The mayor of Mission is raising concerns about a possible environmental disaster if an aging sewage pipe isn’t replaced.
The 36-year-old, 60-centimetre pressurized pipe runs under the Fraser River bed from Mission to the JAMES treatment plant in Abbotsford, transporting all of the city’s residential and industrial sewage.
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Mayor Pam Alexis says it’s just a matter of time before there’s a breach. Because the pipe is pressurized, crews are unable to run a camera through it to inspect its condition.
“The damage that would be done environmentally and the actions we’d have to take if there was a breach would far outreach the investment that we need on twinning this pipe in the first place,” said Alexis.
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“Eleven million litres of raw sewage and industrial waste will be emptied into the Fraser River every single day until it’s contained.”
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Conservationists say the threat is real.
Wildlife in the river is already threatened by industrial activity, warming waters and commercial development.
“If we were to suddenly see a sewage spill that’s prolonged, any kind of increase in suspended solids causes more stress on these fish,” said conservation adviser Craig Orr.
Alexis wants to see a second 75-centimetre pipe built. That would allow crews to empty and inspect the existing pipe before switching it to backup use.
But replacing the pipe would cost an estimated $22 million, something tough to afford with Mission’s tax base of just 40,000 residents.
Mission is now seeking federal and provincial funding to help fund the project.
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