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Sewer referendum a go

The Comox Valley Regional District board has approved a June referendum for the south sewer project.

A referendum for the south sewer project will be held June 18, as approved by the regional district board.

The multi-phase project includes construction of a new centralized wastewater (sewer) collection system and water resource recovery facility that will serve residents in Royston and Union Bay including Kilmarnock. Collected wastewater would be treated and piped to connect with the Comox Valley water pollution control centre’s outfall at Cape Lazo.

Phase 1 of the project — which includes 950 homes — is estimated to cost $56.2 million (in 2019 dollars). The project is on track to secure about $35 million in grant funding.

Remaining costs will come from a parcel tax over 30 years, estimated at $1,804 per year per parcel. The maximum requisition being presented in the referendum is $2,036 per year per parcel.

Planning continues on details including locations of pump stations and the wastewater treatment plant. These decisions are expected at the end of May.

Updates will be provided in newsletters and community information sessions in May and June.

If the referendum is successful and funding sources are secured, the procurement process would start this fall. Construction would likely begin in the fall of 2018 and take about 18 months to complete. While property owners would have two years to connect to the system, billing would start in 2017.

Regular polls will be open Saturday, June 18 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. at Royston Elementary School and the Union Bay Community Church Hall.

Advance polls will be held Wednesday, June 8 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. at the CVRD boardroom at 550B Comox Rd. in Courtenay.

For more information visit www.comoxvalleyrd.ca/vote