Septage Facility

The septage receiving facility on Dusty Road is coming to the end of its operational life and the lease for the property expires in 2031.We're looking ahead now so that plans are in place to make a possible shift to a new facility easily.

While the District creates projects for today, we are always thinking about tomorrow and planning for the future. Facilities are something we know will expire eventually. Determining the future demand for a facility is important in order to adequately size and phase upgrades for a new facility.

What is a septage receiving facility?

In a nut shell, it's where all the sewage from holding tanks, septic tanks, porta-potties and pit toilets go to be consolidated and receive pre-treatment before being sent to the District's Water Resource Centre. Solids generated from this process are composted or disposed in a landfill. It's not pretty, but it is necessary.

The Dusty Road Septage Receiving Facility

This facility accepts product from:

• Holding and septic tanks
• Porta-Potties
• Pit toilets
• Sludge from community sewer systems (District of Sechelt, shíshálh Nation Government District, Town of Gibsons and the Sunshine Coast Regional District.
• BC Ferries
• Brewery and cider production wastes
• Grease traps
• Wash water from the cleaning of sewage lift stations, drain fields and catch basins.

Objective

To prepare a long-term plan and options for a new sustainable septage receiving facility that is operated on a cost recovery basis.

Community Engagement

Step 1: We'll be talking extensively with stakeholders like septic tank cleaning/pumping companies, commercial generators, BC Ferries, local governments and municipalities, and the public. Information gathered from the first round of consultation will be compiled and used to develop the 50-year demand forecast model.

Step 2: We'll be looking at potential new facility locations. We will go back to the public and stakeholders to present various potential locations. This will happen once the statement of requirements for the facility design has been approved.

All information will be posted here and advertised through the District's social media and the local newspaper.

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