Work is underway to move the Joint Utilities Board treated sewage effluent outfall from the Cowichan River to a new location at the embayment line in Cowichan Bay.
Public engagement on this project is providing:
- Information on the selected outfall location and pipe route.
- Information on the project cost and approach to addressing cost increases.
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Why relocate the outfall?
There are several reasons to relocate the outfall:
- The treatment plant is on land leased from Cowichan Tribes. The lease agreement includes a commitment to make a reasonable effort to move the outfall from the Cowichan River.
- During periods of very low river flow, there is not enough flow to provide the desired amount of effluent dilution. Low river flows, in particular during the summer and early fall, are expected to become more frequent due to climate change.
- The existing outfall infrastructure in the river is at risk of damage from log jams and gravel accumulation.
- Moving the outfall from the river may trigger a reassessment of the current shellfish harvesting moratorium in Cowichan Bay.
A new outfall location and marine pipeline
Extensive studies, First Nations consultations and interest group/public engagement have identified a preferred location of the new outfall at the embayment line of Cowichan Bay. The pipe will enter Cowichan Bay at Hecate Park and travel across the seafloor and out to the new outfall. The marine portion of the pipe will be buried in the foreshore area, with the remaining section resting on the sea floor.
Map: Final marine routing to embayment line
The outfall locations will provide significant dilution of the cleaned effluent in deeper water. Modelling shows that the discharge will meet federal and provincial standards, even with increased quantities of effluent as the population grows. The new outfall discharges into deeper water which will provide significant dilution of the treated effluent. Modelling shows that the discharge will more than meet federal and provincial standards, even with increased quantities of effluent as the population grows. A 400 metre buffer zone around the outfall (shown in green) avoids known shellfish beds (shown in pink). This is a requirement in the regulations.
Steps to mitigate any impacts to important eelgrass beds in the Cowichan Bay estuary will be taken. Where necessary, the eelgrass will be replaced and enhanced.
An Environmental Impact Study (Receiving Environment Monitoring Program) (PDF) is guiding the project monitoring. Pre-discharge monitoring and baseline studies have assessed the suitability of the discharge locations and established the background conditions in the receiving environment (Cowichan Bay) prior to installation of the new outfall. Ongoing monitoring after the outfall is operational will take place with the assistance of local First Nations.
Proposed pipeline routing (on land)
The cleaned effluent will no longer go into the Cowichan River, but will be transported by pipe from the treatment plant to the new Cowichan Bay outfall.
Through extensive consultation with First Nations, interest groups, and the public, a preferred pipeline route has been selected. This will see the pipe buried underground along road rights-of-way through reserve lands of Cowichan Tribes, along part of Cowichan Bay Road, and into the marine environment at Hecate Park.
The route through Cowichan Tribes land has been approved by Cowichan Tribes Chief and Council but is subject to minor adjustments through ongoing consultations.
Eelgrass protection
Steps to mitigate any impacts to important eelgrass beds in the Cowichan Bay estuary will be taken and where necessary, the eelgrass will be replaced and enhanced. The marine portion of the pipe will rest on the sea floor or in a trench for some sections.
Project cost and addressing cost increases
As with other construction projects, the expected cost of the outfall project has increased significantly since it was first planned. The total project cost is now estimated at about $95 million. If the Joint Utilities Board were to proceed with construction with the limited grants currently secured, it would lead to unacceptably high costs for homeowners and businesses connected to the treatment plant.
At this time, work is continuing with geotechnical, survey, and archaeological work, as well as First Nations consultations.
The Joint Utilities Board is seeking additional funding from the provincial and federal governments to cover at least two-thirds of the cost. Construction will not begin until sufficient funds have been secured. Design will continue so that this project is “shovel-ready,” which will help when trying to secure additional provincial and federal funding.
When construction begins, the remaining project cost will be paid by users of the JUB Sewage Treatment Plant. It is expected that the total cost for a typical household would be about $1,830 (in total), or about $129 per year (for 20 years).
Households and businesses that are not using the treatment plant are not affected by the project costs.
Public and interest group engagement
Public conversations about relocating the outfall began in 2015 with public engagement led by the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD). Interest group engagement began in 2018, led by North Cowichan.
In 2020 and 2021, additional public engagement on proposed land and marine pipe routing took place through online discussions and a webinar.
- Project updates and engagement reports can be found in the Documents section of this page.
First Nations consultation
FirstNations consultations have been taking place over the duration of this project.
This consultation involves in-depth conversations with Cowichan Tribes,
Pauquachin First Nation, W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council (Tsartlip, Tseycum, and
initially Tsawout First Nations), Malahat Nation, and Tsawout First Nation.
These consultations and engagement with First Nations related to marine
monitoring, both pre- and post-discharge, will be ongoing
