Editor:
I strongly agree with the comments by W.S. Barden (“Gibsons has odour issue,” Letters, Aug. 20) regarding the unacceptable putrid odours emanating from the Gibsons wastewater treatment plant. These emanations are increasing in frequency and intensity and are a major nuisance to the surrounding community. Barden also asks that money be directed to upgrading the sewage facility.
Considering that Gibsons received a government grant of $1.3 million to do work to improve “odour control and plant efficiencies” from 2016 through 2018 (Coast Reporter, Aug. 6, 2015) and then in 2019 the town also indebted its taxpayers for the next 20 years to an additional sum of $1.76 million to upgrade the Prowse Road wastewater lift station and related infrastructure, it is puzzling how this facility seems to be seriously deteriorating in its ability to manage odour.
Barden also compares Gibsons with Whistler and notes that if Whistler can successfully manage its wastewater then so can Gibsons. I also note that during a recent visit I took to Hawaii I had occasion to be near the large 18-acre wastewater treatment plant in Waianae, which processes an average of 5.2 million gallons per day of Honolulu County’s wastewater. This facility abuts a large shopping mall, beaches, and a major highway and is completely odourless. This is apparently due to the diligence of the workers who run the plant and have won six major national awards for their excellent work over the past few years.
Possibly our workers can find some inspiration from those workers in Whistler and Hawaii.
We, your neighbours, certainly hope so. And our noses do too.
Michael Storr, Gibsons
