
- upgrade the equipment to ensure the effluent quality continues to meet the Ministry of Environment discharge requirements;
- improve health and safety conditions for the operators;
- optimize the plant to minimize maintenance costs and emergency repairs;
- improve the collection system; and
- assess the hydraulic capacity of the system to verify remaining capacity for the service.
In a referendum held in 2015, electors voted in favour of borrowing up to $3.9 million to fund the project. Detailed designs were completed in 2017, tendered in early 2018 and construction commenced in the summer. To date, the following work has been completed:
- replacement of the fine screen and pumps;
- installation of a new sludge thickening system;
- cleaning and upgrading of instruments in the equalization and membrane storage tanks; and
- replacement of the standby emergency generator.
The Motor Control Centre and upgrades to Harbour House and Manson pump stations will be completed later this year. Further upgrades will be made to the collection sewers in 2019 to reduce inflow and infiltration. Project completion is scheduled for summer 2019.
With the completion of these upgrades, the Ganges Sewer System will continue to provide high quality service to the Ganges Village for many more years to come.
To learn more about the project, visit https://www.crd.bc.ca/project/capital-projects/ganges-sewer-plant.
Proud to be recognized as one of BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, 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 all levels of government 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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Attachment: photos of project activities
For media inquiries, please contact:
Malcolm Cowley, Manager
Wastewater Engineering and Planning
Tel: 250.360.3066
Cell: 250.812.7773