A trio and their dogs traverse a popular trail in Haro Woods. Photo © VibrantVictoria.ca.

A stretch of green space bordering the University of Victoria has been identified as a future site of a sewage treatment facility by the Capital Regional District’s sewage treatment plan.  But according to nearby residents, Haro Woods, which covers an expanse nearly one kilometer in length between Cedar Hill Cross Road and Sinclair Road in Saanich, is no place for sewage treatment.

A website has been setup by residents who are advocating for the transformation of Haro Woods from a parcel of land with future development potential to a public park.  SaveHaroWoods.ca, operated by Deborah Dickson, claims that a sewage treatment plant is not the most prudent use of the land and in the event of a spill at the treatment facility, wildlife and a nearby children’s hospital could be affected.  “If there was to be a raw sewage spill, say like the one that just happened in Halifax or say, what happened in Hamilton – you would see that not only is the land at risk, but the marine environment that includes the JPod Orcas. Consider a major sewage spill dumping through the children’s hospital 100 meters from the proposed site,” Dickson wrote on VibrantVictoria.ca’s discussion forum.

In response to the forces trying to save the green space from development, VibrantVictoria.ca discussion forum member “Bernard” suggested that if residents wish to preserve the land from development, they should come together and offer to buy it (the parcel is currently owned by the University of Victoria, the municipality of Saanich and the Queen Alexandria Foundation).  “…we have to keep in mind that the land is not public lands set aside for public enjoyment or preservation,” Bernard wrote, and added that if “50 houses in the area took out a $100,000 second mortgage, there would be more than enough money to buy the lands.”

The issue of sewage treatment and the location of treatment sites has been contentious since the early days of the sewage treatment debate.  Faced with well over a billion dollars in start-up and operating costs and on-going maintenance costs thereafter, many residents have been up in arms over sewage treatment plans that according to some scientists are completely unnecessary given the treatment already in place and the characteristics of the Straight of Juan de Fuca.  Others claim that the dumping of sewage into the open waters is an embarrassment and could have long term environmental repercussions.

Meanwhile, supporters of the initiative and taxpayers upset over plans to force sewage treatment across the capital region are staging a rally on the steps of the legislature this Wednesday, March 17th at 2PM.

To discuss the Save Haro Woods initiative on the VibrantVictoria.ca discussion forum click here.  To discuss sewage treatment in the capital region, click here.

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