Sewerage and Drainage Regulation Bylaw No. 5263, 2023 (consolidated to Amendment 5284, 2023)
West Vancouver, British Columbia
· adopted 2023-10-30
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5687808v1
District of West Vancouver
Sewerage and Drainage Regulation
Bylaw No. 5263, 2023
Effective Date: October 30, 2023
Consolidated for Convenience Only
This is a consolidation of the bylaws below. The amendment bylaws have been
combined with the original bylaw for convenience only. This consolidation is not a
legal document. Certified copies of the original bylaws should be consulted for all
interpretations and applications of the bylaw on this subject.
Amendment Bylaw
Effective Date
Bylaw No. 5284, 2023
January 1, 2024
The bylaw numbers in the margin of this consolidation refer to the bylaws that
amended the parent bylaw (Sewerage and Drainage Regulation Bylaw
No. 5263, 2023). The number of any amending bylaw that has been repealed is
not referred to in this consolidation.
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District of West Vancouver
Sewerage and Drainage Regulation
Bylaw No. 5263, 2023
Table of Contents
Part 1
Citation ................................................................................................. 3
Part 2
Severability ........................................................................................... 3
Part 3
Repeal .................................................................................................. 4
Part 4
Definitions ............................................................................................. 4
Part 5
Interpretation ........................................................................................ 9
Part 6
Scope of the Municipal System ............................................................ 9
Part 7
Service connections ........................................................................... 12
Part 8
Oil, Grease and Grit Interceptors And Sewage Pump Units ............... 17
Part 9
Blockages ........................................................................................... 17
Part 10
Standards for Sewerage Discharges .................................................. 18
Part 11
Standards for Drainage Discharges .................................................... 21
Part 12
Accidental Discharge/ Spill Reporting ................................................. 22
Part 13
Construction Works ............................................................................ 22
Part 14
Inspections ......................................................................................... 23
Part 15
Fees for use of Municipal System ....................................................... 24
Part 16
Remedies, Offences Penalties ........................................................... 26
Part 17
Schedules ........................................................................................... 29
Schedule A - Sewer Meter Base Rates .......................................................... 30
Schedule B - Sewer Meter Volume Rates ...................................................... 31
Schedule C - Service Charges ....................................................................... 32
Schedule D - Prohibited Waste....................................................................... 33
Schedule E - Restricted Waste ....................................................................... 35
Sewerage and Drainage Regulation Bylaw No. 5263, 2023
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District of West Vancouver
Sewerage and Drainage Regulation
Bylaw No. 5263, 2023
A bylaw to establish a municipal sewerage system, a municipal drainage system
and make provision for the usage of these municipal systems.
Previous amendments: Amendment Bylaw 5284.
WHEREAS the Council of The Corporation of the District of West Vancouver
deems it expedient to provide for the regulation and protection of the public
sewerage and drainage systems;
NOW THEREFORE, the Council of The Corporation of the District of West
Vancouver enacts as follows:
Part 1 Citation
This bylaw may be cited as Sewerage and Drainage Regulation Bylaw
No. 5263, 2023.
Part 2 Severability
If a portion of this bylaw is held invalid by a Court of competent
jurisdiction, then the invalid portion must be severed, and the
remainder of this bylaw is deemed to have been adopted without the
severed section, subsection, paragraph, subparagraph, clause, or
phrase.
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Part 3 Repeal
Sewer and Drainage Utility Fee Bylaw No. 4538, 2007 (adopted on
January 14, 2008) and the following amendment bylaws are hereby
repealed:
Amendment Bylaw
Effective Date
Bylaw No. 5190, 2022
Bylaw No. 5152, 2021
Bylaw No. 5094, 2020
Bylaw No. 5038, 2019
Bylaw No. 4998, 2018
Bylaw No. 4956, 2017
Bylaw No. 4924, 2016
Bylaw No. 4860, 2015
Bylaw No. 4822, 2015
Bylaw No. 4820, 2014
Bylaw No. 4773, 2013
Bylaw No. 4742, 2012
Bylaw No. 4705, 2011
Bylaw No. 4665, 2010
Bylaw No. 4623, 2009
Bylaw No. 4588, 2008
Bylaw No. 4585, 2008
January 1, 2023
January 1, 2022
January 1, 2021
January 1, 2020
January 1, 2019
January 1, 2018
December 12, 2016
December 14, 2015
March 2, 2015
December 15, 2014
December 2, 2013
December 3, 2012
December 14, 2011
December 6, 2010
December 18, 2009
December 15, 2008
October 27, 2008
Part 4 Definitions
In the construction and for the purposes of this bylaw the following
words shall have the meanings assigned to them:
"Air" means the atmosphere but, except in a Sewer or a Sewage Facility
or as the context may otherwise require, does not include the atmosphere
inside a human-made enclosure that is not open to the weather;
"Air Pollution" means the presence of Air Contaminants or substances
that substantially alter or impair the usefulness of the Air;
"Air Contaminant" means an "air contaminant" as defined in the
Environmental Management Act;
"Combined Sewerage" means a mix of Domestic Sewerage & Drainage;
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"Council" means the Council of The Corporation of the District of West
Vancouver;
"Director of Finance" means the Director of Financial Services, or their
designated representative.
"District" means the District of West Vancouver;
"Domestic Sewerage" means:
(a)
human excreta, and
(b)
waterborne Waste from the preparation and consumption of
food and drink, dishwashing, bathing, showering, and
general household cleaning and laundry;
"Drainage" means runoff or water otherwise resulting from rainfall,
snowfall, and snowmelt;
"Drainage Service Connection" means the pipe extending from the
property line to the Municipal Drainage System;
"Engineer" means the Director of Engineering & Transportation Services
of the District and shall include his or her duly appointed assistants or
representatives;
"Environmentally Sensitive Area" means a site or area that already has,
or with remedial action could achieve, desirable environmental attributes
contributing to the retention and/or creation of wildlife habitat, soil stability,
water retention or recharge, vegetative cover, and similar vital ecological
functions.
"Fixture" means a sink, shower, tub, toilet, receptacle, appliance,
apparatus, or other device that discharges Sewerage, Drainage or clear-
water Waste and includes Floor Drains and Drainage catch basins;
"Floor Drain" means a Fixture used to receive water from the floor of a
building;
"Force Main" means sewerage infrastructure in which sewage is moved
by pressure;
"Garbage" means solid Waste other than feces;
"Grab Sample" means a sample collected at one particular time and
place;
"Grease" means an organic substance recoverable by procedures set
forth in Standard Methods and includes but is not limited to hydrocarbons,
esters, fats, oils, waxes, and high molecular carboxylic acids;
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"GVS&DD" means the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage
District;
"Hazardous Waste Regulation" means the Hazardous Waste
Regulation as amended from time to time pursuant to the Environmental
Management Act;
"High Potential Contaminant Release Area" means an area where
activities occur that have a high potential to release Prohibited Waste or
Restricted Waste and includes:
(a)
the loading dock of a building and the area within one metre
of the loading dock;
(b)
the area within two metres of any device used to compact
refuse;
(c)
auto wrecker storage yards;
(d)
the area where commercial vehicles or equipment are
washed and the surrounding two metres in each direction;
(e)
the area where the bulk transfer of materials takes place and
the surrounding two metres in each direction; and
(f)
any other area designated by the Engineer.
"Building Inspector" means the Building Inspector, Plumbing Inspector,
Electrical Inspector, Manager of Permits and Inspections, Supervisor of
Inspections, Bylaw Officer, or other persons designated by Council to act
in place of the Building Inspector;
"Interceptor" means a plumbing device designed to intercept most oil,
Grease and grit before they enter the Municipal Works;
"Low Pressure System" means a private sanitary sewerage system
consisting of on-site, privately-owned, operated and maintained sewage
pumps, and service pipes located on site and within District rights of way
that connect to a District-owned, operated and maintained low pressure
sewage Force Main.
"Municipal Drainage System" means the system operated and
maintained by the District for the purpose of transporting, disposing,
treating, using, or discharging Drainage, and includes the Municipal
Drainage Works;
"Municipal Drainage Works" means the mains, storm sewers, Service
Connections, ditches, culverts and Drainage pump stations and other
works used for the Municipal Drainage System;
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"Municipal Sewerage System" means the system operated and
maintained by the District for the purpose of transporting Sewerage to a
treatment facility, and includes the Municipal Sewerage Works;
"Municipal Sewerage Works" means the mains, sewers, Service
Connections and other works used for the Municipal Sewerage System;
"Municipal Works" means the Municipal Sewerage Works and the
Municipal Drainage Works;
"Municipal System" means the Municipal Drainage System, the Municipal
Sewerage System or both;
"Non-Domestic Waste" means all Sewerage except Domestic
Sewerage, Drainage, and Septic Tank Waste;
"Occupancy" means the use or intended use of a building or part of it for
the shelter or support of persons, animals or property;
"Owner" means owner as defined in the Community Charter;
"Plumbing System" means an assembly of pipes, fittings, Fixtures, Traps
and appurtenances that is used to convey Sewerage, clear-water Waste
or Drainage from a building or property to the Municipal Sewerage System
or the Municipal Drainage System;
"Private Sewerage Works" means the pipe and other works for the
disposal of Sewerage extending from the building or structure on the
property to the Sewerage Service Connection;
"Private Drainage Works" means the pipe and other works for the
disposal of Drainage extending from the building or structure on the
property to the Drainage Service Connection;
"Private Works" means the Private Sewerage Works and Private
Drainage Works;
"Professional Engineer" means a person who is registered or licensed
to practice as a Professional Engineer under the Professional Governance
Act;
"Prohibited Waste" is listed in Schedule D.
"Restricted Waste" is listed in Schedule E.
"Sanitary Waste" means sewerage that contains human feces, urine,
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blood, or body fluids originating from sanitary conveniences or other
sources;
"Septic Tank Waste" means any Waste extracted from a cesspool,
septic tank, sewage holding tank, seepage pit, Interceptor or other
containment for human excretion and Waste;
"Service Connection" means either a Sewerage Service Connection or a
Drainage Service Connection;
"Sewer" means all pipes, conduits, drains, and other equipment and
facilities, owned or otherwise under the control or jurisdiction of the District
or the GVS&DD, for collecting, pumping, and transporting Sewerage either
to a Sewage Facility or otherwise and includes but is not limited to all such
pipes, conduits, drains and other equipment and facilities which connect
with those of the District and the GVSⅅ
"Sewage Facility" means works owned by the District or the GVS&DD or
otherwise under the control or jurisdiction of the District or the GVS&DD
that gathers, treats, transports, stores, utilizes, or discharges Sewerage;
"Sewage Pump Unit" means private sewage works located on private
property and includes a hydraulic device capable of moving or lifting
sewage from one location to another and a pump used to grind Domestic
Sewerage into a fine slurry and pump it into the Municipal Sewerage
System and may be distinguished from a Low Pressure System which
always discharges into a low pressure Force Main;
"Sewerage" means Domestic Sewerage, Combined Sewerage and
Waste from Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, and other sources;
"Sewerage Service Connection" means:
(a) where an inspection chamber is installed near the property line, the
pipe extending from the inspection chamber to the Municipal
Sewerage System; and
(b) where no inspection chamber is installed, the pipe extending from
the property line to the Municipal Sewerage System;
"Standard Methods" means in accordance with the latest edition as
amended from time to time of "Standard Methods for the Examination of
Water and Wastewater", jointly prepared and published by the American
Public Health Association, American Water Works Association and the
Water Environment Federation or any successor thereto;
"Suspended Solids" means insoluble matter which either floats on the
surface or is suspended in Sewerage and that is separable by the
appropriate procedure described in Standard Methods;
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"Trap" means a fitting or device that is designed to hold a liquid seal that
will prevent the passage of gas but will not materially affect the flow of a
liquid;
"Trucked Waste" is waste that due to the level of contamination or
health/environmental risk it poses, cannot legally be disposed of down the
Municipal Sewerage Works;
"Waste" means any substance, whether gaseous, liquid or solid, that is
discharged or discarded, directly or indirectly, to a Sewer or Sewage
Facility;
"Watercourse" means a stream, creek, ditch or other natural or man-
made surface feature in which Drainage flows and which is part of the
Municipal Drainage System.
Part 5 Interpretation
Interpretation
In this bylaw words importing the male gender include the
female gender and either includes neuter and vice-versa and
words importing singular number include the plural number and
vice versa.
Part 6 Scope of the Municipal System
Confirmation of Municipal Services
Council hereby confirms the establishment of the municipal
services of Sewerage disposal and Drainage discharge.
Role of the Engineer
The Engineer is authorized to control, supervise, and administer
the Municipal System.
Application
The regulations and prohibitions in this bylaw do not apply to
District employees or contractors acting under the direction of or
with the permission of the Engineer, or to members of the Fire
Department acting in the course of their powers and duties.
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No Obligation to Provide Service if Insufficient Capacity
Nothing in this bylaw shall obligate the District to provide
services to any property or person when, in the opinion of the
Engineer, the capacity of the Municipal System is insufficient to
provide the service.
No Guarantee of Service - District Alterations - No Liability
The District does not guarantee service. The District reserves
the right at any and all times, without notice, to change
operating conditions of the Municipal Sewerage System and/or
the Municipal Drainage System, for the purposes of making
repairs, extensions, alterations, or improvements, or for any
other reason. Neither the District, its officers, employees nor
agents shall incur any liability of any kind whatsoever by reason
of the cessation in whole or in part of the Municipal Sewerage
System and/or the Municipal Drainage System or changes in
operating conditions.
Owners to Provide Their Own Back-Up Facilities
Owners or other persons depending on continuous and
uninterrupted disposal of Sewerage and/or Drainage shall
provide on the property and at their cost, such necessary
equipment, and facilities suitable to their requirement.
Construction of Private Works
Every Owner of property who constructs Private Sewerage
Works or Private Drainage Works shall ensure that they are
constructed to receive all Sewerage and all Drainage,
respectively, emanating from all buildings and structures on the
property.
Every Owner or property shall construct Private Works in strict
compliance with all applicable bylaws, laws, regulations, codes,
and orders, including this bylaw.
No Drainage from any building or structure shall be connected
to the Municipal Sewerage System.
No Sewerage from any building or structure shall be connected
to the Municipal Drainage System.
No Drainage from any building or structure shall be discharged:
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(a)
to a location where the Drainage has the potential to
adversely impact:
(i)
the stability of a slope, or
(ii)
a ravine;
(b)
to a location or in such a manner that causes or has the
potential to cause nuisance, hazard or damage;
(c)
directly onto adjacent property.
Every Owner is responsible for all costs to correct discharges in
contravention of this bylaw originating from the Owner's
property. Every Owner shall correct any improper discharge
identified by the District within the longer of (1) 30 days from the
date of being notified in writing by the District and (2) such
longer period specified in the notice.
Where a property is to be redeveloped, subdivided, or requires
new sewer services and
(a)
the property is currently serviced by gravity to the
Municipal Sewerage System located in an
Environmentally Sensitive Area, the foreshore or within an
easement, or
(b)
future access may be cost prohibitive or inaccessible to
maintenance vehicles,
and where alternate servicing is available, the Engineer may
discontinue the existing gravity Service Connection. Alternate
servicing resulting in the need for a new gravity or pumped
Service Connection shall be installed and maintained to property
line at the Owner's expense.
Standard of Private Maintenance
Every Owner shall maintain the Private Sewerage Works and
Private Drainage Works on the Owner's property in proper
working condition and in such way that there is no leakage of
Sewerage or Drainage and no infiltration of any groundwater
into the Private Works.
Mandatory Use of Municipal System
Every Owner shall ensure that:
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(a)
all Sewerage originating from any building located on
such Owner's property is connected to and discharged
into the Municipal Sewerage System, when such a system
is available to the property;
(b)
all Drainage originating from such Owner's property is
contained entirely on that property and connected to and
discharged into the Municipal Drainage System, or where
unavailable to an approved storm water disposal location.
Holding Tanks
Holding tanks for sewerage are not permitted on any property
within the District that has been designated as within the Urban
Containment Area established under Metro Vancouver's
Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw No. 1136, 2010, and the
District will not permit a Service Connection to a property that
contains a holding tank and Owners must remove and dispose
all such holding tanks.
Part 7 Service connections
Authorization Required for Connection of Private Works to the Municipal
System
No person shall connect any Private Sewerage Works or
Private Drainage Works with any Sewerage Service Connection
or Drainage Service Connection without first obtaining
authorization to do so from the Engineer and paying the
applicable fees set out in the Schedule C.
Authorized Agents
The Owner may, in writing, consent to an application for a
Service Connection being made on the Owner's behalf by the
Owner's authorized agent, and in that case all directions, orders
and other communications made by the Engineer to the
authorized agent are deemed to have been made to the Owner.
Authorization of Service Connection
Upon an Owner satisfying all the conditions of this bylaw, the
Engineer will authorize the connection of a Service Connection
to Private Sewerage Works or Private Drainage Works, as the
case may be.
Requirement for New Connections
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When a building permit is issued for:
(a)
a new building, or
(b)
alteration of an existing building with an estimated
construction value greater than $250,000
the requirements of section 7.4.2 shall apply.
Where section 7.4.1 applies:
(a)
if there is no Service Connection or the Service
Connection is 40 years or older, a new Sewerage Service
Connection, a new Drainage Service Connection, or both,
as applicable, including an inspection chamber at the
property line, shall be installed, or
(b)
if the Service Connection is less than 40 years old and is
accompanied by an inspection chamber, the District shall
perform a video inspection of the Service Connection, at
the Owner's cost, for review by the District and:
(i)
where, in the opinion of the Engineer, there is
excessive damage to the Service Connection the
Service Connection shall be replaced; and if the
Service Connection is replaced, it must be replaced
by a new Sewerage Service Connection, or a new
Drainage Service Connection, as applicable; or
(ii)
where the existing Service Connection material
type is no-corrode, asbestos, cement, or clay of
any age or condition it must be replaced with a new
Sewerage Service Connection, or a new Drainage
Service Connection, as applicable,
(c)
If the Service Connection is less than 40 years old and is
not accompanied by an inspection chamber, a new
Sewerage Service Connection, including an inspection
chamber at the property line, or a new Drainage Service
Connection, including an inspection chamber as
applicable, shall be installed.
All work required to be completed under section 7.4.2 shall be
completed by the District and the Owner shall pay the
applicable fee set out in the Schedule C which includes the cost
of materials, staff time, overhead, and administration fees.
Separate Service Connection Required for Each Property
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Subject to section 7.5.2, no person shall connect more than one
parcel of land to any Service Connection.
The requirement of section 7.5.1 shall not apply to strata lots,
air space parcels and the remainder parcels from which they
are subdivided if all such parcels are or will be developed with a
Plumbing System which is the subject of registered reciprocal
easements, satisfactory to the Engineer, by which all Owners
have access to all parts of the Plumbing System for inspection,
maintenance, repair, and replacement.
Location of Service Connection
Every Owner shall construct Private Sewerage Works and
Private Drainage Works in a location approved by the Engineer.
When an Owner applies for a permit to connect any Private
Sewerage Works or Private Drainage Works with the Municipal
System, the Owner must provide an engineering topographical
survey plan of the property,
(a)
to which main Sewer the Private Works shall be
connected;
(b)
the location and depth of the Private Works; and
(c)
the lowest elevation that a plumbing Fixture can be
installed such that the flood level rim of the plumbing
Fixture (the top edge at which water can overflow) is not
below the restricted elevation unless the plumbing Fixture
is pumped.
Discontinuance of Service Connection
Where possible, in order to meet the requirements of any
Owner applying for connection to the Municipal System, it is
necessary for the Engineer to discontinue an existing Service
Connection, the Owner shall pay to the District the fee set out in
the Schedule C which shall equal the District's actual cost of
capping off the existing connection and replacing it, based on
the cost of materials, staff time, overhead and administration
fee.
Municipal Sewer on Private Property
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Where any part of the Municipal System is located in or on
privately-owned property, or in respect of which the District
holds an easement, right of way, or statutory right of way on
privately-owned property, no person shall connect to or disturb
any part of the Municipal System except by permission and
under the direction of the Engineer.
All Private Sewerage Works and Private Drainage Works
serving more than one property shall be contained within a
right-of-way or easement registered on title of the property on
which such works are located. Owners are responsible for all
costs to register any right-of-way or easement through private
property.
Low Pressure Systems
Where the Sewerage generated on a property cannot be
drained to the Municipal System by gravity, and in the event that
the Municipal Sewerage System on the street is operating or, in
the opinion of the Engineer, may need in the future to operate
under hydraulic head as a low pressure system, the Owner of
the property may be granted a Service Connection only if:
(a)
the Owner installs on the Owner's property a Low
Pressure System, designed by a Professional Engineer
and installed in accordance with the engineered design, to
pump the Sewerage to the Municipal System; and
(b)
the Owner registers against the title to the Owner's land in
favour of the District, in priority to all financial charges, a
Land Title Act, section 219 covenant, in a form acceptable
to the District, promising:
(i)
to operate, repair, maintain, replace, and otherwise
be fully responsible for the Low Pressure System,
including the pump units, controls, all auxiliary
components, and all parts located within District
rights of way;
(ii)
not to change the pumping characteristics of the
pumping system unless otherwise approved by the
Engineer; and
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(iii)
when necessary, to replace the pumps, force main
and controls, including by installing a balancing
tank to meet changing operating conditions of the
Low Pressure System, which replacement work
must be designed by a Professional Engineer and
the Owner must submit the record of replacement
to the District.
On-Site Drainage Facility Requirements
Where an on-site Drainage management facility has been
installed the Owner must ensure that the facility is:
(a)
accessible;
(b)
maintained in good condition; and
(c)
functioning as designed.
High Potential Contaminant Release Areas
Every Owner of land containing a High Potential Contaminant
Release Area shall ensure:
(a)
that run-off from the area surrounding the High Potential
Contaminant Release Area does not enter the High
Potential Contaminant Release Area; and
(b)
that the High Potential Contaminant Release Area drains
into a separate drain from the surrounding area that
either:
(i)
drains into a stormwater pre-treatment device prior
to draining into the Municipal Drainage System; or
(ii)
drains into the Municipal Sewerage System, but
only if:
-
the High Potential Contaminant Release Area
is covered;
-
the High Potential Contaminant Release Area
is less than the greater of 8 square metres per
loading dock or 250 square metres in total
area; or
-
approval has been given by the District.
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Dental Amalgam
Every Owner of land on which a dental facility is located shall
install a dental amalgam separator on all fixtures that may
release dental amalgam Waste into the Municipal Sewerage
System.
All separators required by this section shall be installed and
maintained to the satisfaction of the Engineer.
This section does not apply to dental facilities:
(a)
practicing exclusively Orthodontics and Dentofacial
Orthopedics, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Oral
Medicine and Pathology, Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology,
or Periodontics; and
(b)
exempted, in writing, by the Engineer.
Part 8 Oil, Grease and Grit Interceptors And Sewage
Pump Units
GVS&DD Oil and Grease Interceptor Regulations
Every person shall comply with all bylaws of the Greater
Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District with respect to oil
and Grease Interceptors, including but not limited to the Greater
Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District Food Sector
Grease Interceptor Bylaw No. 268, 2012.
Sewage Pump Units
No Owner shall install a Sewage Pump Unit unless the design
has been reviewed and approved by the District.
For all properties with Sewage Pump Units;
(a)
The property Owner is responsible for the maintenance
and repair of the Sewage Pump Unit and controls, and the
associated infrastructure such as the electrical supply,
containment tank, forcemain piping, check valve, gate
valve, and alarm.
Part 9 Blockages
Removal of Blockages from Private Works
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The Owner shall be solely responsible, at the Owner's sole cost,
to remove any blockages in Private Works which are
attributable to the discharge of Sewerage and/or Drainage from
the Owner's property.
Failure of Private Works
The Owner is responsible for all failures in the Private
Sewerage Works or Private Drainage Works on the Owner's
property.
Owner to Do First Investigation
If Private Works become stopped or otherwise fail to function,
the Owner must:
(a)
first arrange for a plumber to rectify the stopped service;
and
(b)
notify the Engineer only where it has been determined
that the blockage is located in Municipal Sewerage
Works.
Blockages in Low Pressure Systems
Where any Municipal Works, Service Connection, Private
Sewerage Works or Private Drainage Works are part of a Low
Pressure System:
(a)
if the Low Pressure System contains a curb stop, the
District shall be responsible, at the District's sole cost, for
removing a blockage located between the Force Main and
the curb stop;
(b)
if the Low Pressure System does not contain a curb stop,
the District shall be responsible, at the District's sole cost,
for removing a blockage located at any point in the Low
Pressure System located on District property; and
(c)
if the blockage is located in any other part of the Low
Pressure System, the Owner shall be responsible, at the
Owner's sole cost, for removing the blockage.
Part 10 Standards for Sewerage Discharges
Septic Tank Waste
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No person may discharge or permit the discharge of Septic
Tank Waste into the Municipal System.
Non-Domestic Waste
No person shall discharge or allow or cause to be discharged
into the Municipal System any Non-Domestic Waste unless:
(a)
that person has a current valid Waste Discharge Permit in
writing from the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and
Drainage District; and
(b)
Restricted Waste is discharged strictly in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the permit.
Trucked Waste
No person shall dispose or allow or cause to be disposed into
the Municipal System any Trucked Waste unless:
(a)
that person has a current valid permit in writing from the
Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District; and
(b)
the Trucked Waste is disposed at a designated Greater
Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District disposal
facility.
Prohibited Discharge
No person may discharge or allow or cause to be discharged
into the Municipal Sewerage System any:
(a)
Prohibited Waste as listed in Schedule "D";
(b)
water or any other substance for the purpose of diluting
any Non-Domestic Waste in order to have it meet the
standards of this bylaw;
(c)
any Sewerage with particles larger than 0.5 cm in any
dimension;
(d)
any Sewerage having a Suspended Solids content of
more than 600 milligrams per litre;
(e)
any Garbage; or
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(f)
any water or Waste which contains Grease, whether or
not emulsified, at a concentration in excess of 150
milligrams per litre or which contains more than 15
milligrams per litre of substances derived from petroleum
sources.
Restricted Discharge
No person may discharge or allow or cause to be discharged
into the Municipal Sewerage System any Restricted Waste as
listed in Schedule E.
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Part 11 Standards for Drainage Discharges
Prohibited Discharge
No person may discharge or allow or cause to be discharged
into any Drainage system, ditch, creek, stream, Watercourse,
lake, bay, river, or ocean any:
(a)
Prohibited Waste as listed in Schedule D;
(b)
prohibited or hazardous waste as defined in the
Environmental Management Act;
(c)
a fluid containing total suspended solids of 25 milligrams
or more per litre above background total suspended solids
of the receiving environment during the months of May to
September, or 75 milligrams or more per litre above
background total suspended solids of the receiving
environment during the months of October to April;
(d)
anything in a concentration or quantity which may be or
may become a health or safety hazard to personnel
operating or maintaining the Drainage system or which
may cause damage or interfere with the proper operation
or capacity of the Drainage system, or which may injure or
is capable of injuring any property, or health of any person
or any life form; and
(e)
anything which contravenes the Fisheries Act of Canada.
Restricted Discharge
No person, unless prior authorization in writing from the
Engineer has been granted, shall discharge, or allow or cause
to be discharged into the Municipal Drainage System any:
(a)
Restricted Waste as listed in Schedule E;
(b)
processed water from groundwater remediation;
(c)
cooling waste water or which has had additives harmful to
the receiving environment;
(d)
industrial cooling water which may be polluted with
insoluble oils, Grease, or insoluble Suspended Solids; or
(e)
swimming pool and/or hot-tub water.
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Part 12 Accidental Discharge/ Spill Reporting
Notification of Accidents
Owners and all other persons shall notify the District immediately
of any accidental discharges or any other discharges or highway
spills of the types of Waste that are restricted or prohibited under
this bylaw.
Owner Action
In the case of an incident under section 12.1.1., the Owner of the
property must take immediate action to provide appropriate
countermeasures to stop the discharge and contain the spill.
Follow-up Information to District
Within five (5) calendar days of providing the notification
required by section 12.1.1., the:
(a)
Owner; or
(b)
person responsible for the spill or discharge
shall provide a detailed written statement to the Engineer
providing the location, time and date of occurrence, setting out
the cause of the spill or discharge, identifying the type of
chemical or substance that was spilled or discharged, the
volume of the spill or discharge, the countermeasures taken to
control the spill or discharge and address any damage the spill
or discharge may have caused and detailing the measures being
taken to prevent its future occurrence.
Liability
The notifications under sections 12.1.1, and 12.3.1. will not
relieve the Owner or other responsible person of liability for any
consequential expense, loss, or damage to the Municipal
System or for any fines and/or penalties imposed by the District
or other level of government.
Part 13 Construction Works
Use of Municipal System for Temporary Drainage
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Requirements for temporary drainage during construction work
shall be in accordance with the Watercourse Protection Bylaw
4364, 2005 including any amendments to that bylaw.
Part 14 Inspections
The Inspector is hereby authorized to enter onto and into any property or
building to ascertain whether there is compliance with this bylaw. Except
in cases of emergency, the Inspector shall advise the Owner or occupier
before entering the property and enter at a reasonable time and in a
reasonable manner.
No Hindrance of Inspection
No person shall hinder or prevent the Inspector from entering
and making reasonable inspection of any property or building.
No Obstructions to Inspection
No person shall place or permit an obstruction, including
fencing, Garbage, landscaping, other materials, or things which
hinders or prevents the inspection of any property, building or
on-site works, including any maintenance hole, ditch,
Watercourse, inspection chamber, or other Fixture.
Removal of Obstructions
The Engineer may order the Owner to remove an obstruction at
the expense of the Owner.
Monitoring
The Engineer may require that an Owner of property from which
any material or substance prohibited or restricted by this bylaw
is being discharged into the Municipal System to undertake, at
that person's expense:
(a)
the installation of a control maintenance manhole;
(b)
the measurement, sampling and analysis of the material
or substance discharged and provide the data to the
District.
Standard Methods
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All measuring, sampling and analysis required by the Engineer
must be carried out in accordance with methods and
procedures specified in Standard Methods, unless otherwise
authorized by the Engineer.
Sample Analysis
Samples which have been collected must be analyzed by a
qualified, independent agency, unless other prior arrangements
have been authorized in writing by the Engineer.
Access Point
For the purposes of the provision of control maintenance
manhole to comply with section 14.5.1., the Engineer may
accept the point of discharge into the Municipal System as an
alternative for the purposes of measuring, observing, or
sampling the prohibited material or substance.
Part 15 Fees for use of Municipal System
Connection Fees
Any person making an application for the laying of any service pipe other
than the standard connections described in the Schedule C shall, at the time
of such application, deposit at the Engineer's office a security amount prior
to commencement of the works. For clarity, if a property is serviced by an
undersized main, the applicant will be responsible for the necessary costs to
upgrade the main.
15.1.1 The security amount shall be 150% of the estimated cost of
providing such service.
15.1.2 The estimated cost shall be the estimated installation cost plus
20% for administration and overhead.
15.1.3
Upon receipt of such security amount the Engineer shall, if in their
opinion such connection is necessary, and if the application is
complete and satisfies all conditions of this bylaw, as soon as is
convenient thereafter provide such Water Service.
15.1.4
If the installation cost of the work plus 20% administration is less
than the security amount, the Engineer shall refund to the
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applicant the difference between such amount and the security
amount.
15.1.5 If the installation cost of the work plus 20% overhead is greater
than the security amount, the applicant shall pay to the District,
within 30 days, the difference between such amount and the
security amount.
15.1.6
Payment of any monies due to the District shall be made before
the works are connected to the Municipal System.
15.1.7 If the security is provided in the form of cash, the District shall
have no obligation to place the security in an interest-bearing
account.
Sewer Utility Fees
Each Owner who receives service from the Municipal System shall pay
the applicable fee set out in the Schedule A and Schedule B.
Fees are due and payable quarterly on the last day of May, August,
November, and February. Fees shall be payable until all buildings and
structures on the property are demolished and the service is
disconnected. Where a new meter has been installed during any quarter
(which begin on the first day of January, April, July, and October) the
metered sewer utility fee for that partial quarter is due at the end of that
quarter. The metered sewer utility fee for single family residential
properties shall be based on the average winter water consumption for
properties of a similar type and usage.
Quarterly fees due and payable under the Schedule A and
Schedule B shall be subject to a discount of ten (10) percent,
provided they are paid in full on or before the close of business
on the due date set out on the billing form. If all or a portion of a
fee due and payable is received after the due date, then the
Owner shall be liable for the full amount.
Unpaid Utility Fees
In accordance with section 258(1) of the Community Charter, unpaid fees
may be collected in the same manner and with the same remedies as
property taxes and if due and payable by December 31 and unpaid on that
date shall be deemed taxes in arrear.
Rebates and Refunds
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Except as follows, no rebate, refund, or credit whatsoever of any monies
paid or payable for sewer service shall be made by the District. The
Engineer may, in the Engineer's discretion, provide a rebate of the
metered sewer utility fee when an Owner makes a written application to
the District for adjustment within 30 days of the date of the most recent
utility statement in which the Owner swears or attests the following:
that a water leak occurred during the winter period Quarter 4
(October - December), Quarter 1 (January - March), or both;
that the Owner has properly repaired the leak; and
a leak of that nature would have caused a volume of discharge
in excess of the historical volume of discharge during the same
period of prior years; and
If these conditions are met, the Director of Finance will recalculate the
metered sewer utility fee based on usage history and trends over the
previous two years. If the recalculated fee is less than the original
quarterly billing, the Director of Finance may apply a rebate to the
difference.
Change of Use
Every Owner shall advise the District when the use or Occupancy of the
property changes, having reference to the classification of user set out in
the Schedule A.
Part 16 Remedies, Offences Penalties
Every person who violates a provision of this bylaw, or who consents,
allows, or permits an act or thing to be done in violation of a provision of
this bylaw, or who neglects to or refrains from doing anything required to
be done by a provision of this bylaw, is guilty of an offence, and is guilty of
a separate offence each day that a violation continues to exist.
Every person who commits an offence is liable on summary conviction to
a fine or to imprisonment, or to both a fine and imprisonment, not
exceeding the maximum allowed by the Offence Act.
Offences committed in respect of this bylaw may be enforced under the
Bylaw Notice Enforcement Bylaw No. 4368, 2004, and the Municipal
Ticket Information System Implementation Bylaw No. 4383, 2004.
Notice of Bylaw Infraction
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The Engineer may issue a written notice to an Owner that the
Owner is in contravention of this bylaw and direct the Owner to
comply.
No False Information
No person shall:
(a)
provide to the District false information; or
(b)
make inaccurate or untrue statements.
No Tampering
No person shall maliciously, willfully or negligently:
(a)
break, damage, destroy, uncover, deface, mar, or tamper
with any Service Connection or any part of the Municipal
System;
(b)
in any way operate, remove, or make any alteration to any
part of the Municipal System; or
(c)
uncover or place fill over any part of the Municipal
System.
Discontinuance of Service
Subject to section 16.8.1., the Engineer may disconnect any
property from the Municipal System in response to:
(a)
a contravention of any of the provisions of this bylaw; or
(b)
for non-payment of fees or other charges when due;
if the Owner of the property fails to remedy the contravention or
non-payment after receiving 30 days' written notice from the
Engineer.
Timing of Disconnection
The Engineer shall not disconnect Private Works under section
16.7.1.(a) until:
(a)
the Engineer has imposed a notice period that coincides
with at least one meeting of Council scheduled at least 3
days from the date of delivery of the notice;
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(b)
the Engineer has advised the Owner that he or she may,
by written request delivered to the District's Corporate
Officer at least two days before the meeting, appear
before the Council at its next regular meeting; and
(c)
the Owner has failed to appear before Council during the
notice period or Council, after hearing the submissions of
the Owner, affirms the disconnection of the Private Works.
Notice of Disconnection
Service of the notice referred to in section 16.7.1. will be
sufficient if the notice:
(a)
In the case of service on an individual, is served
personally or mailed by prepaid registered mail to the
address of the Owner shown on the then current year's
real property assessment roll for the residential property
for the which the notice is issued;
(b)
In the case of service on a corporation, is served
personally on a director, officer, or manager of the
corporation or by leaving it at or mailing it by registered
mail to the registered office of the corporation.
Reconnection
The Engineer may refuse to turn on or reconnect a
disconnected private work until all necessary repairs have been
completed to the satisfaction of the Engineer and all applicable
charges, including any charges for disconnection and re-
connection, have been paid.
Municipal Action at Defaulter's Expense
Whenever a person fails to take an action required by this bylaw
the District may fulfill the requirement at the expense of the
person and may recover the costs incurred from that person as
a debt.
Additions to Taxes
Money incurred by the District for work done or services
provided by the District in relation to an Owner's land or
improvements at the default of the Owner may be collected in
the same manner and with the same remedies as property
taxes, and if it is due and payable by December 31 and unpaid
on that date, is deemed to be taxes in arrears.
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Part 17 Schedules
Schedules
The following schedules are attached to and form part of this
bylaw:
Schedule A - Sewer Meter Base Rates
Schedule B - Sewer Meter Volume Rates
Schedule C- Service Charges
Schedule D- Prohibited Waste
Schedule E- Restricted Waste
READ A FIRST TIME on October 23, 2023
READ A SECOND TIME on October 23, 2023
READ A THIRD TIME on October 23, 2023
ADOPTED by the Council on October 30, 2023.
Mayor
Deputy Corporate Officer
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Schedule A - Sewer Meter Base Rates
Sewer Base Charge Per Unit (Quarterly)
Customer Class
Sanitary
Local Levy
Sanitary
Regional
Levy
Drainage
Levy
Quarterly
Fixed
Charge:
Total
Single Family
Residential
$21.87
$40.59
$154.69
$217.10
Multi-Family Residential
$21.87
$40.59
$154.69
$217.10
Commercial
$21.87
$40.59
$154.69
$217.10
No Water Sewer*
$388.26
*No Water Sewer: customers, who are not charged metered water, pay a flat
rate based on the median SFR quarterly bill.
Amendment
Bylaw 5284
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Schedule B - Sewer Meter Volume Rates
1. Metered Sewer Volume Rates
Based on Quarterly Consumption
Customer Class
Volume Charge
Per Cubic Metre
(m3) Local
Volume Charge
Per Cubic Metre
(m3) Regional
Single Family Residential*
$1.62
$2.42
Multi-Family Residential**
$1.62
$2.42
Commercial**
$1.62
$2.42
*Single Family Residential Volume Rate applied quarterly to average winter
period usage.
**All other class rates applied to total water usage.
For discharge of contaminated groundwater to the sewer system the fee is
$1.50 per cubic meter for groundwater discharged.
Per section 15.2.1 of "Sewerage and Drainage Regulation Bylaw No. 5263,
2023" the rates shown in Schedule "A" and Schedule "B" shall be subject to a
discount of ten (10) per cent, provided full payment for the current billing is
made on or before the close of business on the due date set out on the billing
form.
Amendment
Bylaw 5284
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Schedule C - Service Charges
Sewer Leak Administration Fee: 10% of Original Sewer Charge up to $200
For work other than listed above or where extraordinary conditions prevail
such as rock excavation, creek crossings, other utility interference,
sidewalks etc. the estimated cost to be actual installation cost plus 20%
overhead. Estimated cost plus 50% contingency to be paid in advance as
security see Section 15.1 Connection Fees in this Bylaw.
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Schedule D - Prohibited Waste
The following are designated as Prohibited Waste for the purposes of this bylaw:
1.
Flammable or Explosive Waste
Any Waste which is capable of causing or contributing to an explosion or
supporting combustion in any Sewer or Sewage Facility including, but not limited
to, gasoline, benzene, naptha, diesel or other fuel oil, Waste crankcase oil and
sludge resulting from the manufacture of acetylene.
2.
Waste Causing Obstruction or Interference
Any Waste which is capable of obstructing the flow of or interfering with the
operation or performance of any Sewer or Sewage Facility including, but not
limited to earth, sand, ash, glass, tar, asphalt, plastic, wood, Waste portions of
animals, fish or fowl, and solidified fat.
3.
Waste Causing Air Pollution
Any Waste, other than Sanitary Waste, that causes Air Pollution outside any
Sewer or Sewage Facility.
4.
High Temperature Creating Waste
(a)
Any Waste which may create heat in amounts which
will interfere with the operation and maintenance of
the Sewer or Sewage Facility or with the treatment of
Waste in a Sewage Facility;
(b)
Any Waste which will raise the temperature of Waste
entering any Sewage Facility to 40 degrees
Centigrade (104 degrees Fahrenheit) or more;
(c)
Any Non-Domestic Waste with a temperature of 65
degrees Centigrade (150 degrees Fahrenheit) or
more.
5.
Radioactive Waste (Nuclear Substances)
Any Waste that, at the point of discharge into a Sewer, is defined as a Nuclear
Substance under the federal Nuclear Safety and Control Act.
6.
Biomedical Waste
Any Waste that, at the point of discharge into a sewer, contains biomedical waste
as defined in the Hazardous Waste Regulation as amended from time to time
pursuant to the Environmental Management Act.
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7.
Specified Risk Material for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy
Any Waste containing the specified risk material as defined in the federal
Fertilizers Regulations (C.R.C., c. 666), as amended from time to time, including
material from the skull, brain, trigeminal ganglia, eyes, tonsils, spinal cord and
dorsal root ganglia of cattle aged 30 months or older, or material from the distal
ileum of cattle of all ages.
8.
Hazardous Waste
Any Waste defined as hazardous waste in the Environmental Management Act
with the exception of hazardous waste in compliance with the effluent standards
contained in Schedule 1.2, Column 3 of the Hazardous Waste Regulation.
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Schedule E - Restricted Waste
The following are designated as Restricted Waste for the purposes of this bylaw:
1.
Particle Size Waste
Any Non-Domestic Waste, including that from cooking and handling of food, that
at the point of discharge into a Sewer, contains particles larger than 0.5
centimetres in any dimension.
2.
PH Waste
Any Non-Domestic Waste which, at the point of discharge into a Sewer, has a pH
lower than 5.5 or higher than 10.5.
3.
Waste Causing Interference or Injury
Any Waste in a concentration or quantity which may interfere with the proper
operation of a Sewer or Sewage Facility or which may injure or is capable of
injuring the health of any person, property, or life form.
4.
Waste Producing Air Contaminants
Any Waste, other than Sanitary Waste, that is capable of emitting into the air
within a Sewer or Sewage Facility any substance that injures or is capable of
injuring the health or safety of a person, or that causes or is capable of causing
material physical discomfort to a person.
5.
Corrosive Waste
Any Waste with corrosive properties which may cause damage to any Sewer or
Sewage Facility.
6.
Specified Waste
Any Sewerage which, at the point of discharge into a Sewer, contains any
substance with a concentration in excess of the levels set out in Tables (A), (B)
or (C) below. All concentrations are expressed as total concentrations, which
include all forms of the contaminant, combined or uncombined, whether
dissolved or undissolved obtained from a Grab Sample. Definitions and methods
of analysis for these substances are outlined in Standard Methods or methods
specified by the Engineer.
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Table A - Conventional Contaminants
Contaminant
Maximum Concentration
(mg/L)
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
(BOD)
500
Total Suspended Solids
(TSS)
600
Total Oil and grease1 (O&G -
Total)
150
Oil and grease (Hydrocarbon)
(O&G - Hydrocarbon)
15
Note: Total Oil and grease includes Oil and grease (Hydrocarbons)
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Table B - Organic Contaminants
Contaminant
Maximum Concentration
(mg/L)
Phenols
1.0
Chlorophenols
0.05
Polycyclic Aromatic
Hydrocarbons (PAHs)
0.05
Benzene
0.1
Total BETX3
1.0
Notes:
Chlorophenols include:
a. tetrachlorophenols (2,3,4,5-, 2,3,4,6-, 2,3,5,6-)
b. pentachlorphenol
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) include:
acenapthene
chrysene
acenaphthylene
dibenzo(a,h)anthracene
anthracene
fluoranthene
benzo(a)anthracene
fluorene
benzo(b)fluoranthene
naphthalene
benzo(k)fluoranthene
phenanthrene
benzo(g,h,i)perylene
pyrene
benzo(a)pyrene
indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene
BETX3 include:
benzene
ethylbenzene
toluene
xylenes
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Table C - Inorganic Contaminants
Contaminant
Maximum Concentration
(mg/L)
Aluminum
50.0
Arsenic
1.0
Boron
50.0
Cadmium
0.20
Chromium
4.0
Cobalt
5.0
Copper
2.0
Iron
10.0
Lead
1.0
Manganese
5.0
Mercury
0.05
Molybdenum
1.0
Nickel
2.0
Selenium
1.0
Silver
1.0
Zinc
3.0
Cyanide
1.0
Sulphide
1.0
Sulphate
1500