Editor:
I would like to comment on one point in the article in Coast Reporter last week regarding Mayor Bruce Milne accepting an award for the Water Resource Centre. In the last paragraph he comments that the membrane filter is responsible for the consistent results being achieved and the greenhouse and plants are superfluous. I think this comment is misleading and shows a lack of understanding of the process.
The main purpose of the plants is not to improve quality of treatment (that is the membrane’s job) but to improve efficiency of the process. This information is available on the District of Sechelt website in the Pre-Design Report which has been on the DOS site since April 2013. In section 6.4.2 Fed Batch Reactor it says: “The Organica Fed Batch Reactor (FBR) solution combines the advantages of conventional Sequence Batch Reactors and continuous flow wastewater treatment technologies. The four-train FBR process uses a combination of continuous flow and sequencing batch reactor systems, which combined with the natural biofilm carrier of plant roots, provides improved efficiency.”
Efficiency was as much a goal of the project as was quality. The plants also contribute to a reduction in odour, and, of course, greatly enhance the appearance of the facility such that the Water Resource Centre is almost unrecognizable as a wastewater treatment plant.
The mayor’s quote leaves the reader with the impression that the greenhouse and plants are unnecessary and possibly not cost effective. In reality, they are an integral part of the process and presumably part of the reason Sechelt was given this prestigious award.
Greg Deacon, Sechelt
