Dawson City sewage plant a no-go this year

A new sewage treatment plant in Dawson City, Yukon, will not be ready for operation this year, meaning the latest court-ordered deadline for completion will be extended.

It has been almost eight years since Dawson City was convicted for dumping raw sewage into the Yukon River and ordered to build a proper treatment plant.

A $25-million state-of-the-art plant is now in final stages of construction, but it won't be operational by the 2011 year-end deadline imposed in court.

Catherine Harwood, who manages the project for the Yukon government, said the focus is on constructing a facility that is right for the community.

"The intention for this project is to have a durable, high-quality product in the end that is low cost to maintain and lasts a long time, so sticking to a very firm deadline does not seem to be a high priority for the court or Crown counsel," she said.

In court earlier this month, Crown counsel suggested the deadline be extended another 12 months. But Harwood says the plant will be ready to go in time for next summer's tourist season.

"Just over $25 million is the new contract total and the plant will be operating by spring of 2012," Harwood said.

Court was told last year's long winter is to blame for construction delays on the project.

Judge Heino Lilles is expected to impose a new deadline for completion at a hearing next month.