Victoria to Test Cutting Edge Sewer Rehabilitation Technology

The Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources along with Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services, Union of British Columbia Municipalities President Susan Gimse and Victoria Mayor Alan Lowe unveiled the project at an event earlier today. A grant of $3 million, covering the full estimated cost of the project, has been awarded to Victoria through the Gas Tax Fund.

“The health of the environment is a key priority for our government,” said Minister Lunn. “By using innovative technology to improve its sanitary sewer system, the City of Victoria is reducing inflow in James Bay. The Government of Canada is proud to be a part of this initiative through our Gas Tax Fund.”

The study will test three innovative technologies to reduce the amount of inflow and infiltration in the City of Victoria’s sanitary sewer system. Inflow and infiltration, or I&I, are terms used to describe the ways that groundwater and stormwater enter into dedicated wastewater or sanitary sewer systems. Excessive I&I can overload sewer capacity, resulting in system overflows and increased sewage treatment costs. If successful, the pilot project will provide a rehabilitation strategy for use in the rest of Victoria’s sanitary sewer system, and serve as template for use throughout the region.

“This project offers a variety of environmental and social benefits to the James Bay and Victoria community,” said Minister Chong. “I’m glad the Gas Tax funding partners are able to support such an important sanitary sewer project to make the community a greener, healthier place to live.”

Focusing on nine kilometres of sewer sub-catchments in James Bay, the project will also employ cutting-edge trenchless construction technology that reduces costs by 75% in comparison to traditional excavation and replacement methods, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions from construction by up to six times. By leaving the roadways in the neighbourhood undisturbed, trenchless construction will minimize impacts on local residents and the travelling public.

“This much-needed funding is an investment in our infrastructure, and ultimately our environment,” said Mayor Lowe. “This pilot project will directly benefit Victoria taxpayers and holds great potential for how all municipalities rehabilitate aging sewer systems.”

"A key part of the Gas Tax program in BC is funding for projects that test innovative technology," said President Gimse. "Victoria's sewer rehabilitation project will yield data that will prove useful to many local governments in BC."

The Gas Tax Fund delivers federal funding to local governments and other eligible recipients primarily for capital projects that lead to cleaner air, cleaner water or reduced greenhouse gas emissions. The range of eligible capital projects includes public transit, community energy, water, wastewater and solid waste infrastructure investments. Funding is also available for planning projects that contribute to the sustainability of communities and regions. The Government of Canada announced in Budget 2008 that the Gas Tax Fund will be extended at $2 billion per year beyond 2013-14 and become permanent.

UBCM administers the Gas Tax Fund in B.C. in collaboration with Canada and B.C.