The order came Friday, a few days after an independent scientific report commissioned by the area's municipalities concluded dumping raw sewage into the ocean is no longer a long-term option.

Provincial Environment Minister Barry Penner said he directed the Capital Regional District to provide the provincial government with a fixed timetable for sewage treatment.

"It's now time to stop talking about whether they need to treat sewage but more along the lines of how they are going to do it and I look forward to receiving their plan," Penner said.

Victoria has drawn national and international criticism for allowing 34 million gallons of sewage to flow untreated into the ocean every day.

Penner said the Victoria area can no longer rely on water dilution and ocean currents as a method of sewage treatment.

The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry report concluded historic and projected population growth in the Victoria area makes natural dilution unsustainable, Penner said.

The government is directing Victoria's regional district to submit for approval an amended waste management plan, including a schedule for sewage treatment.

It also wants a progress report by Dec. 31 that includes options, costs and locations.

Penner's order did not say if the province would contribute financially to new treatment facilities, suggesting instead alternative financial models and the possibility of private involvement.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said the Canadian federal government was willing to pay some of Victoria's sewage costs during the last election, but there has been no confirmation of how much money the federal government would contribute to a project some estimate will cost about $500 million.

Last March, federal Environment Minister Rona Ambrose said municipalities that dump raw sewage in the ocean are placing public health at risk.

But Vancouver Island's chief medical health officer said last November that a secondary treatment plant for raw sewage would not produce a measurable benefit to the health of Victoria area residents.

Dr. Richard Stanwick said the money could be better used for other city projects.

He said the health risk from the sewage was negligible.

Victoria Mayor Alan Lowe could not be reached for immediate comment.

Lowe, who is the regional district board chairman, said following the July 12 release of the scientific report that the sewage treatment issue needs more study.