News - Sewage

Wait, wait wait....and they let people swim this summer?! This was the whole reason people were allowed to swim I thought. And it wasn't up to code? Nasty.

Halifax refuses keys to new sewage treatment plants
Last Updated: Wednesday, November 19, 2008 | 12:08 PM AT
CBC News

Halifax is refusing to take ownership of two new sewage treatment plants or pay the builder until "substantive" problems are fixed, Mayor Peter Kelly says.

The Halifax and Dartmouth plants are key to the Halifax Regional Municipality's $330-million harbour cleanup project. A third plant in Herring Cove is scheduled to open in spring 2009.

The plants are currently in the hands of the builder, D&D Water Solutions, a partnership between Bedford-based Dexter Construction Co. Ltd. and Degremont.

Kelly said the municipality wants to be assured the plants are problem-free before taking ownership.

"There is not a permanent solution yet," Kelly told CBC News on Tuesday.

The plant in Halifax, which was officially opened in February, has a number of deficiencies that have existed for months and have still not been fixed, according to a staff report prepared for council in August.

The report highlights a number of concerns, from odour problems to mechanical malfunctions that saw foam spewing up from underground pipes.

People in the area have complained repeatedly about bad smells coming from the plant on Lower Water Street.

The plant in Dartmouth is still in the testing phase.

Kelly said the municipality had been asked to take over the sewage treatment plants but refused this fall.

"Until these substantive issues are addressed, we're not taking ownership," he said.

Ownership of the plants was expected to be transferred shortly after the official opening in Halifax.

D&D Water Solutions is refusing to talk about the matter with CBC News. The company's contract with the municipality is about $140 million.

Advice- write to me.

Busy this week, the advice column is just shortened to: if you've been thinking of writing a letter for advice: do it. Ian_Mullan@hotmail.com

Favorite things - Fail Blog

Curse you Kat for introducing it to me.

Dance Party - Mylene Farmer

Mylene Farmer was introduced to me by my friend Adam touting her as France's Madonna. Her episodic music videos are beyond description--think Michael Jackson 'Thriller'. 'Desenchantee' tells the story of a tarted up coal-miner (Mylene) who acts as Oliver Twist figure to a group of working poor (like me!). Actually it's exactly like Oliver Twist only more bleak, more children smoking and more machine guns. Dicken's wishes he wrote it this kick-ass, and I wish working poor was this sexy.

Events - Parade of Lights

As stated yesterday I am getting excited for the holiday season. I've bought my candy canes, I have my apple cider and the Christmas decorations are itching to go out. It's the only thing that makes winter awesome.
Tomorrow is a stepping stone to the big stepping stone that is Christmas. So sort of like a mini-stepping stone. A lilly-pad? Yes a Christmas lillypad. I am of course talking about: the parade of lights!
It starts at 6pm and will be going down Barrington and right onto Spring Garden. There is also a "warm-up on the waterfront" which seems counter-intuitive since the waterfront in my mind is the coldest place on earth but they will have hot-chocolate and entertainment starting at 4pm.
You should come!

Story Time - Christmas!

Am I the only one excited?

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3