Biosolid Expansion and Upgrade

Written by Peter McIntyre Tuesday, 11 August 2009 05:22 107.5 KISSFM

Vernon council has given the go ahead for an upgrade and expansion of the biosolids composting facility on Commonage Road.

Councillor Patrick Nicol supported the upgrade, but not the expansion, concerned about the impact of the odour on nearby residents.Nicol tells KISS FM, "There hasn't even been a whole summer of testing (for the odour) and there was no urgency that they want to go out and buy this stuff right now. I thik it will just create further friction (with the residents) when some of it was beginning to lessen somewhat."

Councillor Mary Jo O'Keefe disagrees with suggestions the city is rushing ahead with the expansion. She says, "From all reports from staff, that expansion and upgrade of the facility should further reduce our odour issues and should better serve our citizens."Despite approving the expansion, council did not support adding the Central Okanagan Regional District to the partnership with Kelowna.Under the agreement for the $6.6 million dollar project, 70 percent of the funds will come from the city of Kelowna, and 30 percent from Vernon, based on the amount of 'product'.The facility converts human waste into a marketable compost product called Ogogrow.

Peter McIntyre Tuesday, 11 August 2009 05:22 107.5 KISSFM:

Vernon council has given the go ahead for an upgrade and expansion of the biosolids composting facility on Commonage Road. Councillor Patrick Nicol supported the upgrade but not the expansion, concerned about the impact of the odour on nearby residents. Nicol says there hasn't even been a full summer of testing, and feels it'll just create more friction. He says there was no urgency to the move. Despite approving the expansion, council did not support adding the Central Okanagan Regional District to the partnership with Kelowna. The facility converts human waste into a sellable compost product.