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BYLAW NO. 1511
CONSOLIDATED FOR CONVENIENCE November 2025
OF THE TOWN OF WHITECOURT
IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA
TO PROVIDE FOR THE SUPPLY AND USE OF THE WATER, WASTEWATER, AND STORM
WATER UTILITITES FOR THE TOWN OF WHITECOURT
WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Whitecourt (hereinafter called the "Town") in the Province of Alberta
has authority under the Municipal Government Act, to pass bylaws respecting the safety, health and welfare
of people.
WHEREAS, Council of the Town of Whitecourt has deemed it appropriate to provide for the establishment
and operation of certain public Utility Services, including provision for the terms and conditions under which
such utilities will be provided.
NOW THEREFORE, under the authority and subject to the provisions of the Municipal Government Act, being
Chapter M-26.1 of the Statutes of Alberta, 2000, and amendments thereto, the Municipal Council of the Town
of Whitecourt, in the Province of Alberta, duly assembled, hereby enacts as follows:
PART 1 - TITLE AND DEFINITIONS
1.
SHORT TITLE AND ESTABLISHMENT OF UTILITIES
1.1
This Bylaw shall be called "The Utility Bylaw".
1.2
The Town of Whitecourt hereby establishes the following municipal utilities: Water, Wastewater, and
Storm Water.
2.
DEFINITIONS
2.1
"Backflow Preventer", also referred to as a cross connection control device, means a device that
prevents flow of water or other liquids, mixtures, or substances into the drinking water system from any
source or sources other than the intended source.
2.2
"Backflow Valve" means a device to prevent flow reversal in a storm water or wastewater sewer
connection.
2.3
"Biological Waste" means waste which contains or may contain:
a.
pathogenic agents that cannot be effectively mitigated by wastewater treatment; and
b.
experimental biological matter that may be hazardous to human health or detrimental to
the environment.
2.4
"Biomedical Waste" means:
a.
any human anatomical waste, animal waste, untreated microbiological waste, waste
Sharps and untreated human blood and body fluids known to contain viruses and agents
listed in "Risk Group 4" as defined in "Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines" published by
Health Canada, Edition 3, 2004, as amended; or
b.
waste that contains or may contain pathogenic agents that may cause disease in humans
exposed to the waste.
2.5
"BOD or Biochemical Oxygen Demand" means the five-day BOD which is the determination of the
molecular oxygen utilized during a five-day incubation period for the biochemical degradation of organic
material (carbonaceous demand), and the oxygen used to oxidize inorganic material such as sulphides
and ferrous iron, and the amount of oxygen used to oxidize reduced forms of nitrogen (nitrogenous
demand) as determined by the appropriate procedure in Standard Methods.
2.6
"Building Code" means the building code declared in force pursuant to the Alberta Building Code
Regulation, AR 31/2015, as amended.
2.7
"Cistern" is a tank for storing water.
2.8
"Connection Town Service" means that portion of a pipe used or intended to be used for the supply of
water which extends from the water main to the service valve which typically is located at the property
line or near.
2.9
"Connection Town Sewer" means that part of the wastewater or storm water sewer pipe located within
the limits of the Town's road allowance, lands, right of ways, or easements and is connected to the
private sewer system at the property line.
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2.10 "Cleanout" means a pipe fitting that has a removable cap or plug and is so constructed that it will permit
access to a sewer pipe for the purpose of cleaning.
2.11 "Combined Service" means the Town service connection used or intended to be used to supply water
for fire protection as well as water for purposes other than fire protection.
2.12 "Combustible Waste" means a substance that is able to catch fire and burn easily.
2.13 "Composite Sample" means a volume of wastewater, storm water, uncontaminated water, clear water
or effluent made up of three or more grab samples that have been combined automatically or manually
and taken at intervals during the sampling periods.
2.14 "Cooling Water" means water that is used in a process for the purpose of removing heat and that has
not, by design, come into contact with raw material.
2.15 "Cross Connection" means an existing connection or a potential connection between any part of a
drinking water system, wastewater, storm water and any other environment containing other substances
in a manner, which, under any circumstances, would allow such substance to enter the drinking water
system.
2.16 "Dangerous Goods" has the meaning set out in the Dangerous Goods Transportation and Handling Act,
RSA 2000, Ch. D-4 as amended, and the regulations thereunder.
2.17 "Deleterious" means:
a.
any substance that, if added to any water, would degrade or alter or form part of a process
of degradation or alteration of the quality of that water so that it is rendered or is likely to
be rendered deleterious to fish or fish habitat or unsuitable for the purposes intended;
b.
any water that contains a substance in such quantity or concentration, or that has been so
treated, processed or changed, by heat or other means, from a natural state that it would,
if added to any other water, degrade or alter or form part of a process of degradation or
alteration of the quality of the water so that it is rendered or is likely to be rendered
deleterious to fish or fish habitat or unsuitable for the purposes intended.
2.18 "Dental Amalgam" means a dental filling material consisting of an amalgam of mercury, silver and other
materials such as copper, tin or zinc.
2.19 "Dental Amalgam Separator" means any technology, or combination of technologies, designed to
separate dental amalgam particles from dental operation Wastewater.
2.20 "Development" means a newly serviced lot, a newly-constructed building larger than 10 m2, or an
addition to an existing building larger than 10 m2;
2.21 "Drinking Water" means water with a level of quality which is typical of uncontaminated water normally
supplied by the Town.
2.22 "Dwelling Unit" means one or more rooms useable as a residence operated as a single housekeeping
unit and having its own sleeping, cooking, and toilet facilities.
2.23 "Facilities" means all infrastructure forming part of the Utility Service, including mains, lines, pipes,
service connection points, pump stations, hydrants, valves and meters and treatment infrastructure.
2.24 "Fire Line" means a pipe intended solely for the purpose of providing a supply of water for fire protection
purposes.
2.25 "Grab Sample" means a single sample or measurement of wastewater, storm water, drinking water or
effluent which is collected at a specific time.
2.26 "Grit" means sand, gravel, cinder, or other heavy solid materials that are heavier than the organic
biodegradable solids in the waste water.
2.27 "Hauled Wastewater" means waste removed from a wastewater system, including a cesspool, a septic
tank system, a privy vault or privy pit, a chemical toilet, a portable toilet or a Wastewater holding tank or
any waste which is transported to and deposited into an approved wastewater treatment facility.
2.28 "Hauled Wastewater Permit" means a permit issued by the Town of Whitecourt for acceptance to
dispose at the treatment facility.
2.29 "Hazardous Waste" means:
a. any substance or mixture of substances that exhibits characteristics of flammability, corrosivity,
radioactivity, reactivity or toxicity; and
b. has the meaning set out in the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act, R.S.A. 2000, Ch. E
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
12 as amended, and the regulations thereunder and the Alberta Waste Control Regulation
(AR192/1996) and any successor to this Acts or Regulations.
2.30 "Hydrocarbons" mean solvent extractable matter as set forth in Standard Methods by Alberta
Environment and Parks.
2.31 "Industrial Waste" means any waste from industrial processes, such as dairies, breweries, packing
plants and petro chemicals and similar processes.
2.32 "Inspector" means a person or employee authorized by the Town to enforce the provisions of this Bylaw
includes designated employees, Bylaw Officers, Community Peace Officers, and Police Officers.
2.33 "Institution or Institutional Facility" means a facility, usually owned by a government, operated for public
purposes, such as a school, university, medical facility (hospital, nursing station, and nursing home),
museum, prison, government office, military base. Some of these facilities produce non-residential
discharges to sewers from, for example, laboratories, chemical use, and industrial processes.
2.34 "Interceptor" means a device designed to prevent oil, grease, sand or other solid matter from passing
from the source thereof into the wastewater or storm water sewer systems.
2.35 "Low-flow Plumbing Fixtures" means toilets with a usage not exceeding 6.0 litres per flush; single flush
urinals with a usage not exceeding 3.8 litres per flush; shower head fixtures with a flow rate not
exceeding 9.5 litres per minute; and lavatory basin faucets and kitchen sink faucets with a flow rate not
exceeding 8.3 litres per minute.
2.36 "Municipal Tag" means a tag or similar document issued by the Town pursuant to the Municipal
Government Act, RSA 2000, cM-26, as amended, for the purposes of notifying a Person that an offence
has been committed for which a prosecution may follow.
2.37 "Monitoring Access Point" means an access point, such as a chamber, in a private sewer connection to
allow for observation, sampling and flow measurement of the wastewater, drinking water or storm water
therein.
2.38 "Multi-Family Residential" means a building containing three or more dwelling units.
2.39 "Occupant or Tenant" means the person that leases or occupies a property to which Utility Services are
provided.
2.40 "Oil and Grease" means n-Hexane extractable matter as described in Standard Methods.
2.41 "Owner or Property Owner" means the Person who is registered on the tax roll or under the Land Titles
Act, as the Owner of the fee simple estate in the land to which Utility Services are provided.
2.42 "PCBs" means any mono-chlorinated or polychlorinated biphenyl or any mixture of them or mixture that
contains one or more of them.
2.43 "Person" means any individual, occupier, lessee, Tenant, Owner, contractor, firm, partnership,
association, corporation, trustee, executor, administrator or legal representative to whom the context
applies according to law.
2.44 "pH" means the measure of the intensity of the acid or alkaline condition of a solution determined by the
hydrogen ion concentration of the solution as set forth in Standard Methods.
2.45 "Phosphates" means a chemical salt classified as orthophosphates, condensed phosphates and poly-
phosphates.
2.46 "Polluted Water" means water that contain deleterious substances in excess of that permitted in this
Bylaw.
2.47 "Pre-treatment" means the reduction, elimination or alteration of pollutants in Wastewater prior to
discharge into the Sewer, whether by physical, chemical or biological processes, through pollution
prevention, or by other means, except by diluting the concentration of the pollutants.
2.48 "Private Water Service or Private Service Connection" means that portion of a pipe used or intended to
be used for the supply of water which extends from the service valve to a meter.
2.49 "Private Waste Water System" means a privately owned and operated, on-site system for treating and
disposing of household waste water
2.50 "Property" in the case of land means a parcel of land and includes premises located upon the land where
the context requires; or in other cases, means personal property.
2.51 "Radioactive Materials" means prescribed substances as defined in the Nuclear Safety and Control Act,
SC 1997, c.9 and Regulations enacted thereunder, as amended.
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2.52 "Reactive Waste" means a substance that is normally unstable and readily undergoes violent changes
without detonating; reacts violently with water; forms potentially explosive mixtures with water; when
mixed with water, generates toxic gases, vapours or fumes in a quantity sufficient to present danger to
human health or the environment; is a cyanide or sulphide bearing waste which, when exposed to pH
conditions between 2 and 12.5, can generate toxic gases, vapours or fumes in a quantity sufficient to
present danger to human health or the environment; is capable of detonation or explosive reaction if it
is subjected to a strong initiating source or if heated under confinement; is readily capable of detonation
or explosive decomposition or reaction at standard temperature and pressure; or is an explosive (Class
1) as defined in the regulations under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulation as amended.
2.53 "Remote Reading Device" means a device which is connected to a water meter by the Town and
provides a duplicate reading of the water consumed, which may be monitored from the exterior of a
building.
2.54 "Sampling Port" means a valve, tap, or similar device on equipment, a drain pipe or at another suitable
location, to allow for sampling, consistent with technical guidelines that the Town may establish from
time to time.
2.55 "Service Valve" means the water valve/curb stop on a Town Service Connection which is typically
located at the property line.
2.56 "Sewer" means a pipe, conduit, drain, open channel or ditch for the collection and transmission of
wastewater or storm water and to which private or Town sewer connections may be attached.
2.57 "Sharps" means hypodermic needles, syringes, blades, broken glass and any devices, instruments or
other objects which have acute rigid corners, edges or protuberances.
2.58 "Spill" means a direct or indirect discharge into the wastewater or storm water sewer or the natural
environment which is abnormal in quantity or quality in light of all the circumstances of the discharge.
2.59 "Standard Methods" means a procedure or method set out in the most recent edition or the Standard
Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater published jointly by the American Public Health
Association, American Water Works Association or such other edition as is approved in writing by the
Inspector.
2.60 "Storm Water Sewer System" means a sewer for the collection and transmission of uncontaminated
water, storm water, and drainage from land or from a watercourse, or storm water pond, or any
combination thereof but excluding any wastewater.
2.61 "Storm Water" means the water running off the surface of a drainage area during and immediately after
a period of rain or snow melt.
2.62 "Subsurface Water" means groundwater including foundation drain water.
2.63 "Sump" means a facility on the connection to the wastewater collection system for trapping large, heavy
solids before discharge into these systems.
2.64 "Town" means Chief Administrative Officer or his/her designate officer.
2.65 "Utility or Utility Service" means, as the context may require, the Town's Water Utility, Wastewater Utility,
and Storm Water Utility.
2.66 "Violation Ticket" means a ticket issued pursuant to Part II or Part Ill of the Provincial Offences Procedure
Act, RSA 2000, cP-34, as amended.
2.67 "Water Main" means those pipes installed by the Town Right of Ways, roads, and easements for the
conveyance of water throughout the Town to which Town service connections may be attached.
2.68 "Water Utility" means the system of water works owned and operated by the Town and all accessories
and appurtenances thereto.
2.69 "Waste" means any solid or liquid material or product or combination of them that is intended to be
treated or disposed of or that is intended to be stored and then treated or disposed of.
2.70 "Wastewater" means the composite of water and water-carried wastes from residential, commercial,
industrial or institutional premises or any other source.
2.71 "Wastewater Sewer" means a sewer for the collection and transmission of domestic or industrial
wastewater or any combination thereof.
2.72 "Wastewater Works" means any works for the collection, transmission, treatment and disposal of
wastewater, storm water or uncontaminated water, including a combined sewer, wastewater sewer or
storm water sewer, or any part of such works, but does not include plumbing or other works to which
the applicable Building Code applies.
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
PART 2 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
3. DELEGATION
Council hereby delegates to the Chief Administrative Officer all those powers stipulated by this Bylaw to
be exercised by the Town and all necessary authority to carry out those powers, except those powers
which are reserved exclusively for Council under the Municipal Government Act, or reserved for other
Persons pursuant to the provisions of this Bylaw. The Chief Administrative Officer is authorized to
further delegate the powers granted by this Section.
4. SUPPLY AND OWNERSHIP OF FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
4.1 All meters and metering equipment shall be supplied and maintained by the Town unless otherwise
provided in this Bylaw.
4.2 Notwithstanding the payment by an Owner of any costs incurred by the Town, the Town shall retain full
title to all lines, equipment and apparatus on the Town's service connection side.
5. TOWN RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY
5.1 The Town does not guarantee the continuous uninterrupted supply of any Utility Service, and reserves
the right to suspend the supply of a Utility Service at any time without notice.
5.2 The Town and its officers, employees and agents shall not be liable for any damages of any kind due to
or arising out of:
a. a failure to provide a Utility Service;
b. the interruption of service due to maintenance or operational requirements, or due to reasons beyond
the Town's control; or
c. the disconnection or removal of a Utility Service in accordance with this Bylaw.
6. APPLICATION FOR UTILITY ACCOUNT
6.1 A Person requesting a Utility Account shall apply to the Town by completing an application form and
providing such information as the Town may require.
6.2 The Town may establish procedures for the creation of Utility Account by telephone, fax, internet or other
electronic means, or may require the applicant to sign in person a Utility Account Agreement Application.
6.3 The Utility Account shall be set up:
a. in the name of the Owner; or
b. in the name of the Person in the case of a new building under construction, Agent for Owner
(Realtor/Contractor) where the Utilities are requested by the general contractor.
6.4 In all cases the Owner shall be liable for the Utility Account and the cost of Utility Services supplied to a
property, regardless whether the Property is occupied by the Owner or a Tenant and all invoices issued
by the Town shall be sent to the Owner.
6.5 The establishment of a Utility Account creates an agreement between the Owner and the Town, of which
the provisions of the application form and the terms of this Bylaw shall form a part.
6.6 No new Utility Account will be opened for anyone who is in arrears to the Town for Utility Services unless
satisfactory arrangements for payment of the outstanding amount have been made.
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7. TRANSITION OF ACCOUNTS
7.1 All current utility accounts in the name of the Tenant will be transitioned to the Owner. The Owner will
not be charged a fee for opening or transferring accounts.
7.2 Utility deposits held by Town will be refunded to the Occupant or Tenant if the account is in good
standing.
7.3 To accommodate transition, properties where the account is held in the name of a current Tenant and
the account is in good standing at the time this Bylaw comes into effect, may continue to receive the
applicable Utility Services until such time as the Owner transfers the account into the Owner's name or
the Utility Services is otherwise discontinued for any reason pursuant to this Bylaw.
7.4 Notwithstanding Section 7.3, the Owner of a property serviced by a Utility where the account is in the
name of the Tenant shall be required to submit an Application for the Utilities not later than one year
from the date this Bylaw comes into effect, in order to transition the account into the Owner's name.
Failure to submit an Application in the format required by the Town and establish an account in the name
of the Owner of a property as required herein shall be grounds for discontinuance of the provision of the
Utility Services to the Property, in accordance with s. 41 of the Municipal Government Act, provided that
the Town provides a minimum of thirty (30) days written notice to the Occupant and Owner of the property
of its intention to discontinue the provision of the Utility Services to the Property
8. CONDITIONS OF SERVICE
8.1 Upon receipt of all required information and fees, verification of the Owner's identity and the accuracy of
the information, the Town will advise the Owner whether and on what terms the Town is prepared to
supply Utility Services to the Owner, the type and classification of the connections it is prepared to
approve for the Owner, and any conditions (including without limitation, payments by the Owner) that
must be satisfied as a condition of the supply of the Utility Services.
8.2 The Town is not obliged to supply Utility Services until the Owner has provided the Town with access to
the premises to which the Utilities are to be provided, so to enable the Town to inspect the physical
connections for such Utility and to obtain an initial meter reading for each metered Utility Service.
9. DEPOSITS FOR BULK WATER ACCOUNTS
9.1 Before a Utility bulk water account is opened, a guarantee of payment in the form of a cash deposit,
credit card, money order, or certified cheque in the amount set forth in the Town of Whitecourt Fees,
Rates, and Charges Bylaw. Alternately, In the case of large businesses, the Town may accept an
irrevocable letter of credit or guarantee from a financial Institution.
10. INTEREST ON DEPOSITS
10.1 Interest on each Owner's cash security deposit shall be calculated annually and credited, not in advance,
at the rate specified to be paid on security deposits under the Residential Tenancy Act, SA 2004, cR-
17.1 as amended.
11. REFUND OF BULK ACCOUNT DEPOSIT
11.1 Upon termination of the Bulk Utility Account Agreement, the deposit shall be refunded, together with
accrued interest, after deducting any amount owed to the Town whatsoever by the Owner in relation to
the Owner's Bulk Utility account. The balance of the deposit will be refunded within 3 months of the final
bill due date to the address on the account, or such other address provided by the Owner.
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
12. SERVICE CHARGE
12.1 When an Owner requests that the Town attend at the property to which the Utility Service is being
supplied with respect to any matter relating to the supply of Utility Services or the servicing of the same,
and if for any reason whatsoever the Town is unable to enter the said premises, or if the call is for failure
of service not attributable to the Town, or the water meter is not accessible, the Owner shall pay a service
charge fee as set forth in the Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates, and Charges Bylaw.
13. AFTER HOURS CALLS
13.1 The Owner shall pay the applicable after hour's fee as set forth in the Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates,
and Charges Bylaw for service calls after 5:00 p.m. or before 8:00 a.m., Monday through Friday, or on a
Saturday, Sunday, or statutory or civic holiday. The fee for after hours' calls shall also apply if a meter is
required to be installed or connected, or should a Utility Service be required to be disconnected or
reconnected during such times.
14. UTILITY CHARGES AND PAYMENT OF UTILITY ACCOUNTS
14.1 The rates and charges for Utility Services shall be those set out in the Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates,
and Charges Bylaw.
14.2 All rates and charges shall be paid to the Town within the time prescribed by this Bylaw.
14.3 The whole amount owing in a Utility Account is due and payable on the due date stated on the Utility bill
and the account will be deemed to be in arrears if payment is not made on or before the due date. The
Owner is responsible to pay the amounts owing on a Utility bill whether or not the Owner has received
the utility bill.
14.4 Any charge on an Owner's account remaining unpaid after the due date will be in arrears and constitute
a debt owing to the Town recoverable by any or all of the following methods:
a. The Town after 90 days will add the outstanding account balance to the tax roll of the Owner of the
property; and
b. The Town may discontinue the supply of all or any Utility Services;
c. The Town may terminate and close the Owner's account;
d. By action in any Court of the Alberta.
15. DISCONNECTION
15.1 The Owner shall pay a disconnection service charge as set forth in the Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates,
and Charges Bylaw where a Utility Service is disconnected.
16. RECONNECTION
Before the Town reconnects or restores Utilities Services, the Owner shall:
a. pay any amount owed in full by the Owner to the Town for Utility Services or, at the Town's discretion,
make arrangements for payment satisfactory to the Town;
b. pay the applicable reconnection service charge as set forth in the Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates,
and Charges Bylaw.
17. BILLING ADJUSTMENTS
17.1 Where an Owner has been charged less or more than they should have been charged for Utility Services
provided, the Town will review the account and make corrections for the billing errors for up to a
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
maximum of 12 months prior to the date the error is discovered. Corrections will not be made for billing
errors in respect of Utility Services provided more than one year prior to the date the billing error is
discovered.
18. LATE PAYMENT PENALTY
18.1 When the Owner pays the Utility account after the due date stated in the account or after such other due
date as may be approved by the Town, whether the payment is made at a financial Institution or directly
to the Town, the Owner shall pay a penalty on the overdue balance as set forth in the Town of Whitecourt
Fees, Rates, and Charges Bylaw.
19. NOVELTY PAYMENT METHODS
19.1 The Town may refuse to accept a payment by way of a cheque drawn on a form other than a bank
cheque form (a Novelty Cheque), but where the Town does so, the Owner shall be liable for and pay to
the Town all charges and costs incurred to process the Novelty Cheque. The Town will follow the Bank
of Canada rules and regulations of currency acceptance limitations in respect of payment by cash.
20. INTERIM UTILITY BILL
20.1 Where the Town has not measured the amount of a metered Utility Service, it may issue an interim Utility
bill based on estimated consumption and shall credit Utility accounts for all payments made by an Owner
against such interim bill.
20.2 Where any service rate or charge is referenced to a time frame, the charge for a lesser period of time
shall be calculated on a prorated basis.
21. ENFORCEMENT
21.1 The Town is authorized to collect all accounts owing to the Town under this Bylaw, and may take any of
the measures a municipality is authorized to take under the Municipal Government Act.
22. APPEALS
22.1 A Person, who uses, receives, or pays for Utility Services may appeal a service charge, rate or toll
charged under this Bylaw on the grounds that such service charge, rate or toll does not conform to the
established public Utility rate structure, has been improperly imposed, or is discriminatory, to the Alberta
Utility Commission.
22.2 A Customer may appeal decisions made by the Director of Infrastructure or his/her delegate pursuant to
the following sections of this Bylaw:
a. Section 17 - Billing Adjustments
b. Section 29 - Connection to Utility Service to CAO by filing a Notice of Appeal with the Director of
Infrastructure within 14 days of receiving the aforementioned decision. When hearing an appeal, the
CAO may confirm, revoke or vary the decision. CAO is not obligated to conduct an oral hearing and
may conduct the review based on written material provided by the Person and any other Town
employee.
23. REASONABLE NOTICE
23.1 The Town shall provide written notice by regular mail to the Property Owner and/or posting on the
property of any breach of this Bylaw which may result in the Town discontinuing Utility Services. Such
notice shall be deemed to be received 7 working days following the mailing or posting of the notice of
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
the discontinuance of Utility Service. Notices shall be sent to the Owner, the notice shall be sent to the
address of the premises and/or the address provided in the application for service.
24. TERMINATION OF ACCOUNT BY OWNER
24.1 An Owner is responsible for all charges accruing to the Owner's account until such time as the account
is closed.
24.2 When an Owner gives notice to the Town that the Owner's account is to be closed, the Town shall obtain
a final reading of any meter as soon as reasonably practical and the Owner shall be liable for and pay
for all service supplied prior to such reading. The Town will require access to the premises to read the
meter and complete an inspection of equipment. The Town may base the final charge for service on an
estimated meter reading which will be prorated from the time of an actual meter reading.
25. TERMINATION BY THE TOWN UPON NOTICE
25.1 The Town may discontinue the supply of any Utility Service for any of the following reasons, after notice
has been given pursuant to Section 23:
a. non-payment of any Utility accounts;
b. inability of the Town to obtain access to premises to read, service, inspect meter or any other related
equipment;
c. failure or refusal of an Owner to comply with any provision of this Bylaw;
d. in any other case provided for in this Bylaw.
26. TERMINATION WITHOUT NOTICE
26.1 The Town may discontinue the supply of a water Utility Service without prior notice in the event of any
threatened or actual danger to life or property, or in any other similar circumstances that the Town
determines, in its sole discretion, acting reasonably, require such action.
26.2 The Town may discontinue the supply of the water Utility Service without prior notice for any of the
reasons listed above or for any of the following reasons:
a. if the Owner has caused, permitted or allowed any piping, fixture, fitting, container or other appliance
to be or remain connected to the water supply system which allows or has the potential to allow water
from a source other than the water utility or any other harmful or deleterious liquid or substance to
enter the water utility;
i.
failure by an Owner to notify the Town within 24 hours after the seal on a bypass or a water
meter is broken;
ii.
failure by an Owner to repair or replace a backflow preventer within ninety-six (96) hours of
being so directed by the Town;
iii.
in the event of an emergency or water shortage as the Town deems necessary; or
iv.
in any other case provided for in this Bylaw.
27. ACCESS TO ENTER PREMISES
27.1 In accordance with the Municipal Government Act, the Town may, after giving reasonable notice to the
Owner or occupier of the Property, enter any property upon which a meter or shut-off valve is situated
for the purpose of providing, maintaining or terminated the supply of a Utility Service to that property.
27.2 The Owner is responsible to provide the Town access to the meter, shut-off valve and other Town
infrastructure for the purpose of providing, maintaining or terminating the supply of a Utility Service.
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
27.3 The Town may remove obstructions on the premises or road allowances that are interfering with the
performance of providing, maintaining or terminating the supply of a Utility Service and may charge the
Owner the costs associated with such removal. The Town will use reasonable care to avoid damaging
the obstruction during removal. The Town shall not be responsible for any restoration costs associated
with such removals, should they be incurred.
27.4 If the Town cannot access the meter, shut off valve, or curb stop for any reason, the Town may charge
a no access fee to the Owner as set forth in the Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates, and Charges Bylaw.
28. SERVICE REMOVAL AND BUILDING DEMOLITION
28.1 No Person shall cause, permit or allow a building to be demolished or removed until Utility Services to
the property are disconnected and removed and any fee for such removal has been paid.
Notwithstanding the foregoing; the Town may, in circumstances which the Town considers appropriate,
permit the service to remain connected to the Utility Service line or main.
28.2 Utility charges will continue in accordance with the rates identified in the Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates,
and Charges Bylaw until all occupiable buildings located on the property have been demolished or
removed.
29. CONNECTION TO UTILITY SERVICE
29.1 Within one year after a Utility Service becomes available, the Owner of every building situated on land
abutting a water main and a wastewater sewer main must connect to the public water and wastewater
systems in accordance with all applicable federal, provincial, and municipal legislation, at the Owner's
expense. If there is an existing well, cistern, or Private Waste Water System, these must be 100%
disconnected and unused, to avoid cross contamination, prior to having the water turned on by the Town.
29.2 Notwithstanding Section Error! Reference source not found., the Town shall have the discretion to
extend the period of time within which the connection to the water main and/or wastewater sewer must
be made for such period of time as the Town considers is reasonable and subject to review every 3
years or less, provided that such extension of time is consistent with Town policies and Council direction,
and also provided that the failure to connect:
a. will not jeopardize the health or safety of the occupants of the building or of other Town residents;
b. will not adversely affect the integrity or operation of those utilities; and
c. will not present an undue risk of damage to property or the environment.
29.3 The Owner shall provide the Town with a completed application form approved by the Town, to make
such connection. The application shall include any plans, or specifications as may be required by the
Town Design Standards, or other information required by the Town.
29.4 The Owner shall, pay a service connection inspection fee as set forth in the Town of Whitecourt Fees,
Rates, and Charges Bylaw.
29.5 At such time as the Owner connects to a Utility Service, the Owner shall also open a Utility account and
make payment of all applicable fees that may be required under this Bylaw.
29.6 No person shall uncover, make any connections with or opening into, use, alter, or disturb any water
mains, Town service connections, wastewater sewer, storm water sewer or appurtenances thereof,
unless authorized by the Town.
29.7 Notwithstanding the foregoing, all private water service connections, wastewater sewers, and storm
water infrastructure and facilities on private property shall be constructed and maintained by the Owner's
forces at their expense in accordance with the requirements of this Bylaw, the Alberta Provincial
Legislation Code, Fire Code, and accepted engineering principles.
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
29.8 Service Connections on private property (from curbstop to building) shall be made of the same material
as the portion that services the property line (from water main line to curbstop). In particular, water
service connections must be ASTM B88 Compliant Type K copper piping, unless otherwise approved
by the Town.
30. INSTALLATION OF SERVICES
30.1 The Owner shall bear all costs related to the installation of a service connection including but not limited
to the restoration of sidewalks, landscaping, road structure, and third party infrastructure.
31. ABANDONED UTILITY CONNECTIONS
31.1 When any Connections to Town Services are no longer required, it shall be removed at the Owner's
expense, and abandoned at the main, unless otherwise approved by the Town.
31.2 If potential for re-use of the Connections to Town Services exists, or for any reason the Town deems
acceptable, the Utility Service may be temporarily shut off at the property line at the cost to the Owner.
If a temporary disconsolation is allowed and thereafter, for any reason the Town deems it necessary to
do a permanent disconnect, the physical shut off of a Connection to Town Service line from the utility
main shall be at the Owner's expense.
31.3 If the utility is to be shut off and the meter removed for the purpose of demolition, the Owner shall be
responsible of all costs associated with such. If the utility cannot be shut off due to damage to the curb
cock the Town shall excavate to the Connection to Town service pipe, and disconnect the services at
the expense of the Owner.
32. SAMPLING AND MONITORING
32.1 Where sampling is required for the purposes of determining the concentration of constituents in the
wastewater or storm water, the sample may:
a. be collected manually or by using an automatic sampling device; and
b. contain additives for its preservation.
32.2 The Inspector is hereby authorized to enter on to any land or structure at any reasonable time to inspect
for compliance with the requirements of this Bylaw, in accordance with S. 542 of the Municipal
Government Act. Without limitation to the foregoing, the Inspector may, for the purpose of determining
compliance with this Bylaw, inspect wastewater apparatuses and/or take samples of discrete wastewater
or storm water streams from any land or structure for the purposes of testing the samples for compliance
with the requirements of this Bylaw.
32.3 At the time of development, the Owner of any industrial, commercial or institutional premises or multi-
family residential building shall install a Monitoring Access Point as required and ensure that it is
accessible to the Inspector for the purposes of observing, sampling and flow measurement.
32.4 Existing development prior to the adoption of this Bylaw that is found to be a contravention of this Bylaw
the Town may require the Owner to install a Monitoring Access Point as specified by the Town.
32.5 Any single Grab Sample may be used to determine compliance with any provision of this Bylaw.
32.6 All tests, measurements, analyses and examinations of wastewater or storm water, its characteristics or
contents pursuant to this Bylaw shall be carried out in accordance with Standard Methods and be
performed by a laboratory accredited for analysis of the particular substance(s) using a method which is
within the laboratory's scope of accreditation or to the satisfaction of the Inspector as agreed in writing
prior to sample analysis.
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32.7 The following businesses require Sampling Ports when it is not possible to install a Monitoring Access
Point:
a. dental offices;
b. businesses using photographic processing equipment;
c. dry cleaners;
d. vehicle washing; or
e. any other businesses identified by the Town.
33. SPILLS
33.1 In the event of a spill on the ground or to a wastewater and/or storm water sewers, the person responsible
for the spill or the person having the charge, management and control of the spill shall immediately notify
and provide any requested information with regard to the spill to:
a. Alberta Environment and Parks;
b. 911 Emergency if there is any immediate danger to human health and/or safety; or
c. if there is no immediate danger:
i.
by contacting the Town of Whitecourt;
ii.
the Owner of the premises where the release occurred; and
iii.
any other person whom the person reporting knows or ought to know may be directly
affected by the release.
33.2 Nothing in this Bylaw relieves any persons from complying with any notification or reporting provisions
of:
a. other government agencies, including federal and provincial agencies, as required and appropriate for
the material and circumstances of the spill;
b. Alberta Environment and Parks; or
c. any other Bylaw of the Town.
33.3 The person responsible for the spill and the person having the charge, management and control of the
spill shall do everything reasonably possible to contain the spill, protect the health and safety of citizens,
minimize damage to property, protect the environment, clean up the spill and contaminated residue, and
restore the affected area to its condition prior to the spill.
33.4 Thereafter, that person shall provide a detailed report on the spill to the Town, within five working days
after the spill, containing the following information to the best of their knowledge:
a. name and telephone number of the person who reported the spill and the location and time where
they can be contacted;
b. location where spill occurred; date and time of spill; material spilled; characteristics and composition
of material spilled; volume of material spilled; duration of spill event;
c. work completed and any work still in progress in the mitigation of the spill;
d. preventive actions being taken to ensure a similar spill does not occur again; and copies of completed
spill prevention and spill response plan.
33.5 The Town may invoice the person responsible for the spill to recover all costs arising as a result of the
spill and such person shall pay the costs invoiced.
33.6 The Town may require the person responsible for the spill to prepare and submit a spill contingency plan
to indicate how risk of future incidents will be reduced and how future incidents will be addressed.
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34. OFFENCES
34.1 Any Person who:
a. fails to act in compliance and accordance with any notice given under this Bylaw;
b. obstructs an Inspector;
c. unauthorized use of water;
d. releases wastewater improperly;
e. discharges water, without a permit, to the wastewater or storm water sewer systems that was not
provided by the Town; or
f. knowingly makes false statements, records, reports, plans or other documents filed or required to be
maintained pursuant to this Bylaw, or falsifies, tampers with or knowingly renders inaccurate any
monitoring device or method required under this Bylaw
shall be guilty of an offence and upon summary conviction shall be liable to pay a penalty.
34.2 Any Person who contravenes any provision of this Bylaw is guilty of an offence and is liable, upon
summary conviction, to a penalty as set out in Schedule A.
34.3 Notwithstanding Section 37.2 of this Bylaw, any Person who commits a second, third or subsequent
offence under this Bylaw within one (1) year of committing the first offence is liable for the increased
penalty as set out in Schedule A herein.
34.4 In the case of an offence that is of a continuing nature, a contravention constitutes a separate offence in
respect of each day, or part of a day, on which it continues and a person guilty of such an offence is
liable to a fine in an amount of not less than that established by this Bylaw for each such day.
34.5 An Inspector who has reasonable grounds to believe that a person has contravened any provision of
this Bylaw, may serve upon such person a Municipal Tag or Violation Ticket, pursuant to Sections 35
and 36..
35. MUNICIPAL TAGS
35.1 An Inspector is hereby authorized and empowered to issue a Violation Tag to any Person, whom the
Inspector has reasonable grounds to believe has contravened any provision of this Bylaw.
35.2 A Municipal Tag may be issued to such Person:
a. either Personally; or
b. by mailing a copy, via registered mail, to such Person at his or her last known postal address
35.3 The Municipal Tag shall be in a form approved by the Town and shall state:
a. the name of the Person;
b. a description of the offence and the applicable Bylaw section;
c. the appropriate penalty for the offence as specified in Schedule A of this Bylaw;
d. that the penalty shall be paid within thirty (30) days of the issuance of the Violation Tag in order to
avoid prosecution; and
e. any other information as may be required by the Town.
35.4 Where a Municipal Tag has been issued pursuant to Section 35.1, the Person to whom the Municipal
Tag has been issued may, in lieu of being prosecuted for the offence, pay to the Town, the penalty
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specified on the Municipal Tag.
35.5 In the event that a Municipal Tag has been issued and the penalty specified on the Municipal Tag has
not been paid within the prescribed time, an Inspector is hereby authorized and empowered to issue a
Violation Ticket pursuant to Part 2 or Part 3 of the Provincial Offences Procedure Act to the Person to
whom the Violation Tag was issued.
36. VIOLATION TICKETS
36.1 Notwithstanding Section 34.1, an Inspector is hereby authorized and empowered to immediately issue
a Violation Ticket to any Person to whom an Inspector has reasonable grounds to believe has
contravened any provision of this Bylaw.
36.2 A Violation Ticket issued with respect to a violation of this Bylaw may be served upon the Person
responsible for the contravention in accordance with the Provincial Offences Procedure Act.
36.3 The Person to whom the Violation Ticket has been issued may plead guilty by making voluntary payment
to the Provincial Court, on or before the initial appearance date, with an amount equal to the specified
of the offence as provided by this Bylaw.
36.4 Where a Clerk of the Court records in the court records the receipt of a voluntary payment pursuant to
this Bylaw and the Provincial Offences Procedure Act, the act of recording constitutes acceptance of the
guilty plea and also constitutes a conviction and imposition of a fine in the amount of the specified
penalty.
37. POWER AND AUTHORITY OF INSPECTORS
37.1 An Inspector of the Town may in accordance with this Bylaw and the Municipal Government Act:
a. enter upon all properties for the purpose of inspection, observation, measurement, sampling and
testing in accordance with the provisions of this Bylaw.
b. take samples of wastewater, storm water, drinking water and subsurface water being released from
the premises or flowing within a private drainage system;
c. perform on-site testing of the wastewater, storm water, clear-water waste and subsurface water within
or being released from private drainage systems, pre-treatment facilities and storm water
management facilities;
d. make inspections of the types and quantities of chemicals being handled or used on the premises in
relation to possible release to a drainage system or watercourse;
e. require information from any person, inspect and copy documents or remove documents from
premises to make copies, concerning any potential violation of this bylaw;
f. inspect chemical storage areas and spill containment facilities and request Material Safety Data
Sheets (MSDS) for materials stored or used on a property;
g. inspect the premises where a release of prohibited or restricted wastes or of water containing
prohibited or restricted wastes has been made or is suspected of having been made, and to sample
any or all matter that in their opinion could have been part of the release.
37.2 Where an inspection discloses any failure, omission, or neglect respecting any Utility Service upon the
Owner's premises, or discloses any defect in the location, construction, design or maintenance of any
facility or any connection there from to the Utility Service, the person making such inspection shall, in
writing, notify the Owner, Property Owner, proprietor or occupier to rectify the cause of complaint within
a reasonable time as determined by the Town. Such notified person shall within the time limited rectify
such cause of complaint stated in the notice.
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37.3 No person shall hinder or prevent the Inspector of the Town from carrying out any of their powers or
duties.
37.4 The Town may serve any person who is in violation of any provision of this Bylaw with written notice
stating the nature of the violation and requiring the satisfactory correction thereof within 48 hours, or
within such additional time as required by this Bylaw or as determined by the Town. Such person shall,
within the time stated in such notice, permanently cease all violations. Nothing in this provision shall
preclude the Town from proceeding directly to any other enforcement remedy available to it under this
Bylaw, the Municipal Government Act, or any other provincial legislation or regulation.
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PART 3 - WATER UTILITY
38. WATER SERVICE BILLING RATES
38.1 An Owner shall pay the amounts specified in this Bylaw and in the Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates, and
Charges Bylaw for all water supplied and water Utility Services provided.
38.2 The Town shall determine which rate in the Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates, and Charges Bylaw shall
apply to any particular Owner.
38.3 Where a Remote Reading Device is installed in addition to the water meter, the water meter shall be
used to determine the official reading.
38.4 All water meters, must be purchased from the Town as per rates set forth in the Town of Whitecourt
Fees, Rates, and Charges Bylaw.
39. CONNECTION TO TOWN WATER SUPPLY
39.1 In the case of a new private water service connection to a Town service connection that is 50 millimetres
or larger in diameter, the Owner shall provide, at the Owner's expense, proof of satisfactory
bacteriological test results (as per ANSI/AWWA C651-14 standard, as amended) for the service, from a
laboratory accredited to perform such tests by the Province of Alberta.
40. CONTINUOUS WATER SUPPLY NOT GUARANTEED
40.1 The Town does not guarantee the pressure nor the continuous supply of water, and the Town reserves
the right at any and all times without notice to change operating water pressures and to shut off water.
The Town and its officers, employees and agents shall not be liable for any damages of any kind due to
changes in water pressure, the shutting off of water, or by reason of the water containing sediments,
deposits or other foreign matter.
40.2 Owners depending upon a continuous and uninterrupted supply or pressure of water or having
processes or equipment that require particularly clear or pure water shall provide such facilities as they
consider necessary to ensure a continuous and uninterrupted supply or pressure or quality of water
required for their use.
41. INSPECTION OF PREMISES
41.1 The Town may inspect the premises of an Owner who applies to the Town for the supply of water in
order to determine if it is advisable to supply water to such Owner.
41.2 The Town may, with the permission of the Owner, inspect the premises of the Owner in order to do any
tests on water piping or fixtures belonging to such Owner so as to determine if this Bylaw is being
complied with and in the event that such Owner fails or refuses to give such permission, the supply of
water to that Owner may be shut off.
42. WATER USE RESTRICTIONS
42.1 The Town may, at such times and for such lengths of time as the Town considers necessary or advisable,
regulate, restrict or prohibit the use of water for use other than human consumption. The Town may
cause the water supply to any Owner who causes, permits or allows irrigation, wastage, exterior
washing, or other non-human consumption in contravention of any such regulation, restriction or
prohibition to be shut off until the Owner undertakes to abide by and comply with such regulation or
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prohibition.
42.2 No Owner shall operate, use, interfere with, obstruct or impede access to the Water Utility Service or
any portion thereof in any manner not expressly permitted by this Bylaw, in default of which the Town
may cause the water being supplied to such Owner to be shut off until such Owner complies with all of
the provisions of this Bylaw.
43. WATER WASTAGE
43.1 No Owner shall cause, permit or allow the discharge of water so that it runs to waste or useless, whether
by reason of leakage from private water service connection, a faulty plumbing system or otherwise.
43.2 Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Town may under such condition as the Town may consider
reasonable allow water discharge for the purposes of:
a. the installation and maintenance of infrastructure, including flushing of water mains, hydrant leads
and Town service connections to prevent stagnation and/or to remove deleterious materials;
b. preventing the freezing of water mains, hydrants leads, and services connections;
c. conducting water flow tests;
d. firefighting and associated training programs; or
e. other purposes as deemed necessary by the Town.
44. REQUIREMENT TO USE LOW-FLOW PLUMBING FIXTURES
44.1 Any person installing plumbing fixtures for any new construction or renovation project that requires a
plumbing permit shall install only low-flow plumbing fixtures.
44.2 The requirements of Section 44.1 shall not apply to plumbing facilities installed for safety or emergency
purposes including emergency safety showers and face / eye wash stations.
45. UNAUTHORIZED USE OF WATER
45.1 No Person shall:
a. lend, sell or otherwise dispose of water unless specifically altered through an additional treatment
process;
b. give away or permit water to be taken;
c. use or apply any water to the use or benefit of others or to any other than the Owner's own use and
benefit;
d. increase the usage of water beyond that agreed upon with the Town; or
e. extract or remove any water from any hydrant within the Town;
without first obtaining written permission from the Town and subject to such reasonable conditions as the
Town may impose with respect to the quantity, price and times of withdrawal of the water so used.
45.2 During such periods as the Town may designate by notice published in a newspaper, social media or
other means of notification.
a. no Owner shall use, permit, or allow to be used, any water supplied to any premises, the numerical
address of which (excluding street name) ends in odd number, for vehicle washing, lawn watering or
other irrigation purposes on any day of the month which is an odd number;
b. no Owner shall use, permit, or allow to be used any water supplied to any premises, the numerical
address of which (excluding street name) ends in an even number for vehicle washing, lawn watering,
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or other irrigation purposes, on any day of the month which is an even number;
45.3 If the Town finds an unauthorized use of water including use resulting from any tampering with a meter
or other facilities, the Town may make such changes in its meters or other facilities, or take such other
corrective action, as may be appropriate to ensure only authorized use. The Owner shall pay all costs
of such action necessary to remedy any violation of the law caused by the Owner.
45.4 Upon finding an unauthorized use of water, the Town may disconnect the service connection
immediately, without notice, and shall charge the Owner all costs incurred in correcting the condition, in
addition to any other rights and remedies which may be available to the Town.
46. INVESTIGATION INTO WATER SUPPLY SERVICE FAILURE
46.1 Any Owner that notifies the Town of a failure or interruption of water supply, the investigation of which
necessitates the excavating of a street shall, prior to excavating, deposit with the Town the costs thereof
as estimated by the Town, or sign a work order agreeing to pay such costs, at the discretion of the Town.
46.2 If such failure or interruption was caused by the Town service connection the Owner shall not be liable
for such costs and any deposit paid shall be refunded.
46.3 If such failure or interruption was caused by the private water service, the actual cost of such work shall
be paid by the Owner and the deposit shall be applied thereto. Any excess shall be refunded to the
Owner and any deficiency shall be collected in the same manner as water rates.
47. PRESSURE SURGES
47.1 No Owner shall cause, permit or allow any apparatus fitting or fixture to be or remain connected to the
Owner's water supply or to be operated which causes pressure surges or other disturbances which may
in the opinion of the Town result in damage to other Owners or to the water Utility Service.
48. CONTAMINATION
48.1 No Owner shall cause, permit or allow to be or remain connected to the Owner's water supply system
any piping, fixture, fitting, container or other appliance which may cause water from a source other than
the Water Utility Service or any liquid or substance to enter the water Utility Service. The Town may
cause the water supply to any Owner contravening the provisions of this section to be shut off provided
that the Town shall, if the Town considers it practicable so to do, give notice to such Owner prior to such
water supply being shut off. The water supply to such Owner shall not be restored until such Owner has
paid to the Town all costs associated with the shutting off of the water supply, the cleanup of
contamination and the remedying of the Owner's default under this section.
49. MEASUREMENT BY METER
49.1 All water supplied by the Town to an Owner shall be measured by a meter unless otherwise provided for
in this Bylaw.
50. METER INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE
50.1 Owners who request the installation of a meter shall make application and pay a fee as set forth in the
Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates, and Charges Bylaw. The Town will be responsible for all maintenance
and replacement due to normal use.
50.2 The Town may change an Owner's meter(s) with notice given pursuant to Section 23.
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51. INSTALLATION RESPONSIBILITY
51.1 Water meters which are 25 millimetres in size or smaller shall be supplied and installed by the Town, at
a fee set forth in the Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates, and Charges Bylaw. Meters larger than 25
millimetres shall be installed by a certified plumber and must be inspected by the Town and pay fee as
set forth in the Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates, and Charges Bylaw.
51.2 The Owner shall provide for the installation of a water meter to the satisfaction of the Town and when
required shall install a properly engineered bypass system with valve.
51.3 For water meter installation within a building, the Owner shall provide a suitable site for such installation
near an internal main shut off, to the satisfaction of the Town and in accordance with the Provincial
plumbing code, or latest version.
51.4 The Owner shall ensure that employees or agents of the Town have clear access to meter areas and
water meters for meter testing, repair, and reading purposes.
51.5 Unless the Town otherwise approves, the Town shall not allow more than one water meter for any one
building, service, or lot. If additional water meters are approved, a separate service will be required for
each additional water meter.
51.6 Unless the Town otherwise approves, a separate water meter shall be installed for each of the two
dwelling units contained within a duplex residential building and a separate service will be required for
each water meter.
51.7 Any Owner whose water is not metered, or whose meter is not positioned to the satisfaction of the Town,
shall make proper provision for a meter to be installed or the meter to be moved as the case may be, all
costs of which shall be paid by the Owner.
52. METER CHAMBER
52.1 When in the opinion of the Town, the premises to be supplied with water are too far from the Town
service connection to conveniently install a meter in the premises, or if a number of buildings are to be
so supplied or for any other reason in the opinion of the Town, then the Owner shall, at the Owner's sole
cost, construct and maintain an approved container for a meter and such container shall in all respects
including location, construction size, access and otherwise be satisfactory to the Town.
53. METER SIZE
53.1 The size of the meters shall be determined as follows:
a. if the internal diameter of the private water service is 25 millimetres (1") or less, a 16 millimetre (5/8")
meter shall be used; or
b. if the internal diameter of the private water service exceeds 25 millimetres (1"), the size of the meter
shall be one size smaller than the size of the private water service; or
c. if the private water service is a combined service, the internal diameter of the private water service
branch to be used for purposes other than fire protection shall determine the meter size as set out in
Subsections a. and b. of this section.
54. BYPASSES
54.1 Any Owner having a water meter 50 millimetres (2") in size or larger requiring a bypass shall at the
Owner's own expense construct and maintain a properly valved bypass satisfactory to the Town. The
bypass shall be sealed by the Town and shall be opened by the Owner only in case of emergency. The
Owner shall notify the Town within 24 hours after the seal on the bypass is broken, failing which the
Town may cause the water supply to such Owner be shut off until satisfactory arrangements have been
made for the calculation of and payment for water supplied and not recorded on the meter.
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55. METER VALVING
55.1 All Owners having a meter shall, at the Owner's sole cost and expense, supply and maintain valves on
both sides of and within 300 millimetres (12") of the meter.
56. PROTECTION OF METER
56.1 The Owner shall provide adequate protection for the water meter and any associated valves or pipes
against freezing, heat or any other internal or external damage of any kind which may affect the operation
of the water meter or meters, failing which the Owner shall pay all costs associated with the repair.
56.2 No person other than an authorized Town employee shall install, test, repair, remove, disconnect, and/or
reconnect a meter unless specifically authorized to do so in writing by the Town
56.3 No person shall break, tamper or interfere with any water meter, appurtenances or facility.
56.4 The Owner shall notify the Town immediately whenever a water meter is not operating or if any part of
a meter becomes damaged or broken.
56.5 The Owner is responsible for the safe keeping of any water meter and any Remote Reading Device that
is installed on the Owner's premises.
56.6 The Owner shall pay the cost of repairing or replacing any water meter or metering accessories supplied
and installed that may be damaged from any causes within the control of the Owner.
57. NON-REGISTERING METER
57.1 If, upon the reading of a meter, it is determined that the meter has failed to accurately record the
consumption of the Utility Service supplied then the consumption will be estimated upon such basis that
the Town considers being fair and equitable and the account rendered pursuant to Section 17.
57.2 Where it has been determined by the Town that the meter is not accurately recording the consumption
of a Utility Service , the Town may enter the premises to replace the meter, on notice to the Owner
pursuant to Section 23.
58. TESTING CALIBRATION OF DISPUTED METERS
58.1 An Owner who disputes a meter reading shall give written notice to the Town.
58.2 Following receipt of written notice; the water meter situated on the Owner's premises shall be tested or
calibrated by a qualified person designated by the Town. If the meter is found to be accurate within
98.5% to 101.5% of the water passing through it, the expense of such test or calibration shall be borne
by the Owner in the amount designated in the Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates, and Charges Bylaw.
58.3 If the meter is found not accurate within the above limits it shall forthwith be repaired or be replaced by
one that is accurate and the expense thereof shall be borne by the Town and the billing shall be adjusted
as per Section 17.
58.4 Where an examination of past meter readings or other information does not disclose the time at which
the meter error commenced, then the meter error shall be deemed to have commenced twelve months
prior to the date the meter was tested or from the date upon which the meter was installed, whichever is
less.
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59. METER READING
59.1 An Owner shall permit the Town to perform meter reading using automated monitoring equipment.
59.2 The Town shall endeavour to read the meters once every month, or at such other intervals as are
reasonable and practicable under the circumstances. If the Town cannot gain access to the meter
reading as aforesaid, the consumption of the Utility Service shall be estimated upon such basis as the
Town considers being fair and equitable and the account rendered in accordance with such estimate.
59.3 Each meter shall be physically read at a frequency determined by the Town. If such reading cannot be
obtained, the Town may discontinue any or all Utility Services supplied to the premises, until such time
as the Town is able to obtain an actual meter reading.
59.4 Prior to account closure the Town will require a physical meter inspection.
59.5 The Town may shut off the water supply to an Owner who refuses to provide a water meter reading or
access to perform a water meter reading after notice has been given pursuant to Section 25.
59.6 The Owner shall ensure that access to the meter is safe, well lit, and free of hazards to the person
reading the meter. The Owner shall not enclose the meter restricting access. An Owner shall bare all
cost for gaining access to a water meter.
59.7 The Town may require a water meter to be either tested on site or removed for testing by a person
authorized by the Town at any time. The Town may discontinue any or all Utility Services supplied to the
premises until such time as a person authorized by the Town is able to obtain access to test the meter
or remove it for testing.
60. ADDITIONAL METER READS
60.1 When an Owner requests a meter reading at a time other than the regular scheduled time for meter
reading, the Owner may be assessed a fee as set forth in the Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates, and
Charges Bylaw for such reading.
61. PRIVATE WATER SERVICES
61.1 All persons doing any work or service upon a private water service or the plumbing system attached to
it shall comply with the requirements and standards set out in all applicable federal, provincial, and
municipal legislation. A private water service shall be buried to a depth of at least 2.8 metres to prevent
freezing. Any installation or repair conducted at the point of connection to Town Services shall be
inspected and approved by the Town prior to backfill.
62. USE OF GROUNDWATER WELLS
62.1 Once a parcel of land is connected to Town Water Service, any groundwater wells within such property
must be abandoned as per the applicable provincial legislation and regulations and inspected by the
Town prior to meter installation.
63. COMBINED FIRE PROTECTION PRIVATE WATER SERVICE
63.1 A fire line shall be used only for fire protection purposes and a water line which provides combined
domestic service and fire line service shall not be installed without prior approval from the Town.
63.2 The Town shall determine whether or not a meter shall be affixed to a fire line. If required, the meter
shall be supplied and installed in a manner satisfactory to the Town at the Owner's expense.
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64. PUBLIC OR PRIVATE FIRE HYDRANTS
64.1 Unless authorized by the Town, no Person shall:
a. open or close any fire hydrant or valve;
b. connect any device of any kind to a fire hydrant, including a pipe, hose, fixture, or appliance; or
c. use water from a fire hydrant, regardless of whether that hydrant is located on private or public
property, for any purpose other than fire protection.
64.2 No Property Owner or occupant of a parcel or premises shall allow the access to a fire hydrant located
on or adjacent to that parcel or premises to be obstructed in any manner, whether by the building or
erection of any structure or the accumulation of any building material, rubbish, snow or other obstruction
including put not limited to trees and or shrubs.
64.3 No Property Owner or Occupant of a parcel or premises shall allow anything on the parcel or premises
to interfere with the operation and maintenance of a fire hydrant located on or adjacent to that parcel or
premises.
64.4 All persons who own property on which a fire hydrant is located or own property which is adjacent to
Town owned property on which a fire hydrant is located shall:
a. maintain a minimum of four (4) metre clearance all around a fire hydrant and a minimum of 4 metre
above the hydrant;
b. not permit anything to be constructed, erected, or placed within the clearance area;
c. not permit anything except grass to be planted within the clearance area; and
d. maintain visibility of hydrants from the nearest access road.
64.5 All private hydrants will be maintained by Property Owner(s). Records of maintenance will be provided
on a yearly basis to the Town upon request.
65. PERMIT TO USE WATER FROM A FIRE HYDRANT
65.1 The Town may authorize the use of a fire hydrant and the use of water from a fire hydrant on a temporary
basis where no other supply of water can reasonably be obtained.
65.2 The Town will, as a condition for the use of a fire hydrant and the use of water from a fire hydrant, require
that the water pass through a water meter and backflow prevention device prior to use.
65.3 Any person requesting the use of a fire hydrant shall obtain a hydrant connection permit from the Town
and ensure that a copy of such permit is kept with the Persons utilizing the hydrant and they must
produce the hydrant connection permit to an employee or agent of the Town immediately upon demand.
An account and a deposit is needed for a hydrant connection and consumption will be charged at bulk
water rates, as set out in the Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates, and Charges Bylaw 1551.
66. TEMPORARY WATER SERVICE
66.1 Any persons requesting a temporary water supply during the course of construction shall apply to the
Town and shall pay the sums required in the Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates, and Charges Bylaw,
which may include installation and removal of service water meter and backflow preventer and water
consumption charges. Fire hydrants may be used as a temporary water service at the discretion of the
Town, subject to Section 65.
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
67. THAWING SERVICES
67.1 The cost of thawing a frozen service shall be borne as follows:
a. by the Owner if the private water service or the plumbing system connected thereto is frozen, as
determined by the Town;
b. by the Owner if the service connection within the Town Right of Way is frozen as a result of the
negligence of the Owner, as determined by the Town; and
c. by the Town if the service connection within the Town Right of Way is frozen for any other reason,
as determined by the Town.
67.2 The Town shall not thaw a private water service or plumbing system unless the Owner shall first have
signed an acknowledgement recognizing waiving any claim against the Town for any such damage
except damage caused by the negligence of the Town.
68. SERVICE SIZE
68.1 The size of the service required shall be in accordance with current Design Standards.
69. OPERATION OF WATER SERVICE VALVE
69.1 No person shall turn a water service valve (curb stop) on or off except as authorized by the Town.
69.2 No Property Owner of a parcel or premises shall allow a water service valve (curb stop) to be turned on
or off except as authorized by the Town.
69.3 If an Owner requires the supply of water to be shut off for their own purposes, the Owner shall submit a
request to the Town and pay the Town the amount specified in the Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates, and
Charges Bylaw.
69.4 If an Owner requires the supply of water to be shut off for emergency purposes, the Owner shall notify
the Town, the Town may waive the fee specified in the Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates, and Charges
Bylaw.
70. BACKFLOW PREVENTER
70.1 Where in the opinion of the Town, the configuration of any water connection creates a high risk for
contamination to the water system, the Owner, upon being given notice by the Town, shall install on their
water service an approved backflow preventer at the Owner's sole cost.
70.2 No Owner or other person shall connect, cause to be connected, or allow to remain connected to the
water system any piping, fixture, fittings, container or appliance, in a manner which under any
circumstances, may allow contaminated or polluted water, wastewater, or any other liquid, chemical or
substance to enter the domestic water system.
70.3 If a condition is found to exist which is contrary to Section 70.2, the Town may issue such order or orders
to the Owner as may be required to obtain compliance with Section 70.2.
70.4 All backflow preventers shall be inspected and tested at the expense of the Owner, upon installation,
and thereafter annually, or more often if required by the Town; by personnel approved by the Town to
carry out such tests, to demonstrate that the device is in good working condition. The Owner shall submit
a report in a form approved by the Town for all tests performed on a backflow preventer within thirty (30)
days of a test and a record card issued by the Town shall be displayed on or adjacent to the backflow
preventer. The tester shall record thereon the name and address of the Owner of the device; the location,
type, manufacturer, serial number and size of the device; and the test date, the tester's initials, the
tester's name (if self-employed) or the name of the testers employer and the tester's license number.
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
70.5 When the results of a test referred to in Section 70.4 show that a backflow preventer is not in good
working condition, the Owner shall, when so directed by the Town, repair or replace the device within
ninety-six (96) hours. If the Owner fails to comply with the direction given, the Town may shut off the
water service or water services.
70.6 If an Owner fails to have a backflow preventer tested, the Town may notify the Owner that the backflow
preventer must be tested within ninety-six (96) hours of the Owner receiving the notice.
70.7 If an Owner fails to have a backflow preventer tested within the time provided in Section 70.4, the Town
may cause the water service or water services to be terminated until the backflow preventer has been
tested and approved.
70.8 No Person shall turn on a water service valve to provide water to the occupants of any newly renovated,
constructed, or reconstructed premises until the plumbing system in such premises has been inspected
for cross connections and approved by the Plumbing Inspector, as designated by Building Code.
70.9 No persons other than those who are qualified may conduct the tests on backflow preventers.
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
PART 4 - WASTEWATER UTILITY
71. WASTEWATER SERVICE BILLING RATES
71.1 An Owner shall pay the amounts specified in the Town of Whitecourt Fees, Rates, and Charges Bylaw
for all wastewater collection services provided.
72. WASTEWATER CONNECTION EXCEPTIONS
72.1 Notwithstanding Section 71, the Town shall have the right to make special agreements on terms fixed
by the Town with certain industries or others to whom large quantities of water are sold but whose uses
of such water do not involve the return of comparable amounts of wastewater to the Town's wastewater
sewer system.
73. PROHIBITED DISPOSAL OF WASTEWATER
73.1 No person shall place, dispose, dump or permit wastewater to be discharged in any manner upon public
property within the Town or in any area under the jurisdiction of the Town.
73.2 No person shall discharge to any storm water sewer system within the Town or to any area under the
jurisdiction of the Town, any wastewater, industrial waste, dangerous goods, or polluted waters, except
where suitable pre-treatment is provided.
73.3 Except as permitted by applicable federal, provincial, and municipal legislation, no person shall contruct
or maintain in the Town any Private Wastewater System intended or used for the collection or disposal
of wastewater.
74. BACKFLOW VALVES
74.1 All wastewater plumbing fixtures and floor drains set below the highest level of the ground surface
adjacent to the premises shall be protected from backflow by an approved wastewater backflow valves.
These backflow valves are to be maintained by the Owner on a regular basis.
75. PLUGGED WASTEWATER SERVICES
75.1 When a sewer blockage occurs, an Owner shall first contact the Town so the main sewer line can be
inspected for blockages.
75.2 If the obstruction is determined to be located in the sewer main the Town shall be responsible for all
costs incurred with respect to the investigation, and the removal of the obstruction. Where the obstruction
is located between the sewer main and the residence, the Owner of the property shall be solely
responsible for the costs of the investigation and removal of the obstruction in the service lateral.
76. TREES AND ROOTS
76.1 No person shall plant deep rooting trees such as willow, poplar or elm within 6 metres of any public utility
service line.
76.2 Non-deep rooting vegetation shall be allowed to be planted within 2 metres of any public utility service
line.
76.3 If it is determined that a blockage in a private sewer connection is caused by a tree located on Town
property, the Town will clear the blockage and either place the sewer on a root-cutting maintenance
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
program to ensure that the roots are kept clear, re-line or repair the sewer pipe, or remove the tree at
the Town's expense.
76.4 If it is determined that a blockage is in the Town sewer main or any other part of the Town's wastewater
sewer system is caused by tree roots extending from trees located on private property, the Town will, at
the Property Owner's expense, clear the blockage and either place the sewer on a root-cutting
maintenance program, re-line or repair the sewer pipe, or remove the tree(s).
77. CONNECTION TO WASTEWATER SEWER
77.1 No weeping tile, sump pump or eaves trough downspout system shall be connected to any wastewater
sewer unless approved in writing by the Town. All commercial recreational vehicle dump connections
must be approved by the Town in writing, and shall not be operated until such approval has been
obtained. Residential recreational vehicle dump connections are not permitted.
78. STORM WATER / GROUND WATER DISCHARGE TO WASTEWATER SEWER
78.1 No person shall discharge, or cause to be discharged, storm water, surface water, ground water, roof
run-off, subsurface drainage, or cooling water to any wastewater sewer, unless:
a. upon the application of the Owner the Town determines that exceptional conditions prevent
compliance with the foregoing provisions and authorizes such discharge; and
b. the discharge is in accordance with a validated wastewater discharge dewatering permit as issued
by the Town.
79. PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES IN WASTEWATER
79.1 Only domestic wastewater is permitted to be disposed into the wastewater system. No Person shall
discharge or permit to be discharged into the wastewater sewer system any substance including but not
limited to:
a. Any solid or viscous substance capable of causing obstruction, or other interference with the
operation of the wastewater system, including and not limited to dangerous goods, hazardous waste,
biological waste, combustible waste, biomedical waste, reactive waste, elemental mercury,
prescription or illegal drugs, PCBs, pesticides, radioactive materials, hair, grease, oil, cigarettes,
ashes, cinders, sand, salt, potters clay, resin, mud, straw, metal, glass, rags, feathers, tar, plastics,
wood, grass clippings, insoluble shavings, asphalt, creosote, bone, hide, eggshells, meat and fat
trimmings or waste, baking dough, chemical residues, spent grain and hops, whole food, garbage,
paint residues, cat box litter, animal tissues, manure, blood, sharps, cement, sump waste, or grease
trap waste;
b. Wastewater having a pH lower than 6.0 or higher than 10.5, or having any other corrosive property
capable of causing damage or hazard to structures, equipment, and wastewater treatment processes;
and
c. Wastewater containing Antimony, Arsenic, Barium, Boron, Cadmium, Chromium, Chlorinated
Hydrocarbons, Copper, Cyanide, Lead, Manganese, and Mercury.
d. Wastewater containing hydrogen sulphide, carbon disulphide, reduced sulphur compounds, amines
or ammonia;
e. Wastewater containing dyes or colouring materials which may or could pass through a wastewater
treatment plant and discolour the wastewater effluent;
f. Wastewater above 40 degrees Celsius;
g. Any substance which:
i.
is or may become harmful to any recipient water course or collection system or part thereof
or will cause a violation or noncompliance event in the operating approval for the Wastewater
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
Treatment Plant
ii.
may interfere with the proper operation or maintenance of the Wastewater system, disposal
of bio-solids, or any wastewater treatment process or cause damage to the wastewater
works or Wastewater Treatment Plant;
iii.
is grit removed from commercial or industrial premises including but not limited to grit
removed from car washing establishments, garages and restaurant sumps or from
interceptors; and
iv.
is discharge in diluted amounts that will form layers upon interaction with other wastewater.
80. DISCHARGE OF PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES
80.1 Any person responsible for or aware of the discharge of prohibited substances in the wastewater system
shall immediately report to the Town in order that the necessary precautions can be taken to minimize
the deleterious effects of the discharge. Such person must also make other required reports to Alberta
Environment and Parks and any other governing body.
80.2 If testing of wastewater shows that it is noncompliant with this Bylaw, the Town may direct the Owner to
comply with the Bylaw and may, in addition, direct the Owner at its expense to install such monitoring
and recording equipment as the Town deems necessary and to provide to the Town the results of said
monitoring as required.
80.3 Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of Section 78, 79, 80 and 82 shall, in addition to any
penalty for infraction of this Bylaw outlined in Schedule A, be liable to and shall on demand pay to the
Town all costs of monitoring, sampling, testing, and removing any contamination resulting from the
discharging of any such substances into a wastewater sewer, and for any other amount for which the
Town may be held liable because of such contamination.
81. DENTAL WASTE AMALGAM SEPARATOR
81.1 Every Owner or operator of premises from which Dental Amalgam may be discharged, which waste may
directly or indirectly enter a sewer, shall:
a. install in any piping system at its premises that connects directly or indirectly to a sewer, Dental
Amalgam Separators with at least 95% removal efficiency in amalgam weight and which are certified
as compliant with ISO 11143 - "Dental Equipment: Amalgam Separators", as amended;
b. operate and maintain all Dental Amalgam Separators in good working order and according to the
manufacturer's recommendations;
c. provide an approved monitoring point which is readily and easily accessible at all times for inspection;
and
d. provide to the Inspector on request a maintenance schedule and record of maintenance for each
installed Dental Amalgam Separator.
82. GREASE, OIL, & SOLIDS INTERCEPTION
82.1 Every Owner or operator of premises containing a restaurant, light or heavy duty vehicle
equipment/repair or auto body shop, petroleum service station, or vehicle/equipment washing
establishment, shall when in the opinion of the Town it is necessary to do so:
a. install an Interceptor or filter for the removal from wastewater of grease, oil, solids or other harmful
substance;
b. make available to the Inspector upon request a maintenance schedule and record of maintenance
for the Interceptor or filter; and
c. shall keep and make available to the Inspector upon request a two-year record of documentary proof
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
of Interceptor clean-out and the disposal of oil, grease, solids and sediments.
82.2 All Interceptors shall be designed by a professional engineer and approved by the Town and shall be
located so as to be readily and easily accessible for cleaning and inspection and shall be maintained by
the Owner at the Owner's expense in continuously efficient operation at all times. The Interceptors shall
be installed in compliance with the most current requirements of the Building Code and the Canadian
Standards Association and shall not be modified or tampered within any manner which will affect the
intended use and performance.
82.3 No person shall:
a. discharge emulsifiers into the sewer system ahead of an Interceptor; or
b. use enzymes, bacteria, solvents, hot water or other agents to facilitate the passage of oil and grease
through a grease interceptor.
82.4 Should any blockage of the wastewater sewer system be caused by reason of failure, omission, or
neglect of an Owner, to comply strictly with the provisions of this Bylaw, the Owner shall, in addition to
any penalty for infraction of this Bylaw outlined in Schedule A, be liable to and shall on demand pay the
Town for all costs of clearing such blockage and for any other amount for which the Town may be
required to pay or be held liable for because of such blockage.
83. OWNER SELF-MONITORING
83.1 The Owner shall, at its own expense, complete any monitoring, sampling, and testing of any discharge
to a wastewater system as required by the Town, and shall provide the results to the Town in a form
specified by the Town.
83.2 Any Owner who exceeds the discharge limits in this Bylaw shall submit an environmental plan to the
satisfaction of the Town, at the Owner's expense, which will detail the steps necessary to change their
discharge characteristics to the standards required under the provisions of this Bylaw.
84. SAMPLING MANHOLES
84.1 Manhole(s) may be required depending on the type of development and in accordance with Town Design
Standards, as amended, in locations that are accessible to the Town, on all wastewater service
connections to premises such as but not limited to:
a. Industrial - Oil related industries, dairies, breweries, packing plants, processing plants, feed mills,
manufacturing plants, fabricating plants, painting shops;
b. Commercial - shopping centers, strip malls, warehouses, grocery stores, heavy machine repair,
welding shops, automobile repair, service stations, car washes, restaurants, paint stores, hotels,
motels, dry cleaners, laundries; and
c. At the Town's discretion: institutional, high density condos, apartments, funeral homes, churches,
and schools.
84.2 Such manholes may be constructed by the Owner, or by the Town at the Owner's cost, and shall be
maintained by the Owner so as to be safe and accessible at all times.
85. DISCONNECTION OF SEWER
85.1 Where wastewater that:
a. is hazardous or creates an immediate danger to any person;
b. endangers or interferes with the operation of the wastewater collection and wastewater treatment
system; or
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
c. causes or is capable of causing an adverse effect;
d. is discharged to the wastewater collection system, the Inspector may, in addition to any other remedy
available, remove, disconnect, plug or shut off the sewer line discharging the unacceptable
wastewater into the wastewater collection system or take such other action as is necessary to prevent
such wastewater from entering the wastewater collection system.
85.2 The wastewater may be prevented from being discharged into the wastewater collection system until
evidence satisfactory to the Inspector has been produced to ensure that no further discharge of
hazardous wastewater will be made to the wastewater collection system.
85.3 Where the Town takes action pursuant to Section 85.1, the Inspector may by notice in writing advise the
Owner or occupier of the premises from which the wastewater was being discharged, of the cost of
taking such action and the Owner or occupier, as the case may be, shall forthwith reimburse the Town
for all such costs which were incurred.
86. PRIVATE WASTEWATER SYSTEM
86.1 Where a wastewater sewer is not available for connection as required under the provisions of Section
Error! Reference source not found., the building wastewater sewer shall be connected to a private
wastewater disposal system complying with the provisions of this Bylaw, the Building Code, all applicable
provincial legislation and regulations, and such additional requirements as may be imposed by the Town.
The Owner shall operate and maintain the private wastewater disposal facilities at no expense to the
Town.
86.2 After the Owner has connected to the wastewater sewer system as required by Section Error!
Reference source not found., the Owner shall, within 60 days of the date of connection to the
wastewater sewer system, dispose of all waste appropriately and remove any septic tanks, cesspools
and similar private wastewater disposal facilities and reclaim the site with clean native soil to the
satisfaction of the Town and as per Alberta Environment and Parks regulations.
87. LOW PRESSURE SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM
87.1 In those parts of Town served by low pressure sanitary system (LPSS), Property Owners, contractors
and their respective representatives shall comply with the LPSS specifications set out in the Town's
Design Standards, as amended.
88. HAULED WASTEWATER
88.1 Hauled wastewater will only be accepted from within the corporate boundaries of the Town of Whitecourt.
Other areas may be included through a partnership or other agreements.
88.2 Notwithstanding Section 88.1 the Town may accept hauled wastewater in emergency situations.
88.3 No person shall discharge or permit the discharge of hauled wastewater at any location other than a
hauled wastewater discharge location approved by the Town. Permits to discharge hauled wastewater
are available at the Town Office.
88.4 Any person that proposes to discharge hauled wastewater at the Town Wastewater Treatment Plant
must:
a. apply for and receive a Hauled Wastewater Permit issued by the Town within 48 hours prior to
disposal; and
b. enter into and comply with the requirements of the Hauled Wastewater Permit established by the
Town.
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
PART 5 - STORM WATER UTILITY
89. STORM WATER MANHOLES
89.1 A building storm water sewer that is connected to the Town's storm water sewer shall be equipped with
a main cleanout with a minimum diameter of 100 millimetres, located not more than 25 metres from
property line. The main cleanout shall be located as close as practical to the point where the storm water
sewer leaves the building and in such a manner that the opening is readily accessible and has sufficient
clearance (2 metres) for effective cleaning. The building storm water sewer from cleanout to property
line is to be as straight as possible. A maximum of one 45° bend is permitted for the cleanout and a
maximum of two additional 45° bends may be used between the cleanout and property line. The total of
the angles of all bends shall not exceed 90°.
90. BACKFLOW PREVENTERS
90.1 All weeping tile and storm water fixtures set below the level of the highest ground surface elevation
adjacent to the premises shall be protected from backflow by an approved storm water backflow valve.
These backflow preventers are to be maintained by the Owner on a regular basis.
91. TREES AND ROOTS
91.1 No person shall plant deep rooting trees such as willow, poplar or elm within 6 metres of any public utility
service line.
91.2 Non-deep rooting vegetation shall be allowed to be planted within 2 metres of any public utility service
line.
91.3 If it is determined that a blockage in a private storm water sewer service is caused by a tree located on
Town property, the Town will clear the blockage and either place the sewer on a root- cutting
maintenance program, re-line or repair the sewer pipe, or remove the tree at the Town's expense.
91.4 If it is determined that a blockage in the Town's storm water sewer main or any other part of the Town
storm water sewer system is caused by tree roots extending from trees located on private property, the
Town will, at the Property Owner's expense, clear the blockage and either place the sewer on a root-
cutting maintenance program, re-line or repair the sewer pipe, or remove the trees.
92. PRIVATE STORM WATER SEWER SYSTEMS
92.1 Storm water sewers installed on industrial, commercial or institutional property for the purposes of
collecting storm water and carrying it into the storm water sewers shall be equipped with an Interceptor.
The installation of catch basins and Interceptors on private property shall be engineered and to the
approval of the Town of Whitecourt.
92.2 Interceptors will be required for any facilities or properties where there is a risk of environmental
contamination, such as petroleum service stations.
93. PROHIBITED STORM WATER SYSTEM USE
93.1 No person shall discharge, or cause to be discharged cooling water from any industrial process, washing
or flushing of tanks or related motorized vehicles to a storm water sewer, unless:
the discharge is in accordance with a validated storm water discharge dewatering permit; and all
applicable provincial legislation and regulations.
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
93.2 No person shall discharge, deposit or permit any of the following into any pipe, main conduit, manhole,
street inlet, gutter or aperture draining into the storm water system:
a. any deleterious substance; industrial waste; domestic waste; non-domestic waste; wastewater;
trucked liquid waste; pool or hot tub water; mud, sand, silt, or grit; any flammable liquid or explosive
material; solvent or petroleum derivative including but not limited to gasoline, naphtha or fuel oil; any
pesticides, insecticide or fungicides; radioactive material; septage or animal wastes.
b. any corrosive, noxious or malodorous gas, liquid or substance which either singly or by interaction
with other wastes, is capable of:
i.
creating a public nuisance or hazard to life;
ii.
preventing human entry into a storm water sewer or pump station; or
iii.
causing damage to the storm water system.
c. any other substance which in the Town's opinion may cause impairment of or damage to the
environment, human health, safety, property, or Town infrastructure.
93.3 No person shall obstruct or restrict a storm water sewer or the flow therein.
93.4 Only storm water is permitted to be disposed of into the storm water system. No person shall discharge
water to any storm water sewer or to a watercourse, containing any substance which, in the opinion of
the Town:
a. is or may become harmful to any recipient watercourse or storm water system or part thereof;
b. may interfere with the proper operation or maintenance of the storm water system, or;
c. may become a health or safety hazard to persons, property, animals, vegetation and the environment.
94. DISCHARGE OF PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES IN STORM WATER SYSTEM
94.1 Should any testing of storm water show that it is noncompliant with this Bylaw, the Town may direct the
Owner to comply with the Bylaw and may, in addition, direct the Owner at its expense to install such
monitoring and recording equipment as the Town deems necessary and supply the results of said
monitoring as required. The cost of all sampling and analysis shall be at the Owner's expense.
94.2 Any person who contravenes any of the provisions of Section 93 shall, in addition to any penalty for
infraction of this Bylaw as outlined in Schedule A, be liable to and shall on demand pay to the Town all
costs of monitoring, sampling, testing, and removing any contamination resulting from the discharging
of any such materials into a storm water sewer, and for any other amount for which the Town may be
held liable because of such contamination.
95. TOWN STORM WATER SEWER USE
95.1 Town forces may discharge water into a storm water sewer or watercourse resulting from non-domestic
activities such as but not limited to:
a. hydrant & water main flushing (de-chlorination may be required); or
b. firefighting activities.
96. DISCONNECTION OF STORM WATER SEWER
96.1 Where storm water which:
a. is hazardous or creates an immediate danger to any person or the environment;
b. endangers or interferes with the operation of the storm water system; or
c. causes or is capable of causing an adverse effect;
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
is discharged to the storm water system, the Town may, in addition to any other remedy available,
remove, disconnect, plug or seal off the storm water sewer line discharging the unacceptable water into
the storm water system or take such other action as is necessary to prevent such water from entering
the storm water system.
96.2 The water may be prevented from being discharged into the storm water system until evidence
satisfactory to the Town has been produced to assure that no further discharge of hazardous water will
be made to the storm water system.
96.3 Where the Town takes action pursuant to Section 96.1, the Town may by notice in writing advise the
Property Owner or occupier of the premises from which the water was being discharged, of the cost of
taking such action and the Property Owner or occupier, as the case may be, shall forthwith reimburse
the Town for all such costs.
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
PART 6 - GENERAL
97. REMAINDER ENFORCEABLE
97.1 Should any portion of this Bylaw be found by any court to be void or unenforceable, then it is the intention
of Council that the remainder of this Bylaw shall remain in full force and effect, notwithstanding such
ruling.
98. EFFECTIVE DATE
98.1 This bylaw shall come into effect on January 1, 2020
99. REPEAL OF PREVIOUS BYLAW
99.1 Bylaw No. 411, and all amendments thereto including Bylaws 427, 652, 679, 728, 754, 962, 976 and
1098, is hereby repealed effective January 1, 2020.
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
SCHEDULE A
A
VIOLATION PENALTIES
The following Schedule A outlines the penalties that may be charged to a Property Owner if they are found
to be in violation of any section of this bylaw. Included are water system penalties, wastewater system
penalties, storm water sewer system penalties, and additional penalties not encompassed by the
aforementioned. Penalties for the first offence are outlined below:
A.1
WATER SYSTEM PENALTIES
Description of Item
Relevant Section
Penalty
A.1.1 Unlawful use of water
Sections 29, 45, 54
$1,000
A.1.2 Water Restrictions not adhered
Section 42
$250
A.1.3 Contamination of water supply system
Section 48
$5,000
A.1.4 Meter interference and appurtenances
Section 56
$500
A.2
WASTEWATER SYSTEM PENALTIES
Description of Item
Relevant Section
Penalty
A.2.1 Discharge of wastewater to any storm
water sewer system
Section 73
$2,000
A.2.2 Interference or obstruction of the
wastewater system
Section 79
$500
A.2.3 Prohibited Substances in wastewater
system
Sections 79, 81, 82
$3,000
A.2.4 Use of the Town's Sanitary Dump
Station without approval
Section 88
$1,000
A.2.5 Discharge of Wastewater into the
Town's wastewater system other
than at an approved location
Section 88
$1,000
A.2.6 Refusal to allow an Inspector onto a
property for ensuring compliance
with this bylaw.
Section 32
$1,000
A.3
STORM WATER SEWER SYSTEM PENALTIES
Description of Item
Relevant Section
Penalty
A.3.1 Interference or obstruction of the storm
water sewer system
Sections 93, 94
$500
A.3.2 Prohibited Substances in storm water
sewer system
Section 79, 94
$3,000
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
A.4
ADDITIONAL PENALTIES
Any work carried out by the Town and any costs incurred, will be invoiced to the Owner, and in default of
payment the Town may recover the same as debt owed to the Town.
a) $250 for any offence for which a fine is not otherwise established in this Bylaw;
b) A penalty of two (2) times applicable fine as provided in this Bylaw shall be levied against an Owner who
commits, for a second time, any infraction of this Bylaw, providing that such infraction is committed within
one (1) year of the committing of the first infraction;
c) A penalty of three (3) times applicable fine as provided in this Bylaw shall be levied against an Owner who
commits, for a third or subsequent time, any infraction of this Bylaw, providing that such infraction is
committed within one (1) year of the committing of the first Infraction; and
d) Administrative surcharge if payment of penalty charged is not received by the Town within thirty (30) days
of date of issuance of specified penalty, $50 or 20% of the Municipal Tag whichever amount is greater.
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
BYLAW NO. 1511
OF THE TOWN OF WHITECOURT
IN THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA
UTILITY BYLAW 1511
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION
The following amendments were passed by Whitecourt Town Council and have been included in this
Office Consolidation for convenience. Reference should be made to the original bylaws for legal
interpretation and accuracy.
Bylaw No.
Final Reading Date
Amendment
Bylaw 1511-1
April 27, 2020
COVID-19 Penalty Waivers - Clauses 14.4.b
and 18 - valid only between April 1, 2020 - June
30, 2020
Bylaw 1511-2
November 28, 2022
Clauses 29.7 & 29.8 re service connections;
32(2) re Inspector able to enter to determine
compliance with bylaw; Schedule A2.6
Bylaw 1511-3
November 24, 2025
Updates to meet current legislation, ensure
current practices align with Land Use Bylaw and
Design Standards; miscellaneous housekeeping
items
OFFICE CONSOLIDATION