CUMBERLAND, B.C -There is a light at the end of the tunnel as the Village of Cumberland moves forward in addressing waste water non-compliances.
Cumberland has been out of compliance with numerous aspects of their wastewater management for many years, but it wasn’t until this year that the Provincial Ministry of Environment put pressure on the Village to find a solution.
Village council voted last night to implement “Option 1; Phase 2”, where the existing lagoon will be upgraded and discharged to the North Wetland. The mayor of Cumberland, Leslie Baird, said it was always the first choice for council.
“We’ve always chosen the lagoon because of the present lagoon system that we have, it cuts the cost down from the mechanical component system, and we want to make it as cost effective as possible for the residents.”
The plan will cost the city of Cumberland $9.2 million. Council also voted in favour of pursuing funding for the entire project.
“Mr.Nash (Paul Nash, the projects coordinator) , our consultant will be applying for funding to see if we can meet the guidelines of the proposal we put in and hopefully we will receive funding.” said Baird.
The mayor added that the village has been striving to be as environmentally friendly as possible during this process.
“There’s going to be very little disturbance to the environment. We’re very concerned about Maple Lake Creek.”
According to Baird,t his decision is a step forward for the village of Cumberland.
“It means that we will be in compliance with the Ministry of Environment provincially and federally, and that we have been waiting for many years to be in compliance, so it will be a relief when it’s done and it will be an amazing liquid waste management plan.”
The next council meeting will be held on April 23rd at 5:30 at the Cumberland Village Council Chambers.
