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We should all have an equal say in expensive sewer system
by Gail and Dave Nash in Sooke News Mirror, March 21, 2001
Our family is very concerned about the planned sewer system for the core area of Sooke.
We do not live within that area, yet we understand we will be taxed to cover some of the costs of installing the sewer system. Those within the sewer area will also have to pay hookup fees as well as the taxes.
If the sewer service eventually expands throughout Sooke, we will be saddled with extra taxes to cover that expansion and still be required to pay hookup fees.
While we assume these excess taxes, we will still have to maintain our existing septic systems.
We are told that failing septic fields are responsible for much of the pollution in Sooke Harbour, but it appears only the septic fields in the core area of Sooke are really at fault.
Guess if you have a septic field on a desirable piece of property (read wanted by developers), that is more serious to the harbour than ones in the outlying areas.
Many Sooke residents can’t afford higher taxes. They will have no choice but to pay for this sewer system at the expense of keeping up their own septic fields properly.
For people within the core area who can’t afford the additional taxes and hookup costs, they will have no choice but to sell their property and/or business and relocate somewhere else. Sooke may have more vacant business spaces within the town centre.
Even worse, there will be pressure on outlying areas for commercial ventures to start up, causing strife in residential areas.
We realize that Sooke does need to look at better treatment of sewage. However, we have not been satisfied at the information meetings that complete studies have been done, particularly on the effects of adding the treated fresh water plus retained solids, etc. to the salt water environment around the outfall.
When asked about this, the so-called expert at the first meeting we attended had to admit she hadn’t even really thought about that and doubted there would be any real concerns. Obviously, she had not done a thorough assessment.
We have been told we cannot vote on this sewer project and our concerns about the environmental impact of the outfall do not matter.
Our Council is outdoing themselves to obtain grants for this project, sacrificing both the financial and environmental costs and the confidence of the residents of Sooke.
Sooke is our home and we should all have an equal say in this expensive and contentious issue.
Let’s have a referendum, and let’s see proper environmental studies completed first.
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