Smaller sewage plant reduced federal grant

Re: “CRD directors must step up on sewage project,” comment, Feb. 17.

Saanich Mayor Richard Atwell makes a number of pertinent points, but was at a loss to explain the reduction in the grant from P3 Canada. The answer is very simple — in an effort to reduce the capital cost of the project, the scope was reduced.

Resource recovery at the Hartland biosolids processing facility was scaled back, reducing the grant available from P3 Canada, as P3 Canada funding is based on 25 per cent of the eligible costs. The lower capital cost resulted in a reduction of the grant from P3 Canada.

The value of the scope reduction was about $80 million. Reducing the scope of the treatment plant at McLoughlin Point from 124 megalitres per day to 108 megalitres per day also has a significant value. For example, a standalone plant of 16 megalitres per day has an estimated cost of about $100 million.

While one could present a detailed comparison of the current and previous projects showing that we’re getting less value for money, there would be little to be gained by doing so. The decision has been made to proceed with the project as currently proposed.

The time for debate is over. It’s time for Esquimalt to rezone McLoughlin Point and for construction to get underway to eliminate offshore disposal of sewage. Jack Hull Interim sewage project director, 2010 to 2013 Victoria