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VICTORIA – The Province has released an independent report on integrated resource management that examines approaches for local governments across British Columbia to use solid and liquid waste to create energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve water, and recover nutrients.
“As we work to take action on climate change and build greener communities here in B.C., we need to look at innovative approaches to municipal infrastructure,” said Ida Chong, Minister of Community Services. “Local governments are embracing new ways to manage water and waste systems more effectively, and this study provides some ideas and options they may consider.”
Resources from Waste: Integrated Resource Management Study is composed of the report by a study team, the comments of a technical advisory committee and comments of four peer reviewers. The 161 page report shows that there is broad agreement about the usefulness of the integrated resource management concept, but there are considerable differences of opinion about how to best apply the concept and about potential costs and revenues.
A portion of the study uses the Capital Regional District (CRD) as a case example to illustrate potential opportunities for future municipal waste management in Greater Victoria. The CRD is currently working on its wastewater treatment business plan and will determine how to best incorporate integrated resource management concepts into their region.
“The concept of integrated resource management – getting value from waste – is something we encourage all local governments to explore further, to see if it could work for them,” said Chong. “Though a portion of the report uses the CRD as a case study, it is not meant to be a blueprint for any single system in B.C.”
Across B.C. there are several examples of small scale sustainability systems that work to reuse waste for community benefit. They include Victoria’s Dockside Green neighbourhood and district heating systems located at False Creek, North Vancouver and Revelstoke. Oliver and Vernon are examples of local governments that use treated wastewater for irrigation.
This research is part of government’s ongoing work to provide information to communities about developing more sustainable and affordable infrastructure systems. To support more local governments in implementing emerging technologies on a larger, more integrated scale, the Province will review existing regulations to ensure sustainability concepts are supported, not discouraged by regulatory processes. It will also work now to develop a guide on integrated resource management for all local governments interested in the concepts of recovering resources from municipal waste.
The study is available online: www.cserv.gov.bc.ca/ministry/whatsnew/IRM.htm
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Ministry of Community Services 250 387-4089 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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