Ledcor trial wraps up

A month-long trial of Ledcor's new sewage treatment technology at Sechelt's Ebbtide plant is being met with cautious optimism in the community.

Construction company Ledcor self-funded the trial of its experimental sludge treatment technology, which aims to reduce sludge volumes by 90 per cent, producing water which can safely be discharged into the ocean plus a dried, high-caloric sludge that can potentially be sold as a fuel for industrial processes.

According to the company's March 2 interim report on the trial, Ledcor was looking to: confirm that the system would meet federal and provincial sewage treatment standards, demonstrate the advantages of sustainable sewage treatment systems and demonstrate the system's ability to reduce sludge volumes by more than 90 per cent.

The interim report states test results confirmed the system was meeting secondary treatment standards and that the company was in the final stages of determining which of five polishing technologies would produce the highest tertiary treatment standards - the standard at which water can safely be discharged into the ocean.

The trial wrapped up Friday, March 5. A company spokesperson was not available to comment on the trial's outcomes prior to press deadline Thursday morning, but the company has stated it will provide the District of Sechelt with a report of the trial's outcomes soon.

The trial has been attracting interest in the community, and a number of Sechelt councillors are expressing cautious optimism in the technology -both for septage treatment and the longer-term sewage treatment plant.

"God, if it works, it's a dream come true," said Coun. Keith Thirkell in a phone interview. "Literally, if this does work, it's the saviour of our sewer catastrophe in Sechelt."

Thirkell said that during three visits to the site to observe the trial he noticed "zero odour" and no noise that couldn't be eliminated by building a structure around the tractor trailers where the Ledcor process was happening.

Thirkell pointed to a couple caveats, however.

"I guess the thing we're holding our breath on is the cost, the price tag," he said. "And the fact that it isn't totally proven yet because it's still experimental."

At Sechelt council March 3, Coun. Fred Taylor, who had also stopped by to see the trial, stressed the need for caution amidst the "euphoria" surrounding the new technology.

"We have to be cautious. It's brand new. They haven't finalized the technology, they're still experimenting, and they haven't even priced it," he said. "So there is potential in being first, and a danger. Just as long as we're aware of that."

Also at council, Mayor Darren Inkster commented on community priorities which will have to be considered in looking at Ledcor's technology.

"We need to be sure the technology not only works, but also is affordable to our community," he said. "We want to have something that's environmentally-friendly and sustainable for many years to come, and as part of that we want to be on the leading edge of technology, but not on the bleeding edge of technology."