The Capital Regional District is poised to sign off on its plans for a sewage treatment system hoping changes can still be made after a Dec. 31 deadline.

Despite the deadline, which is when draft system plans are due to both the province and Ottawa, politicians on the CRD’s sewage committee say what they approved Wednesday can be changed later.

“I think there’s some concern that this is it (but) it’s a work in progress,” said chair Judy Brownoff after the committee sent two key documents detailing a three-plant, $967.5-million plan to the CRD board for approval when it meets in December.

The plans, contained in a funding application to Ottawa and a submission to B.C.’s environment minister, specify liquid waste processing facilities in Saanich’s Haro Woods and Esquimalt’s McLoughlin Point, and a biosolids plant at Hartland landfill.

A separate submission will be made in January for a plant in the West Shore. Colwood has identified land near its city hall.

Most politicians around the table said they would rather see those facilities built elsewhere. The motion asked staff to continue evaluating alternative sites at the University of Victoria and in Victoria’s industrial upper harbour.

Esquimalt Mayor Barb Desjardins, who voted with Saanich Coun. Vic Derman against approving the plans, said she couldn’t support moving forward without knowing whether a later amendment would be acceptable.

“My discomfort is going forward with something that says this is the site without a written assurance from other levels of government ... that this will not be held as hard and fast,” she said.

B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner said he was pleased the committee moved the plans forward and hopes the full board will approve and submit the liquid waste management plan amendment before Dec. 24.

Penner said there is a possibility the ministry will consider later changes to where the plants are located.

“Site selection is never an easy task and I fully understand that. We want to work with the CRD to make sure there is a successful outcome.”

The committee unanimously passed a motion from Victoria Coun. Philippe Lucas eliminating land application of sewage sludge. The dried sludge will have its methane gas recovered for sale before the dried product is sold as fuel, or burned in a ‘waste-to-energy’ plant at Hartland.

kvass@vicnews.com