from on .
The subject of sewage treatment has been a contentious one for more than 30 years in Greater Victoria and has so far cost taxpayers millions of dollars.
While some in the region have already begun treating wastewater B次元官网网址� Saanich Peninsula started in 2000, while Sooke completed a system upgrade in 2005 B次元官网网址� the regionB次元官网网址檚 core and West Shore municipalities send untreated sewage into Juan de Fuca Strait.
The cost, siting and engineering of a regional treatment project make this a complex undertaking from a technical standpoint, but also from a political one, as council representatives from seven municipalities debate plans.
In the past six years alone, the Capital Regional District has spent tens of millions of taxpayersB次元官网网址� dollars on research, consultant fees, land purchases and construction. Completion of the project is estimated to cost more than a $1 billion. Annual operating costs will add to the amount for which homeowners and commercial property owners will be on the hook.
ItB次元官网网址檒l be up to municipalities and the CRD to determine how the tax burden is divided. But whoB次元官网网址檚 making these decisions, and who is holding them accountable?
To help readers gain a better understanding of where weB次元官网网址檝e been, where we are now, whoB次元官网网址檚 involved and what the future holds, Black Press assembled an investigative journalism team to provide perspective and help simplify this complex topic.
Starting in tomorrowB次元官网网址檚 Victoria B次元官网网址, Saanich B次元官网网址, Oak Bay B次元官网网址, B次元官网网址 Peninsula B次元官网网址 Review, and next Wednesday's Sooke B次元官网网址 Mirror, our five-part series will tackle issues ranging from where money has been spent and the sites being considered to what other cities have done and what scientists say.
WeB次元官网网址檒l ask for feedback along the way and encourage you to connect with your community newspaper. Write letters to the editor or comment on Facebook and Twitter.
This special Black Press presentation aims to give you new insights into this complicated issue.
To listen to Goldstream B次元官网网址 Gazette editor Don Descoteau's interview on Friday about the new series with CFAX 1070 host Ian Jessop, scan to the 33:40 mark below.
[]
