Canada's rainiest city, Prince Rupert, is grappling with significant financial and environmental hurdles due to its aging infrastructure. The city, which has been permitted to release untreated sewage into Prince Rupert Harbour since 1980, is now facing penalties for failing to manage its waste systems effectively. The Ministry of Environment and Parks has fined the city over $165,000 for inadequacies in handling two landfills and for leaking raw sewage into local waterways. With an infrastructure deficit exceeding $500 million, Prince Rupert is under pressure to address these issues in light of an expected 15% increase in rainfall due to climate change.
The city's sewage system has been leaking thousands of liters of raw sewage into Prince Rupert Harbour, as well as Hays and Morse creeks. These creeks are home to multiple fish species, raising environmental concerns. Kelly Mills from the Ministry highlighted the severity of the situation, stating:
"Some of the discharges of raw sewage were to the shoreline or near shore in Prince Rupert Harbour as a result of outfall failures."
Richard Pucci, a city official, expressed frustration over the challenges posed by relentless rainfall and outdated infrastructure:
"I don't think we could imagine how much weather and precipitation we would be getting in the last couple of years."
"Non-stop rain for days and days. It is a change from what it was a few years ago."
Prince Rupert's infrastructure requires up to $375 million in upgrades by 2030. The operational landfill has been issued a $121,000 penalty, while the decommissioned Wantage Road landfill faced a $26,000 fine. The penalties highlight the city's struggle to maintain its sewage systems, which have been in a state of disrepair for nearly two years. Pucci further elaborated on the ongoing issues:
"Like all other city infrastructure, the sewer and drainage system operates in a semi-failure state with multiple breaks per week."
Compounding these challenges are legislative barriers that restrict the city's ability to generate revenue. Pucci voiced his concerns regarding these constraints:
"These legislative barriers don’t help. We’re missing out on millions of dollars. It’s coming off the backs of our taxpayers."
The city's landfill lacks a lining barrier and an appropriate system for capturing concentrated liquid waste, exacerbating environmental risks. This situation is not unique to Prince Rupert, as Metro Vancouver also faces substantial cost overruns while attempting to comply with new federal mandates.
In response to these challenges, Prince Rupert is exploring innovative solutions. The city plans to expand a pilot project aimed at filtering sewage through wetland soils and vegetation. This approach could offer a sustainable means of addressing the environmental impact of untreated sewage discharges.
The impending increase in rainfall due to climate change poses a further threat to Prince Rupert's already strained infrastructure. The city must navigate these complex issues while balancing financial constraints and regulatory requirements.
