Dates are set, and smells expected, during spring maintenance on the McLoughlin Point Wastewater Treatment Plant in Esquimalt.
The Capital Regional District is doing a 21-day sewage bypass of secondary treatment during the work expected to run through April 16. During that time, effluent with only primary treatment will be dumped into the sea with a chance of localized smell in the area over an eight-day period starting March 29.
“In an effort to minimize the duration of possible odour-causing activities, work will be occurring throughout the day and night,” the CRD said in a notice to residents. “This work is part of the planned maintenance in accordance with the treatment plant design and is being undertaken to ensure ongoing efficient and reliable operations.”
The CRD treatment plant opened in late 2020 to provide tertiary treatment for wastewater from the core area municipalities of Victoria, Esquimalt, Saanich, Oak Bay, View Royal, Langford and Colwood, and the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations.
Secondary treatment involves the removal of biodegradable organic matter and suspended solids through the processes of aeration and filtration. Tertiary treatment includes removing specific substances of concern – such as solids, nutrients or contaminants – after secondary treatment using a number of physical, chemical or biological processes.
The McLoughlin Point Wastewater Treatment Plant can treat 108 megalitres (23.8 million imperial gallons) of wastewater per day to a tertiary level – one of the highest levels of treatment available.
The federal government allows for authorized temporary bypass – where a facility can exceed the standards of the regulations – for maintenance and construction.
