Woman At Mile 0

Posted by Woman at Mile 0 on January 15th, 2009 in Economy, Environment, Vancouver Island, Victoria, Water

Today we had confirmation of a new sewage treatment plant location for Victoria. It’s probably not a moment too soon either because we continue to receive universal, world-wide condemnation for dumping raw sewage into the ocean.   The plant will be built in the Haro Woods at Arbutus and Finnerty only about a block from where I used to live at the University of Victoria.

I am sure local residents will have lots of questions and be watching closely what happens with this project because it is such a beautiful and ecologically diverse area.  Initial reaction appears positive as residents were more fearful of the land being sold to private developers.  They seem to feel that they will have more control over the development process in the area this way.

The possibilities to recover resources, such as biogas and electricity, inspired her to accept the position.

Urine separation is her favourite option under discussion. Rich in phosphorous, nitrogen and potassium, urine is ideal for making fertilizer.

“It’s a resource and people have got to start realizing we can’t flush resources out to sea,” Brownoff said.

Experts continue to disagree, however, over whether sewage treatment would be more efficient as one large plant or many smaller ones. Fear of the unknown is what scares people most, Brownoff said.

“Too often governments have told (people) as opposed to ask them,” she said, reiterating her commitment to public engagement. She also suggests that people need to understand the facts before spreading fears of an ugly, smelly plant landing in their neighbourhood.

“Don’t assume the worst-case scenario.”

In other Victoria news, a recession is forecast for the island. I still can’t see it out in the community though.  The help wanted signs are still everywhere you look and the job applications are still stuck out where you can’t miss them when you pay at the till.

“I’m forecasting a recession in the Vancouver Island and Coast region for 2009,” Hobden said.

The region’s gross domestic product is expected to slide by four per cent year-over-year, followed by a rise of 3.5 per cent in 2010. GDP is the value of all goods and services produced in an area.

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