Dear editor,
The controversy surrounding the proposed Croteau Road pump station continues. I have a suggestion.
The community also continues to consider a 29th Street bridge crossing and possibly a McDonald Road connection. I propose these two issues could be related. It may be advantageous to locate one central pump station at 29th Street on Dike Road which could possibly replace the other three pump stations.
The majority of wastewater from Courtenay flows by gravity to the pump station located adjacent to the old Fields Sawmill site. If that pump station was removed the flow may be able to reach 29th Street without additional pumping.
The wastewater from Comox collects at the Jane Place pump station. There is already a pipe in place leading back to 29th Street on Dike Road. There may be adequate pressure for the waste water to flow back to 29th by itself. A master pump station could be located at 29th Street and a pressure line could be installed up a new McDonald Road connector. It could then flow by gravity down Guthrie to the treatment plant. This may be simpler than the proposed route through Comox.
The flow from west Courtenay passes under the river at 20th Street. At some point this pipe may need to be upsized. If an additional pipe is installed on a proposed 29th Street causeway it may negate the need to upsize the 20th Street crossing. It would also expand capacity in west Courtenay and extend the coverage south of Courtenay.
The waste water system is complicated and there are many factors to consider. However this concept may be worth further exploration.
Ian Farquharson PEng.
Courtenay