Wastewater Planning

The District of Sooke (the District) is undertaking a process to establish a new sewer service for the Whiffin Spit and Kaltasin Areas. Improving this area’s underground services has been identified by the District’s Liquid Waste Management Plan since 2010 to help protect our community’s natural environment and assist property owners with a sustainable wastewater management solution.

Earlier this year, the District began a process to review opportunities for extending Sooke’s sewer system to areas of Whiffin Spit and Kaltasin currently operating on septic systems. This process is being pursued on the behalf of Sooke residents for the following reasons:

• To reduce potential environmental impacts of failing septic systems on the Sooke Basin and Sooke River.
  • The wastewater treatment system removes over 95% of the total suspended solids and high levels of other contaminants.
  • The treated effluent is discharged via a 1.7km long, 30 m deep marine outfall to the Juan de Fuca Strait.
• To support continued efforts to improve the environmental quality of the harbour, recognizing this significance to both the T’Sou-ke First Nation, whose heritage is derived from a land of natural abundance, and District residents.
• To provide area property owners with a sustainable wastewater management system.

The project team is in the process of pursuing grant funding in coordination with the T’Sou-ke First Nation from senior governments to support the proposed sewer expansion for the Whiffin Spit and Kaltasin areas. The proposed grant application has the potential to cover between 60% - 73% of the total project costs up to a project cost of $16 million.

Even with grant funding, borrowing will still be required to meet the remaining costs of the project. If a grant is secured, the remaining 27% - 40% of the project costs would be borrowed then recovered from existing and future property owners in the newly serviced area. If no grant money is received, the project costs (approx. $16 million) would have to be funded entirely by property owners in the newly serviced area. If there were to be an enlargement to the system to support future additional development this would be paid for by developers through development cost charges (DCCs).

As we prepare for the upcoming grant application and do our best to maximize funding opportunities, we need to hear from affected property owners.

Please take a moment to complete the neighbourhood-specific survey for the area where you reside.

Keep in mind:

• This is the first time the District has proposed the sewer expansion project to property owners and there will be further engagement as this initiative progresses, including Q & A sessions planned through 2022 (details to follow).
• Property owner survey responses are required by January 10th, 2022, to meet the upcoming grant application deadline.
• We request that residents provide any additional questions to the District in writing through the survey, by email to wwplanning@sooke.ca or through this portal in advance of the Q & A sessions in 2022. The District will not be facilitating individual discussions at this time.
• By providing input through this survey, the District can better understand the position of current property owners and work to respond appropriately, e.g., prioritization of District infrastructure projects.