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[email protected] COWICHAN VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT MARINE DISCHARGE OUTFALL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY STAGE 1 FINAL – REV 0 Attention: Cowichan Valley Regional District 175 Ingram Street Duncan, BC V9L 1N8 June 25, 2015 1019-001 REV 0 Cowichan Valley Regional District Marine Discharge Outfall - EIS Executive Summary The Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) is undertaking the development of Amendment 3 to the existing Central Sector Liquid Waste Management Plan (CSLWMP). The Central Sector is serviced by the Joint Utilities Board (JUB) Lagoon Systems co-owned by the City of Duncan and the Municipality of North Cowichan, and also provides service to properties within parts of CVRD Electoral Areas D and E and parts of Cowichan Tribes reserve. The Joint Utilities Board (JUB) sewage treatment lagoons are located adjacent to the Cowichan River. The aerated lagoon treatment system produces secondary quality effluent, which is disinfected by chlorination, then dechlorinated. Treated wastewater is discharged into the lower reaches of the Cowichan River and subsequently to the Cowichan Estuary and ocean environment. In recent years, low flows in the Cowichan River have resulted in a situation where there is insufficient dilution of the effluent plume with respect to the river flow. This resulted in the temporary closure of the Cowichan River to recreational activities in August of 2014. It is proposed that the point of discharge be moved from the Cowichan River to the marine environment of Satellite Channel, where significantly more dilution can be achieved and where the likelihood of interaction between the effluent plume and sensitive areas can be reduced.