Town eyes new wastewater treatment facility
The Town of Clark’s Harbour is pursuing the possibility of constructing a new wastewater treatment facility to service the Cape Sable Island town, and possibly neighbouring communities in the Municipality of Barrington.
“Before making any concrete decisions it was thought best practice would be to reach out to the Municipality of Barrington to inquire if there was any interest in sharing a facility in some capacity,” said town clerk Jennifer Jones in a letter received by Barrington council’s committee of the whole at their Jan. 16 meeting.
Clark’s Harbour’s existing new wastewater treatment facility was built in 1976 and is nearly 50 years old.
“Following an inspection by the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change in December 2021 there were many noted deficiencies and this is when it was decided that mere band aids would not solve problems going on for years. There was a feasibility study completed by CBCL in June 2022 and it indicated a new facility would be the best choice,” said Jones.
A second feasibility study was completed last year to determine if there was adequate land available at the existing site to support a facility to service at least 1,500 households and to determine potential costs.
The study recommended a new expanded wastewater treatment facility that could be built at the existing site that could service the town as well as neighbouring communities on the southern loop of Cape Sable Island.
“We are of the understanding that there is funding available for such a facility and that it is looked more favorable upon if two or more municipal units worked together,” said Jones.
“We would like to get this project off the ground in a timely manner and would be most appreciative of your support,” she said, adding town council voted for a 50/50 split of operations and capital if the municipality wishes to join them on this endeavor.
Barrington municipal CAO Chris Frotten said the committee will be recommending to council that it continue exploring the options of a wastewater system on the island in partnership with the town.
The topic of a new wastewater treatment facility in partnership with the town has been in discussion at the municipal table since October 2022, said Frotten.