Newly requested guidelines for Revelstoke’s wastewater treatment plant have ballooned the previous budget.
Steve Black, director of engineering and public works presented an update of ongoing upgrading to Revelstoke’s wastewater treatment plant to city council’s committee of the whole at a Feb. 15 meeting. Mayor Gary Sulz and councillors Matt Cherry, Lee Devlin, Austin Luciow and Aaron Orlando were in attendance as Black broke down the updates.
Municipal wastewater treatment facilities must meet Municipal Wastewater Regulation (MWR) guidelines monitored by the BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (MOE). Plans to upgrade Revelstoke’s wastewater infrastructure were sent to MOE staff in May 2023, Black explained, but staff later indicated they had not received the city’s report. Later on, Revelstoke city staff were informed that previous plans to upgrade facilities to meet MWR guidelines over a phased timeline were not acceptable and new environmental impact assessments would be needed.
“In our Liquid Waste Management Plan approach we had asked and gone through a process so that we were going to phase these improvements so we could achieve compliance over time and minimise the upfront costs,” Black said.
Compliance needs now require an environmental impact assessment regarding the overall effect of the wastewater treatment plant, the effluent released from the plant into the Illecillewaet river, updated costs estimates for the overall project and increased Indigenous engagement with local nations and affected parties. Revelstoke will also need to install additional treatment for phosphorus within the water and begin testing for levels of microplastics and personal pharmaceuticals.
Previous cost assessments estimated $13.6 million for the entire project, a cost that was earmarked in the city budget. However, with new requirements and a shortened construction timeline of 15 to 16 months, the project is now estimated to cost $35 million.
The original project budget included $7 million borrowed from the city, and Black advised council and staff to focus on finding other means of funding to make up the over $21 million cost difference. That would include a trip for Mayor Sulz and Black to Victoria to speak with ministers about securing more funding and grants for the project. Answering Coun. Orlando’s question about any other funding options available, Black confirmed city staff have been open with the province about how the new estimated cost threatens the entire project.
“If the province is going to drive us to this treatment level knowing that we don’t have $30 million sitting in a bucket downstairs, we have to find additional sources,” Black said. “[If] the province is demanding we build this plant and combine two phases to a $35 million tune, the province needs to come to the table.”
Revelstoke’s tourism leverage could also be used to help negotiate with the province. Black said.
“We’re the second largest generator of tourism dollars for the province. If that’s important to the province I think they should be able to come and help us continue to be a revenue stream for the province.”
The city is currently looking at a housing accelerator fund that could be put towards the wastewater deficit, director of finance Sheanna Moore confirmed. But she noted the amount would not come near the $20 million needed.
“The city could consider looking at external debt,” Moore said, “However, without having the numbers in front of me I can assure you that there will be another very large increase to the sewer fees to cover the annual debt servicing with a debt load that big.”
Council voted unanimously for Mayor Sulz, Black and other council members to meet with provincial staff in Victoria to seek out added support.
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