To sewer, or not to sewer? That is the question, which has been on the minds of Colwood residents for decades.

A referendum in 1992 found the majority of locals preferred private septic systems over a sewer expansion funded by property taxes, with 61 per cent taking part voting against.

This resulted in a patchwork of sewers across Colwood as new developments were approved and constructed.

A smaller referendum in 2001 gave a similar result, says Coun. Ian Ward, who has signalled another vote could be on the horizon for the city.

At a recent update for councillors, Ward says city staff explained they have identified 57 catchment areas in Colwood currently without a sewer network, which B次元官网网址渙ptimisticallyB次元官网网址� could cost an estimated $103 million to install.

Stressing no decisions have been made by the city, Ward said councillors have asked staff to continue exploring the cost of sewer installation for the identified areas and its financial impact on residents.

B次元官网网址淸And] how much of it will be taken care of by development over the course of the next 10 years or so,B次元官网网址� he adds.

Information will then be presented to the community, with a possible referendum on the decision in 2026, to coincide with the municipal election.

B次元官网网址淲e want to at least be able to put the information out there in such a way that the public is totally informed of what the potential is, what the cost is, what the timing is like,B次元官网网址� said Ward.

B次元官网网址淎ll of the data would be readily available to citizens and ideally we'd put the decision in their hands.B次元官网网址�

Ward expects the topic to be a contentious issue again, especially for those happy with their own private septic systems.

B次元官网网址淚've heard from a couple of people who recently re-did their septic systems,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hey paid $17,000 and it's now good for decades. So the idea of now paying, in addition to that, to hook up to sewer seems completely illogical for them.

B次元官网网址淪o there are those who would be negatively impacted by a blanket move to sewer.B次元官网网址�

According to information from 2021, the majority of Colwood households B次元官网网址� around 55 per cent B次元官网网址� are currently served by septic systems.

Many of these private systems are said to be aging and in need of potential repair or replacement in the coming years. 

Identified as one of the most pressing issues for residents, the city endorsed a Sewer Master Plan update in 2023, for planning purposes.

City staff were directed to provide options for how sewer service could be expanded throughout Colwood, detailing a phased approach that considers the cost, geology, existing infrastructure and growth expected for each area of the city. 

For more information about ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 Sewer Master Plan, visit the website: .