Comox Valley staff recommend independent review of sewage leak

Staff at the Comox Valley Regional District on Vancouver Island have recommended hiring an independent engineer to review a major sewage spill that happened in May. The leak released up to 6,000 cubic metres of untreated sewage into Comox Harbour after a temporary bypass pipe failed at a pump station that was under construction. Residents were told to avoid the water and, for part of the day, not to flush toilets or use water. According to a staff report, the proposed review would cost as much as $75,000 and could help identify improvements in infrastructure, construction oversight, operating procedures and emergency planning. The district’s sewage commission is scheduled to vote on the recommendation on Tuesday, and the final report could be presented in early 2027.