More than a month before its completion date, the Sechelt Water Resource Centre is already processing cleaner wastewater and using less energy than the system it’s replacing, project manager Paul Nash said Jan. 21.
In his quarterly report to council, Nash said the $25-million facility processed its first batch of effluent on Jan. 13 and the quality of wastewater was higher than what the Ebbtide and Dusty Road treatment plants were producing.
“So it isn’t quite meeting our new discard requirements … but we’re already better than what we’ve got,” Nash said.
After new membranes — or filters — are commissioned in mid-February, he said, “I think the end result will be pretty indistinguishable from tap water.”
Water-borne plants that will be used as part of the state-of-the-art treatment process are expected to arrive within the next few weeks, he said, adding the facility can meet its performance requirements without a single plant being introduced.
“They help the efficiency of the process and the ultimate capacity of the treatment plant, but in term of water quality, we can achieve that without them.”
Nash said the new facility is also using less than one quarter of the power consumption during the aeration stage of treatment, “which is why we’ll have significant energy savings.”
The Ebbtide plant was scheduled for shutdown this week, and demolition of the public works building is set for next month. Completion of the new facility is targeted for March 13, after a 28-day proving period.
Reviewing the project’s 2013 budget, Nash noted design-build contractor Maple Reinders is projected to charge $167,000 in changes, calling it “a remarkably low number for a $21-million contract.”
Changes worth $242,000 are forecast for the District of Sechelt, to cover the cost of items such as furniture, a forklift and cleanup of the Ebbtide plant, leaving an estimated $141,000 in contingency funds.
“By the end of the project we’ll probably have a little bit more, but the key point is we’re in pretty good shape,” Nash said.
Following Nash’s presentation, Mayor Bruce Milne said, “I think everyone is looking forward to the day it’s totally finished and we know it’s been running well and it’s on budget.”
Meanwhile, provincial Environment Minister Mary Polak toured the new facility on Friday, Jan. 23.
Polak “had a number of meetings booked and had a period of time available,” the District’s communications manager, Connie Jordison, said Monday. “She was very interested and very impressed with the facility.”
While in Sechelt, Polak also attended an invitation-only lunch with Liberal party members at the Lighthouse Pub.
