LaHave River sewage cleanup to proceed with $17M application to replace pipes

A 12-year-old girl and her elementary school science project were given much of the credit on Tuesday as the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg took a major step toward stopping the discharge of raw sewage into the estuary of the LaHave River.

"This is a historic day for council, for the county and for the LaHave River," said Don Downe, the mayor of the municipality.

The rural council voted to apply for $17 million under Infrastructure Canada's Building Canada Fund to replace 600 straight pipes releasing 600,000 litres of raw sewage per day into the lower parts of the LaHave River.

Application ends decades of dithering

A straight pipe system is a sewage disposal system that transports raw or partially settled sewage directly into the water in this case, a major river.

The council's application supported by local, provincial and federal politicians ends decades of dithering on the issue.

Stella Bowles, a 12-year-old girl from Dayspring, was praised for herelementary school science project whichrevived interest and calls for action to clean up the sewage.

'It's overwhelming'

Bowles measured sewage pollution in the river and posted the results on a Facebook page, whichsince last fallhas routinely garnered tens of thousands of visits.

"It's overwhelming. I'm really, really happy," Bowles told CBC News moments after the vote. The youngster was in the council chamber as the vote was held and she was singled out for her efforts.

"Hopefully, my generation will be able to swim in the river, safely."

$12K per homeowner over 6 years

Under the straight pipe replacement program, the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg would operate the system and oversee the installation of each new septic system.

In order to qualify for federal funding, the municipality would own and maintain each system for six years before homeowners would be required to take over.

The cost would be shared between the province, the federal government and homeowners.

Any costs not covered by grants will be paid by the homeowner. The municipality estimates it will cost each homeowner about $12,000.Alex Dumaresq, the deputy CAO for the municipality, said thatwould be repaid through property taxes at approximately $146per month over a six-year period.

The program is expected to run until 2031.

'This is the only option on the table'

If the pipe replacement program is approved, the first installation willstart in the summer of 2017.

On Tuesday, the municipality also pledged to pass a bylaw giving it the authority to inspect homes and enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Nova Scotia Environment Department. The MOU commits the department to pursue enforcement for homeowners who refuse to participate in the program.

"We need to proceed with this today," said Coun. Frank Fawson.

"I understand the concern that the vast majority of homeowners in this municipality pay for their own septic system. But this is the only option on the table. We have to do something."