The municipality of Summerland is adjusting its sewer budget five-year capital plan after the cost of a project at the sewer treatment plant is expected to cost significantly more than budgeted.

At a special meeting of council on Jan. 27, council was told that the cost of a primary clarifier upgrade project has almost doubled.

The budgeted cost of this project had been $2,812,760, but when the project was put out to tender, the bids came back significantly higher than this amount. The new cost is $5,143,250. This increases the total bill by $2,330,490.

The primary clarifier will be the second such unit for the sewer treatment plant. The existing primary clarifier, constructed when the sewer treatment plant was built in the late 1990s, is reaching the end of its life. Jeremy Storvold, manager of works and utilities for the municipality, said the existing unit does not follow current best practices and has some inherent flaws.

Because of the increased costs, the municipality is adjusting its sewer capital budget. 

Several projects will be deferred until 2026 and 2027. 

The municipality will also allocate $1.6 million from the Sewer Development Cost Charges Reserve and $730,490 from the Sewer Capital Reserves. 

The budgeted cost of the Connecting Communities Sewer Expansion Project will be reduced by $300,000, with that amount going back into the Growing Communities Reserve.

In addition, $205,000 from the Sewer Utility Surplus Account and $300,000 from the Growing Communities Reserve will be used if needed to fund any necessary contingency items for the project. 

Members of council expressed concern about the increased cost of this project. 

Coun. Doug Patan said the information should have been brought forward at the time of the budget, which was presented to the public in January.

However, Storvold said the information was not known at the time.

Coun. Adrienne Betts also said the information could have affected the budget. 香蕉视频直播淲e weren香蕉视频直播檛 able to make adjustments in the budget accordingly,香蕉视频直播� she said.

Graham Statt, chief administrative officer for Summerland, suggested detail design work should be done before project of this size go to tender in the future.

Coun. Erin Trainer said it is council香蕉视频直播檚 responsibility to proceed properly on the sewer treatment plant work. She said she was in support of the project.

Coun. Richard Barkwill said he did not see other choices, since the work protects water.

The resolution to adjust the sewer capital plan to accommodate the project was approved with Patan and Coun. Marty Van Alphen opposed.