Comox Valley Sewer Service Liquid Waste Management Plan

 

About the Comox Valley Sewer Service Liquid Waste Management Plan

The Comox Valley Sewer Service treats raw sewage (wastewater) from homes and businesses in Courtenay, Comox and K’ómoks First Nation. More than 14,000 cubic metres of wastewater from these communities flows daily through a pipe located along the Willemar Bluffs. This is an exposed section of beach that is vulnerable to damage by waves, rocks and logs and poses an environmental risk to beaches and waters throughout the Comox Estuary, Point Holmes and Goose Spit coastline, as well as Baynes Sound.

In 2018, the CVRD started work on a Liquid Waste Management Plan for the Comox Valley Sewer System to ensure our system will continue to operate safely and grow with our community. This process is used by local governments in BC to develop strategies for managing sewer services. It includes the collection/review of existing information, development of options for future services, identification of a preferred option, completion of required studies and assessments and development of financial and implementation plans. The plan involves public consultation at all steps in the process and is ultimately submitted to the provincial government for review and consideration for approval. To see how input has been collected and used throughout this process, please click the Public Engagement drop-down menu below.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this process, including the many members of the general public who participated in workshops, open houses, online surveys, and online information sessions. In particular, thank you to the members of the public and technical advisory committee (TACPAC) for their ongoing commitment over the three-year process.

The project team submitted the draft plan to the province for review and approval as the second phase of this three step process.  The draft plan for Stage 2 was submitted summer 2022. The review will take approximately one year. Based on feedback from the province, the plan will be revised, shared with the community and then submitted back to the province for final approval, which is likely to occur in Spring 2024. 

The Comox Valley Sewer Conveyance Project
 

The LWMP identified a preferred conveyance route for new/upgraded sewer pipes and pump stations, which was approved by the Comox Valley Sewage Commission in February 2021. Borrowing was approved through an Alternative Approval Process in July 2021 and this critical work is now moving forward as a separate project due to its urgent nature. This new system will route sewer pipes further inland where they will no longer be vulnerable to damage by waves, rocks and logs. The construction of this new line will start in late 2023 / spring 2024 and will protect the beaches and waters throughout the Comox Estuary, Point Holmes, Goose Spit coastline, as well as Baynes Sound. 

Visit the Comox Valley Sewer Conveyance project page to learn more.

Coming Up Next

  • Summer 2023: Provincial approval of Stage 2 plan.
  • Fall/Winter 2023: Draft Stage 3 plan, including financing and implementation schedule, and present it to the community.
  • Spring 2024: Stage 3 LWMP submitted to province.
  • Spring 2025: Provincial approval of Comox Valley Sewer Service LWMP.

Looking for more information?

Please click the link below to speak with a member of our project team or a public advisory committee representative.

Contact Us