Sewer letters are encouraging, needed

By Lois Gardner to Sooke News Mirror, September 3, 2003

It’s great that more people are writing in about the sewer issue, as it really needs discussing.

I sincerely apologize to Ted Davies and any other of my neighbours who want, need, and can afford a sewer I sure did not mean to say we are all in the same boat regarding the benefits of it.

Sooke needs the sewer, and I want to vote yes to it, but can’t afford to, because I’m still paying for the 2001 field I’ve got.

Both Mr. Davies’ point of view and mine are valid and appropriate, and it falls to council to work out some way that we can all be fairly treated. The simplest way would be a sliding scale of payment depending on the age of the current septic system, and the number of bedrooms in the dwelling. There are only a few 100 houses in the specified area; it’s not rocket science to create several groups of properties, with different levels of taxation based on use of the system.

Besides fairness to taxpayers, there are other questions that need answering.

1. Is the proposed sewer picking up all sources of pollution entering the Harbour and Basin?
2. Is a treatment plant with ocean outfall absolutely NOT going to impact fishery, tourism or First Nation? Is there a better option for disposal of waste water?
3. Why is a private company a better option than the CRD, to build and operate the treatment plant? EPCOR is not investing any money from the sounds of it, but as a private company they intend to make a profit. Will they be billing residents separately for sewage treatment, and have their hands permanently in our pockets, or will they operate on a fixed contract with the district?

This is not an issue that needs fighting about, it’s simply a case of making it work for everyone, and giving us the details on what the "deal" is, before we vote.