Deep-shaft sewage systems have problems

Re: “Atwell sparks ruckus by making own sewage moves,” June 8.

I wonder why the the Clover Point deep-shaft technology proposal was still being considered as a viable option.

If you do a quick Internet search of this treatment process, it appears that it has many issues. Some plants that were built have just been abandoned and replaced with another type of treatment plant.

Even the Capital Regional District’s own technical oversight panel did not support the concept, and gave three reasons: The technology is unproven at this scale; the membrane biological reactor and deep-shaft technology combination is also unproven; and the operational complexity of an underground plant.

Portage la Prairie and Virden, Man., had deep-shaft systems that weren’t able to meet effluent standards and were abandoned and replaced with conventional treatment plants. The Molson brewery in Barrie was also using a deep-shaft system, but it was shut down in August 2000. King County in Washington state ran one for about two years as a pilot project and then gave up on it.

Even with a history of having difficulty in meeting effluent regulations, Dawson City (population 1,400) still built one for $25 million. Since being completed, it has had numerous problems over three years of operation. Operation and maintenance costs were estimated by the proponent to be $280,000 a year, but in 2014 those costs were more than $850,000.

I am puzzled about this proposal’s promotion. We should be learning from other municipalities’ experiences so as to avoid similar results here. James Lloyd Colwood

A letter-writer suggests that a “deep shaft” sewage-treatment plant option proposed for Clover Point uses technology that has proved problematic when used elsewhere.