Effluent leaks should be a thing of the past, thanks to a new two-kilometre long pipe installed in Hammond Bay last week.
The Greater Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre marine outfall was towed into Hammond Bay Friday, the final stage of work that was started in 2014 to replace the an older, failing outflow pipe.
The Regional District of Nanaimo contracted McNally International Inc. to construct and place the marine portion of the outfall, a high-density 137-centimetre-diametre polyethylene pipe that was assembled in Nanoose Bay with the co-operation of the Nanoose First Nation.
Two tugs towed and guided the pipe to its installation point Friday morning and the pipe was sunk to the ocean bottom during the afternoon.
Concrete saddles for the pipe were cast by Nanaimo Precast in South Wellington.
The pollution control centre, located on Hammond Bay Road, treats wastewater for Nanaimo, Snuneymuxw First Nation and parts of the District of Lantzville.
Treated effluent is discharged through a buried outfall that runs from the treatment plant to Morningside Park, and continues for approximately 2km out into the Strait of Georgia along the sea floor.
For more information on the project, please visit www.rdn.bc.ca/gnpcc.