Background
The Joint Utilities Board Sewage Treatment Plant is a hybrid secondary/tertiary treatment plant located on the Cowichan River that treats wastewater from North Cowichan, Duncan, Cowichan Bay, Eagle Heights, and Cowichan Tribes (the CVRD Central Sector Area). The plant is located on Cowichan Tribes’ land near Duncan and is operated by North Cowichan. The plant discharges highly treated effluent (cleaned water) into the Cowichan River, approximately 5 kilometres upstream from Cowichan Bay. While this effluent meets provincial swimming safety standards, it is not clean enough for drinking.
The Outfall Relocation Project will move the treated sewage effluent outfall to a more suitable deep water location at the embayment line of Cowichan Bay.
There are several reasons for relocating the outfall:
- The treatment plant is on land leased from Cowichan Tribes The lease agreement includes a commitment to make a reasonable effort to move the outfall from the Cowichan River.
- During periods of very low river flow, such as during summer and early fall droughts, there is not enough flow to provide the desired amount of effluent dilution. Low river flows are expected to become more frequent in the future, even with the raising of the Cowichan weir.
- During high flow periods, the existing outfall infrastructure is at risk of damage from log jams and gravel accumulation, and the treatment plant is at risk of flooding.
A further benefit is that moving the outfall from the river may trigger a reassessment of the current closure on shellfish harvesting in Cowichan Bay.
- Discussion, public engagement, and other information is on North Cowichan's digital engagement site. Visit connectnorthcowichan.ca/outfall to learn more and have a say.
Proposed outfall location
Extensive studies, First Nations consultations, and engagement with the public and interest groups have identified a preferred location for the new outfall at the embayment line at the mouth of Cowichan Bay (see Map). At this time, Anchorage B is blocking the route to the preferred location.
North Cowichan is working with Transport Canada in the hope that this anchorage can be removed before work begins. In the meantime, a suitable location for an interim outfall location has been identified if it is necessary. A public notice regarding the new outfall location has been installed at Hecate Park as required by Transport Canada. The public comment period is November 13, 2024 to December 13, 2024 Comments may be made in writing to NPPPAC-PPNPAC@tc.gc.ca
An Environmental Impact Study (Receiving Environment Monitoring Program) (PDF) is guiding the project monitoring.
Pipeline routing
The cleaned effluent will be transported by pipe from the treatment plant to the new Cowichan Bay outfall.
Most of the land portion of the pipe route will be buried along existing roads, including through Cowichan Tribes and along Cowichan Bay Road from Maple Grove Park to Hecate Park.
The pipe will enter the bay at Hecate Park. The marine portion of the pipe will rest on the sea floor (or be buried in a trench for parts). Steps will be taken to mitigate any impacts and replace and enhance the eelgrass beds.
Additional background, reports, and studies
Visit connectnorthcowichan.ca/outfall for more background information and to review all background reports and studies.
Additional Background Information and Detailed Reports
Contact us:
- Email: outfall@northcowichan.ca
- Phone: 250-746-3103