The estimates for construction and operation of secondary sewage treatment plants in the CRD - an initial capital outlay of also about $1.2 billion (split 1/3 each among federal, provincial and CRD governments) with the present value of the lifetime operating cost of about $1.2 billion - is a lot of money. So we need to be clear as to whether this project makes sense or not.

 

CRD property owners will pay their 1/3 share of capital costs, and all of operating costs.  And the best estimate seems to suggest an increase of about $500 per household per year for 50 years in real terms (and probably in perpetuity given the need for replacement), or about 20% increase in annual property taxes.