Victoria sewer dispute hits the fan as Washington state urges B.C. to intervene

VICTORIA – The bubbling dispute over the treatment of Victoria’s sewage has seeped into the international arena, with Washington state’s governor urging B.C. Premier Christy Clark to clean up the mess.

Gov. Jay Inslee’s three-page letter says Washington state has been waiting more than 20 years for the Victoria area to start treating its sewage and the prospect of further delays is no longer acceptable.

The letter says Victoria’s sewage treatment delays impact the health and economies of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Puget Sound.

Last month, British Columbia’s Liberal government refused to force a Victoria-area municipality to accept plans to locate a proposed $780 million treatment facility on the shores of its community.

Officials in Clark’s office say a response is being prepared to Inslee’s letter.

Victoria-area politicians held a moment of silence today for the crippled waste treatment project at a joint sewer-council meeting.

News from © The Canadian Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Canadian Press

The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms.