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Residents in Sooke are concerned about the imminent tax hikes to pay for the new sewer system. |
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Calendar of Events & Special Dates Letters Written and who to write The SLUDGE REPORTS |
Welcome to the SLUDGE REPORT Natives' biologist to study effluent impact on Sooke BayThe future of the Sooke sewer system could depend on the findings of a biologist who will conduct a study on behalf of the T'Souke Nation to ascertain if effluent from the system could harm rich native food resources in the waters of Sooke Bay.This was the major outcome of a meeting between Sooke municipal councillors and Indian Band councillors on May 1. A decision by the biologist that the effluent from the sewer could do harm to the mussels, clams and gooey ducks harvested by Indians in the bay could set the stage for an interesting confrontation between the municipal council and the native Indians. In fact the Sooke municipal council's assertion that the proposed outfall into Sooke Bay to carry effluent from the proposed sewer system would do no harm to the marine environment was received with some skepticism by members of the band council. There were questions not only about the quality of the effluent and its impact on the environment but also what was being done about possible odors that could come from the treatment plant, to be located next door to the No 2 Indian reserve and also whether tide studies had been done to determine where effluent from a pipe two km from shores would be carried. It was explained that at present the band is doing its own study of a sewage disposal system for No 2 reserve that faces on Sooke Bay. Our understanding is that this would involve tertiary treatment for sewage meaning that effluent would be pure and safe to the environment. It could therefore be assumed that the aboriginal people would want no less from a municipal system. The council has stated that it opted for secondary treatment because Administrator Tom Day explained that tertiary treatment would cost millions more and was therefore unaffordable. Council has made much over the fact that a sewer system would go a long way towards cleaning up the waters of the harbour to allow the native people to return to traditional clam harvesting. Ironically while the sewer system might clean up the harbour the effluent from the sewer could pollute Sooke Bay. That's why the decision of the natives' biologist is so important. We'll just have too wait and see. |
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