City denies bid for new biosolids at plant

Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 13, 2009 7:00 PM

Vernon politicians will not permit additional biosolids to be dumped at a composting facility until concerns about odours have been rectified. The biosolids committee will consider a request today that the Central Okanagan Regional District pay tipping fees so sewer waste from West Kelowna can be delivered there. However, Vernon council voted unanimously Tuesday not to support the proposal. “It’s premature and we shouldn’t even be considering this until the plant is commissioned and been operating for six months,” said Coun. Bob Spiers, a member of the committee. The plant takes waste from sewer treatment facilities in Kelowna and Vernon — which both own the Commonage site — and turns it into Ogogrow fertilizer.

In August, Vernon and Kelowna agreed to launch an upgrade and expansion. That was a direct response to residents from nearby Kekuli Bay Estates complaining about foul odours.“The new plant, when it’s commissioned in February, will address odour concerns,” said Spiers, adding that the facility could eventually take West Kelowna’s waste but now is not the time.

Beyond Spiers, opposition to CORD’s request to pay tipping fees came from the rest of council.“The odour issues are escalating again and we need to get the system working,” said Coun. Buffy Baumbrough. “We need to get this system working well before we introduce new product,” added Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe.

CORD previously attempted to become a full partner in the biosolids function but Vernon council vetoed that move in August. Also on Tuesday, Vernon council directed staff to investigate the possibility of gas generated by the composting of biosolids being used for producing energy.“It could fuel the machinery that works up there,” said Baumbrough, adding that Quesnel has developed a business plan on using bio-gas there.“Within five years, they expect Quesnel to be earning $1.5 million from bio-gas. Instead of looking at it as a waste product, we’d get something else out of it.”