— from Rep. Jeff Morris —
This year has…seen the resolution of a problem that has affected our shores for decades. Victoria, BC does not have full sewage treatment for their city and most waste is dumped into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, where it has affected the San Juan Islands on more than one occasion.
I have been leading the charge to get Victoria to build a full wastewater treatment plant, and this year, they have officially signed a contract and secured the funding to build a modern facility. We have been working on this issue since before my first election.
Last year, negotiations stalled and it was unclear that they were willing to move forward on construction. To show Washington’s commitment to clean waters, I proposed an official travel ban to the city as a way to spur action by the City of Victoria.
As of the end of March, Mayor Lisa Helps approved the construction of this infrastructure and I anticipate the inauguration of this system in 2020.
This is huge! Thanks so much for staying with it Jeff. We owe you a great debt of gratitude.
Thank you! It’s hard to believe that such a lovely city has waited this long to enter the modern era. Better late than never.
Thank goodness. I couldn’t believe how long it took them to come around. Canadians are usually such upstanding, decent folk. I know … I gave birth to a couple!