Sooke Wastewater System

operational

Opportunity The District of Sooke (approximate population: 11,000) was the second largest community on Vancouver Island without any form of municipal water treatment. The community needed a new sewer system and wastewater treatment plant in order to protect the Sooke Harbour from failing septic field contamination. The District, which had no public works staff trained in wastewater treatment, selected an experienced company through a P3 process to build their wastewater treatment system. Challenges The project was an early P3, structured using the Design-Build-Operate model. Innovations The project was approved by District Council following an extensive public consultation process and community referendum. Results The 43-kilometre collection system includes six pump stations, a 1.77 kilometre-long 30 metre-deep outfall and a new 3,000 cubic metre treatment plant to serve the Sooke core area. The wastewater collection system is publicly owned by the District of Sooke and operated by EPCOR. The wastewater treatment system is now capable of meeting some of the most stringent regulatory requirements in British Columbia using secondary sewage treatment which typically removes 90 per cent of total suspended solids and high levels of other contaminants, providing significant environmental benefits. Using a P3 provided a lower cost solution than traditional procurement. Significant water quality improvements have occurred in the harbour since the system was put into place.

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