Ingonish sewage system will help with growing residential development in Victoria County

Construction has officially begun on a state-of-the-art sewage treatment system for a community in northern Cape Breton, and it is already sparking interest in further residential development in the area. The project, which comes with a price tag of $15 million, is a joint initiative between Victoria County and the province of Nova Scotia.

The sewage treatment plant will be situated on land owned by Cape Smokey Holdings, the company behind the development of 74 condominium units at the base of its ski hill. According to Leanne MacEachen, the Chief Administrative Officer of Victoria County, the construction of the treatment plant is crucial to support the anticipated growth in both residential and tourist sectors in the region.

“The development at Cape Smokey is just the beginning. We have already identified at least three other potential areas where development could take place, all thanks to the implementation of the sewage system,” MacEachen stated. The exact service area of the system will be determined once the tenders are finalized to prevent any cost overruns.

The system will originate at Ski Cape Smokey and extend northwards through the community, catering to the growing needs of the residents and visitors. While initially, there was interest from Parks Canada and Keltic Lodge to connect to the system, they have opted out of contributing financially to the project at this time.

Last year, Victoria County was prepared to cover the entire cost of the project but received a pleasant surprise when the province agreed to fund half of it. “Receiving $7.5 million from the province was fantastic news for us. It significantly reduced Victoria County’s capital contribution, allowing us to move forward with the project without burdening taxpayers,” MacEachen explained.

The county is utilizing reserve funds to cover its portion of the project cost, ensuring that there will be no direct impact on taxpayers. Landowners who opt to connect to the system will only be responsible for covering the operating costs, making the infrastructure more accessible and affordable for residents.

The idea for the sewer system was first proposed nearly two years ago when Victoria County council was considering a new local improvement bylaw that would have shifted the responsibility of funding infrastructure projects to the community residents. However, after facing significant opposition from residents who preferred the county to cover the capital costs, the council decided to honor their wishes by moving forward with the new sewage system.

The construction of the sewage treatment system marks a significant milestone for the community, setting the stage for future growth and development in the region. As the project progresses, it is expected to attract more investors and residents looking to capitalize on the improved infrastructure and amenities offered by the new system.