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Mass truck breakdown delays CVRD curbside collection

Three trucks sidelined
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CVRD delays curbside pick up on a number of routes as three of its trucks are experiencing mechanical difficulties. (File photo)

The curbside pick up of garbage and recycling materials on a number of routes in the Cowichan Valley Regional District has been postponed due to the high rate of mechanical failure in some of the district’s curbside collection trucks.

Doug Stevens, the CVRD’s manager of solid waste operations, said that on May 30, one of the trucks experienced a full engine failure and fire, which resulted in the truck being taken off the road as the engine is being rebuilt.

He said that on June 8, a second truck experienced a leaf spring failure that will keep it out of operation until sometime this week, and June 10, the CVRD’s third collection truck experienced a significant hydraulic line failure.

RELATED STORY: CVRD LOOKS FOR PUBLIC INPUT ON DOING MORE WASTE COLLECTION IN ELECTORAL AREAS

“These are old trucks that are already two years beyond their life cycle,” Stevens said.

“These trucks only have a life span of six to seven years, and these trucks are now in their ninth year. It has been approved in our budget to buy two new collection trucks this year, but it will take between 18 to 22 months before they are delivered and that’s a long wait. So, in the meantime, we have to work with what we have. We’re putting a new engine in one truck and are doing some extensive repairs on the two others.”

Stevens said the CVRD understands that this is frustrating for many residents and the district is working very hard to get its trucks back on the road.

“In the meantime, we must delay or cancel some of the scheduled collections,” he said.

RELATED STORY: CVRD REPORTS CONTAMINATION IN RECYCLABLES WELL ABOVE ACCEPTABLE LEVELS

Stevens said curbside collection on June 8, which was originally rescheduled for June 11, will be collected on the next regular collection day on June 22.

He said pick up on June 10 was cancelled and the next pick up for this route will occur on June 17 when the CVRD will pick up both garbage and recycling.

The pickup scheduled for June 13 was cancelled, and the next pickup for this route will occur on the next regular collection day on June 27.

“Please hang onto your material until the rescheduled collection day, when we will accept extra material in a clearly marked container,” Stevens said.

“If you cannot wait for your next collection day, please bring your material to a recycling centre.”



robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com

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