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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 |
Earthquake risk boosts estimate for sewer repair at Gyro Park by Bill Cleverley, Times Colonist June 7, 2001 It will cost anywhere between $425,000 and $1 million to better quake-proof the major sewage line running through Gyro Park in Cadboro Bay. The East Coast Interceptor line last ruptured May 10, spewing sewage into the parking lot and closing the park during the two days needed for repairs. The break, the third in the area since 1996, is believed to have been caused by a Feb. 28 earthquake near Seattle. Because the section of pipe runs through a peat bog it is susceptible to seismic activity, Seamus McDonnell, Capital Regional District director of engineering services, told the environment committee Wednesday. "It's just about the worst soil for pipes in the Greater Victoria area," he said. The line could be rerouted to avoid the bog but that would probably cost about four times as much as trying to improve the piping. The section of pipe was originally built on posts to try to stabilize it. But the three breaks have convinced CRD staff more work has to be done. The committee agreed to hire Naresh Koirala of EBA Consultants for $25,000 to recommend the best design for the challenging soil conditions. Meanwhile, committee members praised staff for their quick action in repairing the latest break. News of the break first came in via a phone call from a resident at about 2:15 p.m. May 10. Pump trucks removed the sewage and groundwater from under the parking lot and pumped it back into the sewer system. The parking lot surface has been removed and line laid down while sewage soaked soil was dumped at Hartland landfill. Repairs to the pipe were completed by 2:20 p.m. the next day and the park was reopened by May 13. The $19-million East Coast Interceptor was completed in 1992. The 9,970 metre pipe intercepts sewage from all of Oak Bay and the eastern third of Saanich and Victoria. It divers unscreened sewage from marine outfalls at Finnerty Cove, Rutland Road, Humber Road and McMicking Point as well as intercepting overflows from Oak Bay and Victoria sewage systems. |
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