Esquimalt's mayor frustrated by ongoing concerns about smells emanating from wastewater plant
Esquimalt's West Bay Marina is scenic. Many folks who live or work there say, at times, it can also be smelly.
"It smells like poop, basically," acknowledged Victoria, who works at the marina’s office and declined to provide her last name.
The smell wafting over the sea is thought by many to be emanating from the McLoughlin wastewater treatment plant – the megaproject Esquimalt reluctantly accepted in its backyard – that has been up and running for two years.
Residents CTV News spoke with noted the smell from the plant depends largely on the extent and direction of winds in the area.
The Capital Regional District – which runs the treatment plant – had promised Esquimalt that if the township allowed the plant to be built there, there would not be any stench coming from it.
The CRD issued a statement Wednesday noting the plant has a system in place that treats odours.
“All air exhausted from the plant is intended to contain a maximum odour concentration at and beyond the plant boundary of less than five odour units per cubic metre, which would be not perceptible to most people,” noted the CRD’s chief administrative officer Ted Robbins.
The CRD acknowledges that there are still some smells coming from the plant, but blames them primarily on maintenance work, noting in a statement Wednesday: “We have said that some odour was generated earlier in the summer when tank/process maintenance work was being conducted, which did result in a few odour complaints.”
Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins says the system isn’t working adequately.
“The CRD made a significant commitment around odour and it has not yet been met to the satisfaction of the residents,” she said Wednesday.
Adding to her concern, the CRD has agreed to pay out the final sums owed to the company that built the plant – nearly $6 million – confirming it's satisfied with the job.
“This was touted as state-of-the-art and all the rest, but if you can't meet the odour control, all the rest doesn't matter,” said Desjardins.
The CRD has promised to investigate the ongoing complaints of smells and address what might be causing them. It’s producing a report next month that will set out its findings and what it's proposing to do next to address the concerns.
For now though, Desjardins is anxious for quick action.
“You don’t have a sewage treatment plant at the gateway to your community that smells,” she said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Saskatchewan isn't remitting the carbon tax on home heating. Why isn't my province following suit?
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams goes to the Bears with the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.