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## THE CORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF TELKWA SEWER RATES, REGULATIONS AND CONNECTIONS BYLAW NO. 796, 2026
A Bylaw to provide for the establishment of rates, regulations and connections for the sewer distribution system within the Village of Telkwa.
WHEREAS pursuant to the Community Charter, a Council may by bylaw regulate, prohibit and impose requirements in relation to municipal services;
AND WHEREAS pursuant to the Community Charter a Council may impose a fee in respect of a municipal service;
NOW THEREFORE the Council of The Corporation of the Village of Telkwa, in open meeting assembled, enacts as follows:
## 1. DEFINITIONS:
In this Bylaw, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words and terms shall have the meanings hereinafter assigned to them:
"BOD" means biochemical oxygen demand.
"CAO" means the Chief Administrative Officer appointed by Council for the Village pursuant to the Community Charter.
"Collector" means the person appointed as Collector pursuant to the Community Charter.
"Corporate Officer" means the person appointed by Council as the Corporate Officer of he Village pursuant to the Community Charter and includes any person acting under the delegated authority of the Corporate Office
"Council" means the Council of the Village of Telkwa.
"Dwelling Unit" means one (1) or more rooms in a Building used or intended to be used as a permanent full-time Residence by an individual or a group of individuals living together in common occupancy.
"Engineer" means the person or persons designated from time to time by the CAO, or their designate, to fulfill the duties assigned by this Bylaw.
"Environmental Health Officer" means the person appointed by the Ministry of Health to enforce the Health Act or any other act of the Province relating to public health.
"Financial Officer" means the person appointed by Council as the Financial Officer of the Village of Telkwa pursuant to the Community Charter and includes any person acting under the delegated authority of the Financial Officer.
"Garbage" means solid wastes from the domestic and commercial preparation, cooking and dispensing of food, and from the handling, storage, and sale of produce.
"Noxious Waste" means injurious or harmful liquid or substance that may damage the sewer system.
"Owner" or "Person" includes natural persons, corporations, associations, or other legal entities, and their agents, heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns as applicable.
«Parcel" means a lot or other area of land that is legally created and separately registered under the Land Title Act and includes a strata lot in a bare land strata plan established under the Strata Property Act.
"pH" means the measure of the acidity or alkalinity of wastewater or sewage, expressed on a scale from 0 to 14, as determined by standard laboratory procedures recognized by the Village.
"Premises" means a building or part of a building located on a parcel and used or intended to be used for residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional purposes.
"Rate" means the sum of money payable by the owner or occupier of real property that is connected to the sewer system by means of a sewer drain and a service connection, as set out in the Village of Telkwa Fees and Charges Bylaw, as amended from time to time.
"Service Connection" means the pipe extending from a municipal sewer main to the property line of a parcel, providing a connection point to the municipal system.
"Sewage Treatment Plant" means any arrangement of devices and structures used for treatment of sewage.
"Sewer" means all municipal sewer mains, pumping stations, treatment works, and related appurtenances that form part of the Village's sewer system, excluding service connections.
"Sewer Connection Charges" means all fees and charges associated with the installation of a sewer service connection, including inspection, administration, and installation costs, as set out in the Village of Telkwa Fees and Charges Bylaw, as amended from time to time.
"Sewer Drain" means the private pipe extending from the property line to a building or structure on the property, including any required cleanouts, inspection chambers, or appurtenances, used to convey sewage from the building to the service connection.
"Sewer System" means all sewerage works owned, operated, or maintained by the Village, including sewer mains, pumping stations, treatment plants, lagoons, sewer outfalls, and other appurtenances located within municipal rights-of-way or easements, but excluding service connections and private building drains, which are separately defined.
"Suspended Solids" means solids that either float on the surface of or are in suspension in water, sewage, or other liquids, and which are removable by acceptable laboratory procedures set forth in "Standard Methods."
"Toxic Substances" means any substance whether gaseous, liquid or solid which when discharged to the sewer system in sufficient concentrations may be hazardous to sewer maintenance and personnel, interfere with the sewage treatment process, inhibit aquatic life or may create a hazard to recreation in the receiving water to which the effluent from the sewage treatment plant or other sewerage works is discharged.
"Vacant Commercial Building" means a commercial premises with an active water and/or sewer service that is shut off and not currently used for any commercial activity. It does not include premises used solely for storage or businesses temporarily closed for three months or less.
"Village" means the Village of Telkwa.
"Village Working Day" means any day the Village Office is open for business, excluding weekends and statutory holidays.
## 2. APPLICATION FOR SERVICE
The following requirements govern the application process for connection to the Village sewer system.
## a) Application Requirement
- i) A connection to the Village sewer system may only be made after a completed application has been submitted and all applicable fees and charges have been paid. The application can be obtained from the Village Office.
2. ї) The owner or occupier of any parcel to which a sewer service connection can be made, or has been made, and upon which a building or structure is situated, must connect that building or structure to the sewer system, except as provided under subsection 2(a)(iii).
3. iii) Dwellings existing prior to September 1, 1994, that are operating under a valid disposal permit issued by the Ministry of Health are not required to connect to the sewer system until such time as the Environmental Health Officer determines that the septic system is malfunctioning.
## b) Submission, Approval, and Compliance
- 1) The owner or occupier requesting a sewer service connection must submit a completed application obtained from the Village Office. The application must include all information required by the Village, including property description, proposed service connection location, and any other details necessary for review.
2. il) A sewer service connection will not be provided until a properly completed application has been received, all applicable rates, fees, and charges have been paid, and any required inspections have been completed and approved by the Engineer.
3. ili) If an owner of a parcel neglects, omits, or refuses to connect to the sewer system as required under this Bylaw, Council may, by resolution, serve written notice requiring compliance within sixty (60) days. Failure to comply within that period constitutes an infraction of this Bylaw.
4. iv) A building permit will not be issued, and a sewer service connection will not be installed until all application requirements have been satisfied and approved by the Engineer.
## 3. SEWER SERVICE INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
The following requirements and restrictions apply to the construction, inspection, and connection of sewer service drains.
## a) Construction of Sewer Drains
All sewer drains shall be constructed of infiltration-proof material approved by the Engineer. This includes any inspection chamber leading from the "wye" on the service connection to ground level.
The internal diameter of any sewer drain shall be not less than 100 mm (4 inches), except in the case of a low-pressure line, where the line shall be not less than 50 mm (2 inches), unless otherwise specified by the Engineer. For commercial, industrial, or other non-residential buildings, the Engineer shall determine the required internal diameter.
- b) Inspection
It is the responsibility of the owner or occupier, or of the plumber or contractor carrying out the work on behalf of the owner or occupier, to notify the Engineer in writing when the work is ready for inspection. No sewer drain work shall be covered until it has received approval from the Engineer.
Should the Engineer find that any sewer drain work is defective or not ready for inspection, the owner or occupier, plumber, or contractor shall provide a further notice for inspection upon completion or correction of the work.
- c) Installation Standards
- i) Sewer drains shall be laid to an even slope of not less than 1:50 (1/4 inch per foot) for lines up to 150 mm (6 inches), and not less than 1:100 (1/8 inch per foot) for lines 200 mm (8 inches). In exceptional circumstances, a slope of 1:100 may be approved under the direction of the Engineer.
3. ii) Sewer drains shall be laid not less than 0.5 meters (20 inches) below the finished ground surface, measured to the top of the pipe, and shall be adequately protected from freezing.
4. iii) Drains shall be laid concentric to adjacent pipes, with joints flush, even, and free of internal obstruction.
5. iv) Manufacturer-provided couplings, such as for plastic pipes, shall be installed according to the manufacturer's specifications.
- v) Cement mortar, asbestos cement, and oakum joints are not permitted. Belland-spigot pipe shall be laid with the spigot end facing the direction of flow.
7. vi) Where drains are laid over filled ground or unstable soil, the Engineer may require cast iron pipe.
8. vii) A 100 mm (4 inch) cleanout shall be provided at the downstream end of the sewer drain within the property line, suitably capped, protected, and marked for reference, with elevations determined prior to construction.
9. vili) Sewer drains shall not bear on planks, timber, rock, or other unyielding objects, nor shall such objects be placed against the pipe during backfilling.
10. ix) Where drains are near trees or shrubs whose roots may penetrate the joints, the Engineer may require special joint material.
- x) Sewer drains shall be bedded in 150 mm (6 inches) of sand and covered with a minimum of 300 mm (12 inches) of sand over the pipe. Select site material may be used with prior approval.
- d) Connection Requirements
- i) Each lot or potential lot must be independently and separately connected to the sewer system.
- ii) Every building sewer within the 200-Year Flood Plain shall include a backwater valve installed in accordance with the specifications of the Engineer, unless the Engineer determines it is not required due to site elevation.
- ili) All work must be carried out in accordance with the British Columbia Building Code.
## e) Installation Restrictions under Frost/High Water
- i) The Village may refuse to extend mains or install service pipes to an owner or work would workers rope in ere fear are able is, or where such
2. il) If Council approves a customer request to proceed under such conditions, the customer must provide a deposit in accordance with Section 4(d) prior to the commencement of construction.
3. iii) Any difference between the deposit and the actual cost of construction shall be reconciled upon completion, with the balance either refunded to or charged to the customer.
## 4. INSPECTION
All sewer service connections must be inspected by the Engineer prior to backfilling. Inspections will occur between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on Village working days, with at least forty-eight (48) hours' notice provided by the applicant.
## 5. USER RATES
This section governs the interpretation, imposition, billing, and collection of sewer user rates and charges.
- a) Interpretation of Rate Classes
- i) Each Dwelling Unit shall be charged the applicable sewer rate set out in the Village of Telkwa Fees and Charges Bylaw, as amended from time to time.
3. ii) Where a parcel contains more than one Dwelling Unit, each Dwelling Unit shall be charged separately.
4. ili) Where a premises includes more than one use, the highest applicable rate shall apply unless otherwise determined by the Village.
5. iv) Where a rate class is based on Floor Area, the applicable rate shall be based on the total Floor Area of the premises.
## b) Collection and Imposition of Rates
All sewer rates, fees, and charges imposed under this Bylaw shall be collected by the Collector or the Financial Officer. Sewer user charges and any applicable discharge rates are set out in the Village of Telkwa Fees and Charges Bylaw, as amended from time to time.
## c) Classification
Each parcel of land shall be classified in accordance with the classifications set out in the Village of Telkwa Fees and Charges Bylaw, as amended from time to time, including applicable sewer user and discharge rate schedules.
All parcels discharging non-domestic wastewater shall pay the applicable sewer user and discharge rates for the relevant classification.
## d) Billing, Payment, and Penalties
- i) Sewer rates shall be levied annually and are due on or before the property tax payment deadline established by the Collector or Financial Officer.
Late payments shall be assessed as follows:
- a. If all or part of the sewer rates for the current taxation year remain unpaid after July 2nd, a penalty equal to 5% of the unpaid portion will be added. When July 2nd falls on a weekend, the penalty date will be adjusted to the following working day (non-statutory holiday).
2. ii) If all or part of the sewer rates remain unpaid after September 15th, an additional penalty equal to 5% of the unpaid portion will be added. This penalty is separate from the July penalty. When September 15th falls on a weekend, the penalty date will be adjusted to the following working day (non-statutory holiday).
Residential and commercial parcel owners shall be billed directly and are responsible for payment.
Parcels not connected to the sewer system and not required to connect under this Bylaw are not required to pay sewer user rates in the Village of Telkwa Fees and Charges Bylaw, as amended from time to time.
## e) Sewer Connection Charges
Every owner of a parcel who applies for a new sewer service connection to the sewer system shall pay, in advance, all applicable sewer connection charges, as set out in the Village of Telkwa Fees and Charges Bylaw, as amended from time to time. Charges may include, but are not limited to, fees for installation, inspection, administration, and any other costs associated with establishing the connection.
## f) Prorated Charges for New Connections
Where a connection is made during the year, the applicable user rate shall begin in the month of final inspection. If the connection is inspected on or before the 15th day of the month, the full monthly rate applies; otherwise, one-half of the monthly rate applies.
The user charge for the remainder of the year shall be paid in advance.
## g) Reclassification of Commercial Properties
An owner seeking reclassification of a commercial property, including to Vacant Commercial Building status, shall contact the Village to request the reclassification. Reclassification may be considered where the property has been unoccupied for a minimum of three months. Supplementary billing may occur following annual billing where reclassification is approved.
## h) Unpaid Billings / Lien Authority
Any charges authorized by this Bylaw which remain unpaid on December 31st of the year in which they are imposed shall form a charge or lien upon the land or real property to which they relate, as provided for in the Village of Telkwa Fees and Charges Bylaw, as amended from time to time, and the Community Charter.
## 6. INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL NON-DOMESTIC DISCHARGES
## a) Applicability
This section applies to all Industrial and Commercial users who discharge wastewater containing process water, wash-down water, or any other nondomestic effluent, and does not apply to premises that discharge only from standard washrooms and sinks.
## b) Metering Requirements
- i) Users subject to this section must install an approved meter and test location as part of their sewer connection.
2. ii) The user is responsible for the initial purchase and installation of the meter and data logger.
3. ili) Upon installation, the meter and data logger become the property of the Village.
- iv) All metering equipment must be located in a place accessible to Village employees at all times.
## c) Measurement of Flow and Sampling
- i) Flows shall be measured and recorded by the approved meter and data logger.
2. ii) BODs and Suspended Solids (SS) concentrations shall be determined using sampling and laboratory testing arranged by the Village.
3. ili) The Village may conduct random sampling, and all results obtained shall be used for billing purposes.
## d) Calculation of Charges
- Sewer user charges for non-domestic discharges shall be based on:
- a. the volume of wastewater discharged, as measured by the approved meter; and
- b. the concentration of BOD, and SS in the effluent, as determined by laboratory analysis.
- її) BODs and SS charges shall be calculated using the formula:
Charge = Flow (m/day) × Concentration (mg/L) × Applicable Rate
- ili) For billing purposes, only the highest applicable charge among Flow, BODs, and Suspended Solids shall be applied.
## e) Fees and Rates
All fees, rates, sampling charges, and flow/BODs/SS rate schedules relating to non-domestic sewer discharges shall be as set out in the Village of Telkwa Fees and Charges Bylaw, as amended from time to time.
## 7. AUTHORIZED PERSONS
- a) All sewer service connections, building sewers, sewer drains, and all work related to the installation, connection, alteration, repair, maintenance, or disconnection of any part of the sewer system shall be carried out only by:
- i) the Village; or
3. ii) a contractor authorized in writing by the Village.
- b) No owner, agent, plumber, contractor, or other person shall install, connect, alter, repair, maintain, or disconnect any sewer service connection, sewer drain, or any part of the sewer system without written authorization from the Village.
- c) Any sewer works constructed or altered without written authorization from the Village shall be deemed unauthorized and unlawful, and may be ordered removed, modified, or disconnected at the owner's or occupier's expense.
## 8. ACCESS
The owner or occupier of any building connected to the sewer system shall, at all reasonable times, allow the Engineer, or any authorized person to enter the parcel for the purpose of inspecting the sewer drains and all related apparatus.
## 9. SERVICE INTERRUPTION AND STOPPAGES
The Village shall not be liable for any interruption or discontinuance of sewer service, whether or not the interruption is caused by the Village, its officers, employees, agents, or contractors.
Owners are responsible, at their sole expense, for maintaining their sewer drains and keeping them free of blockages or other conditions that may interrupt sewer service.
- a) In the event of a blockage, freezing, or other condition that interrupts sewer service, the owner or occupier shall take all necessary steps to clear or repair the issue.
- b) Where an owner believes the cause of a blockage or interruption lies within the Village's service connection, the Village may require the owner or occupier to deposit an amount equal to the estimated cost of excavation and backfilling, or to provide a signed acknowledgement of responsibility, prior to undertaking any work. If the Village's service connection is found to be at fault, the Village shall complete the repair and return any deposit. If no fault is found, the owner or occupier shall pay the actual cost incurred, and any surplus deposit shall be returned. The owner or occupier may inspect the excavation site to verify the condition of the service connection.
- c) Where an owner fails to maintain their sewer drain or to clear a blockage, the Engineer may take any action necessary to restore sewer service. All costs incurred by the Village shall be treated as a charge against the parcel.
## 10. DEMOLITION OF BUILDINGS
When a building or structure within the Village is removed or demolished, it shall be the duty of the owner or occupier or his agent to immediately apply to the office of the Village for a permit to disconnect from the sewer system, at the property line. The Engineer shall then cause such disconnection to be made and forthwith plug the said disconnection at the property line. The fee for such disconnection shall be the actual cost of the work as determined by the Village.
## 11. SEPTIC SERVICES
- a) Where, in the opinion of Council, a sewer service connection is not financially feasible, or where the Engineer determines that a service connection cannot adequately serve a parcel of land, no connection shall be permitted. In such cases, an adequate septic system may be installed only upon receipt of a valid disposal permit or authorization from the applicable regional health authority (e.g., Northern Health). The septic system may remain in use until it is deemed a public health hazard by an Environmental Health Officer, or until an adequate sewer service becomes available.
- b) No septic tank shall be connected to the sewer system, and no person shall permit any sludge or waste from a septic tank to enter the sewer system.
- c) Where a building or structure previously served by a septic system is subsequently connected to the sewer system, the owner or occupier must, within one month of the connection, either:
4. remove the old septic tank(s) and fill the excavations; or
- i) clean out the septic tank(s) and fill with gravel or sand to eliminate any risk of collapse.
6. iii) All removal or filling work must be inspected and approved by the Engineer prior to completion.
## 12. PROHIBITIONS
The following actions are prohibited to protect the integrity and operation of the sewer system.
## a) Unauthorized Work
No person shall construct, alter, repair, or interfere with any part of the sewer system except as authorized in writing by the Engineer.
## b) Prohibited Connections
No person shall connect or permit the connection of, surface water, groundwater, roof leaders, foundation drains, sumps, swimming pool water, or car wash water to the sewer system.
## c) Prohibited Discharges - General
No person shall discharge, or permit the discharge of, any substance that may obstruct, damage, endanger, or impair the sewer system, its operation, or its personnel.
## d) Prohibited Discharges - Specific
Without limiting the generality of subsection (c), the following shall not be discharged into the sewer system:
- i) Flammable, explosive, or corrosive liquids, solids, or gases, including gasoline, naphtha, grease, oils, acids, alkalis, mud, grit, plaster, lime, clay, or similar industrial or trade wastes.
2. Industrial cooling water or water from air-conditioning, cooling, or condensing systems.
3. ili) Liquids or vapours exceeding 65°C.
4. iv) Sewage or wastewater with a pH less than 5.5 or greater than 9.5.
- v) Substances containing toxic or poisonous materials, including but not limited to the following maximum allowable concentrations:
6. vi) Radioactive materials.
7. vii) Solids liable to obstruct flow, including ashes, sand, straw, shavings, rags, plastics, wood, or similar materials, except finely ground garbage properly processed through an approved mechanical device.
8. vili) Sewage, water, or wastes with BOD greater than 500 ppm or suspended solids greater than 600 ppm, except as otherwise permitted.
| Substance | Maximum mg/L |
|-------------------|----------------|
| Arsenic | 1.0 |
| Cadmium | 1.0 |
| Chromium | 5.0 |
| Copper | 2.0 |
| Cyanide | 1.0 |
| Iron | 10.0 |
| Lead | 2.0 |
| Nickel | 3.0 |
| Phenols & Cresols | 1.0 |
| Zinc | 4.0 |
## e) Protective Devices for Industrial or Commercial Premises
Where discharges may contain harmful or noxious waste, the Engineer may require the installation of grease traps, interceptors, neutralizing units, or other protective devices as a condition of issuing a permit. A permit shall not be issued until such devices are approved.
## f) Unauthorized Connections
The Village may disconnect and close any sewer connection made without a permit, at the expense of the owner or occupier.
## 13. OFFENCES AND PENALTIES
Any person found guilty of an infraction of this Bylaw shall be liable, upon summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding Two Thousand Dollars ($2,000) plus costs for each offence. Each day that an infraction continues shall be considered a separate and continuing offence.
## 14. SEVERABILITY
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause or phrase in this bylaw is for any reason held to be invalid by a decision of any Court of competent jurisdiction, the invalid portion shall be severed and the decision that it is invalid shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the Bylaw.
## 15. REPEAL
Pursuant to the Community Charter, the Village of Telkwa Sewer Rates, Regulations and Connections Bylaw No. 556, 2004, including all amendments thereto, is hereby repealed
## 16. CITATION
This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the "Village of Telkwa Sewer Rates, Regulations and Connections Bylaw No. 796, 2026".
READ A FIRST TIME this 24 day of March, 2026. READ A SECOND TIME this 24" day of March, 2026. READ A THIRD TIME this 24" day of March, 2026. ADOPTED this 14* day of April, 2026.
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Leroy Dekens Mayor
abble Joujar Chief Administrative Officer/ Corporate Officer, CMC