One of the most-asked questions in north Oak Bay these days still doesn’t have an answer.

Are two pieces of the University of Victoria campus actually available for the Capital Regional District’s planned sewage treatment system?

“There hasn’t been a lot of discussion,” said UVic planning director Neil Connelly.

Three weeks ago, the CRD announced two UVic sites – one off McKenzie Avenue, the other near the corner of Cedar Hill X Road and Crestview Road in Oak Bay – were being considered as locations for a secondary sewage treatment plant.

A CRD-owned section of Haro Woods at Finnerty and Arbutus roads is a third candidate in the area.

Connelly said UVic has long-term plans in place for both of its sites. “Certainly, the university has a limited land base compared to many universities. And a good portion of the land is committed or protected for natural areas, like Mystic Vale.”

While the university wants to be “a good neighbour” and is willing to discuss the options with the CRD, Connelly stressed that the university’s first priority will always be to fulfill its educational mission.

CRD liquid waste management committee chair Judy Brownoff said there is no need to get a final “yes” or “no” on the UVic sites right now.

“Although some people think there should be something carved in stone, some agreement, that’s not how this type of process works,” she said. “We have talked to them, they haven’t taken them off the table.”

While a report on public consultation on the Saanich East/North Oak Bay options will come to the sewage committee July 22, Brownoff said there is no need to make a final decision on sites until a business plan is filed with the province.

The deadline for that filing is Dec. 31.

The CRD has scheduled two community workshops, July 7 at Emmanuel Baptist Church on Cedar Hill X Road, and July 9 at the Queenswood Centre on Arbutus Road, to discuss the siting options.

Registration is required and information is available from the CRD’s website, www.wastewatermadeclear.ca.

At the first session, held last week, a number of participants suggested that another piece of the UVic campus – a parking lot by the McKinnon gym – would make a better option.

However, Connelly said a new athletic facility will soon be developed on the site.

kvass@vicnews.com