How to lower your residential sewer bill in Vernon

 

• In Vernon your sewer bill for the next 4 quarters (April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018) is calculated by your water usage in the First  Quarter of 2016.
•  Your first quarter bill will be for 90 days but: Everybody has their meter read on different days. My meter is read on Dec. 18th and therefore my calculation period when I need to conserve water will be from Dec. 18, 2016  to Mar. 18th, 2017. (Look at top of your bill for meter reading date)
• Unless changed prior to April 1, 2017 your sewer charge will continue to be a base charge of $50.20 per quarter PLUS a per m3 charge for your water usage in first quarter that exceeds 20m3. at a rate of $2.45 per m3. (If you use 30m3 you will be charged for 10m3 at $2.45= $24.50)
• Flush toilet only when necessary.
• Use Outhouse or Friends House Throne-room or Library
• Shower with  a friend.
• Become a snow-bird in first quarter and use no water. (Save consumption charge)

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For every M3 of water you use in the first quarter above 20m3 you will pay an annual sewer consumption charge of 2.45 x 4 = $9.80.

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2016 Rates in Coldstream

P.S. - This doesn't work as well in Coldstream as they have a different sewer rates formula. Although they base their annual sewer rate on their first quarter water consumption, they have a minimum charge ($94.10 )- $56.45 base fee + $37.65 for 15m3 consumption equivalent  per quarter that makes everyone pay for at least 15 m3.  Every m3 you do not use above the first 15m3 in first quarter will save you $2.51 per m3 quarterly or $10.04 Annually.

Gas tax fuels sewer plan

by Darren Handschuh - CASTANET Feb 18, 2016 / 5:00 am
Filling up your car has provided money to help take care of the city's sewer system. The Province of British Columbia announced the City of Vernon will receive $46,500 from the Gas Tax Strategic Priorities Fund. The money will be used for the long-term sanitary sewer utility plan. City staff will begin a request for proposal process shortly for the delivery of a risk assessment of the sanitary sewer system. The information from the assessment will be used to create a prioritized list of replacements, which consider both condition and capacity. According to the city, after road infrastructure, the sanitary sewer system has the second-largest replacement value, and an analysis of ways to strategically reduce renewal costs to match available long-term funding needs to be completed. The goal of this project is to reduce the annual renewal budget while optimizing the city’s infrastructure investment to support the sustainable delivery of services to the community. The Union of BC Municipalities administers the Federal Gas Tax Fund in British Columbia in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia. Each year, the Government of Canada provides more than $253 million in indexed funding for local government infrastructure projects across British Columbia through the federal Gas Tax Fund.
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Click to Enlarge:
http://www.ubcm.ca/EN/main/funding/renewed-gas-tax-agreement/strategic-priorities-fund.html

http://www.ubcm.ca/assets/Funding~Programs/Renewed~Gas~Tax~Agreement/Strategic~Priorities~Fund/SPF-
Approved-Projects-January-18-2016.pdf

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Prior Years Funding Grants for selected Areas:

Swan Lake Sewer Plan Explored

Posted on 10/15/2015 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM
It could be the first step in the Swan Lake area north of Vernon getting its own sewer system. The Regional District's electoral areas B and C along with Spallumcheen and the Okanagan Indian Band will work together to develop a waste water recovery plan. BX-Swan Lake director Bob Fleming says it will look at options for service in the Swan Lake corridor, along with the band land by the lake, and the South Spallumcheen Industrial area. "part of this came from me looking at the Swan Lake corridor and saying, there won't be significant development there unless we have a sewer service. And it's the wrong kind of development that's happening..It's not really what that high profile, high exposure area really deserves," Fleming tells Kiss FM. Fleming says the partnership will also preserve Swan Lake and its surrounding wetlands. "If you are going to develop, you don't want septage or waste going into the lake. Right now, there are few options for people that generate any significant amount of waste. They actually have to go to holding tanks which are just not economically viable." Fleming says the homes and businesses in that area are now all on holding tanks or septic systems. Chief Byron Louis of the Okanagan Indian Band added that the band is in the preliminary stages of designating land for lease and welcomes building relationships with surrounding governments. “It’s great to be working with our neighbours,” says Louis. “More funding opportunities arise when small governments stop competing for provincial and federal grant dollars and start collaborating.” One of the underlying principles of the Partnership is “there is no ‘waste’ water - water is a resource,” and the Plan will focus on water recovery.“Every drop of water that can be recovered will help with drought mitigation,” says Township of Spallumcheen Mayor Janice Brown, “and with our region recently experiencing severe drought conditions, the timing of this project is perfect.” The partnership has hired an engineering consultant to prepare a project work plan.

Giant goldfish multiplying in Alberta ponds Province launches campaign to curb invasive pet species

CBC News Posted: Jun 23, 2015 5:42 PM MT

The province is launching a campaign this summer to stop people from releasing their pet fish into the wild. Goldfish, some the size of dinner plates, are being found from Lethbridge to Fort McMurray, the province says. "It's quite a surprise how large we're finding them and the sheer number," said Kate Wilson, aquatic invasive species coordinator at Alberta Environment and Parks. In one case, the municipality of Wood Buffalo pulled 40 of the domestic fish species from a storm water pond. "That's really scary because it means they're reproducing in the wild, they are getting quite large and they are surviving the winters that far north," said Wilson. (more)

Swan Lake sewer discussed

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Apr 26, 2015 at 1:00 AM
The prospect of sewer services in a Greater Vernon development area is gaining momentum. Regional District of North Okanagan representatives have met with commercial property owners along the Swan Lake corridor. “We talked to them about their vision for the area,” said director Mike Macnabb. “They are supportive of the liquid waste management plan process and getting sewer out there. That is somewhat encouraging.” There is pressure to provide sewer service because of ongoing commercial and industrial opportunities along the development. Besides RDNO going it alone, another option is for the City of Vernon to extend sewer into the area but the corridor would then have to annex into the city. Akbal Mund, Vernon mayor, says he has no concerns about the RDNO process. “I am pleased they are looking at services out there. At least people are thinking about bringing more business to our area,” he said. Part of regional district process includes looking at whether its own sewer treatment facility could provide services to Spallumcheen and the Okanagan Indian Reserve. RDNO has been lobbying the city to enter into a municipal boundary extension protocol agreement to handle annexations, but on Monday, council will be asked by city staff not to enter into an agreement. “We already have our own boundary agreement,” said Mund. “Why should we change ours to go with one from another jurisdiction?” City staff also recommends that if RDNO is interested in a block boundary extension or an extension of sewer into the Swan Lake corridor linked to annexation, the city would be willing to participate at that time.

Sewer plan considered

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Apr 19, 2015 at 1:00 AM
A high-profile development area could ultimately hook up to sewer but not from Vernon. The Regional District of North Okanagan will develop the scope of work needed for a liquid waste management plan, which could lead to a sewer treatment system for the Swan Lake corridor on Highway 97. “We’ve talked to the Okanagan Indian Band and Spallumcheen about a shared service,” said Bob Fleming, BX-Swan Lake director. Ongoing commercial and industrial development in the corridor is driving the search for sewer. But the other factor for possibly establishing a sewer service is the fact the City of Vernon refuses to provide sewer unless the corridor annexes into the city. “Ours is a better model because it addresses the regional growth strategy,” said Fleming of protecting the environment while promoting economic development. “Spallumcheen and the Okanagan Indian Band won’t become part of the city. The RDNO model is allowing for those partnerships.” Fleming anticipates the process towards a sewer treatment plant could take five years, but he admits there is one potential stumbling block. “Does it make sense financially?” he said. However, Fleming says Okanagan Falls, south of Penticton, recently constructed a $12-million facility but residents there only contributed one-third of the funds because of federal and provincial grants. Support for a liquid waste management plan comes from Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director. “We’re concerned about the quality of water in Swan Lake,” he said of septic tanks in the area. “This is one step to try and protect the environment.” In a related matter, third reading has been given to a bylaw that would expand the riparian development permit area along Swan Lake to include commercial and industrial properties. “We’re trying to ensure water quality in Swan Lake is improving and not deteriorating. It’s good planning,” said Macnabb.

No sewer line for fire hall

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Feb 27, 2015 at 1:00 AM
The City of Vernon won’t budge from its annexation policy even for a fire hall. City officials say the only way they will extend sewer services to the BX-Swan Lake fire hall is if the property is brought into Vernon boundaries. “We have set the policy (annexation for sewer) in our official community plan and at this point, we don’t want to revisit it,” said Coun. Catherine Lord. “If we make one exception, we have to do it for others.” Mayor Akbal Mund is also concerned about precedent as other BX residents want city sewer. He also isn’t sure why the Regional District of North Okanagan would oppose annexation of the fire hall. “It doesn’t affect them if they do join the city. They don’t lose any taxes,” said Mund. In a letter to the city, RDNO states that the BX-Swan Lake fire hall is expanding its offices, training facilities and truck bays. “A request is being made to council for authorization to connect to the city’s sanitary sewer system located on Silver Star Road in order to avoid the need to expand or relocate the existing septic system,” said Ron Baker, RDNO’s community/protective services manager. However, city staff insist that extension of sewer to the fire hall would have to include annexation of that property and several other adjacent properties. “This block boundary extension process was proposed, in part, to address concerns from Areas B and C regarding single property and small block boundary extension applications for the purpose of receiving a sanitary sewer connection,” said Kim Flick, the city’s community development director, in a report. “The proposal involved exploring extending the city boundary to properties adjacent to both city roads and sanitary sewer services. The fire hall property meets this criteria but was omitted from the process as it was considered an important service for Areas B and C.” Plans for sewer will now be abandoned at the BX-Swan Lake fire hall. “We are a bit restricted on where the septic field can go but it will be accommodated,” said Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director. Macnabb also questions council’s decision by saying the city’s sewer policy hasn’t been consistent over the years. “The (BX) school is hooked on to sewer and there are properties on Pottery Road on sewer and they are not part of the city,” he said. While city officials express concern that someone outside of city limits may refuse to pay their sewer bill, Macnabb says, “It’s pretty easy to focus attention by cutting off service.”

RESIDENTIAL Water Consumption vs Sewage Disposal Comparitive Costs

Water Rates are the  2014 Water Rates including a 24% increase to base and a 20% consumption rate increase. An online calculator where you can figure your individual $ and rate increase for WATER:  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AqjuHhD4a7O5dHR2UzU5WkhaTF9HLW5FOW1wNmpDQ0E&usp=drive_web#gid=0

RFP Stormwater Utility

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Prof Services Stormwater Utility Feasibility Study Oct-09-2014ENG-14-78 :

http://ecommerce.vernon.ca/vernoncf/Purchasing_open.cfm 
 (links to)
CoV Developmnt Cost Charge Review & Update
CoV Master Drainage Plan Aug 2001
Liquid Waste Mgmt Plan Dec 2013
CoV 2014-2018 Financial Plan
Sustainable Infrastructure Invstmt Plan

COW Meeting Monday at 8:40 to present Liquid waste Management Plan.

http://www.vernon.ca/images/uploads/council/agendas/packages/20140410135610591.pdf
(Excerpts from above link)

Bus-sized 'fatberg' clogs London sewer

 Danica Kirka  LONDON — The Associated Press  Published Tuesday, Aug. 06 2013
It may look like an iceberg, but there’s nothing cool about it. Utility company Thames Water says it has discovered what it calls the biggest “fatberg” ever recorded in Britain — a 15-ton blob of congealed fat and baby wipes lodged in a sewer drain. That’s enough “wrongly flushed festering food fat mixed with wet wipes” to fill a double-decker bus such as the famous London Routemaster, the company said.  Thames Water deals with fatbergs all the time, thanks to the widespread use of household oil and food fat. But few reach the mammoth size of the one found under a road in the London suburb of Kingston. But with 108,000 kilometres (67,000 miles) of sewer pipes to monitor, and fatbergs forming around even a few wipes that catch on to a corner or a wall, Thames Water says it must be constantly vigilant. This blockage — built up over an estimated six months — was discovered after residents in nearby apartment buildings were unable to flush their toilets. Examination found that the mound of fat had reduced the 70-centimetre (28-inch) by 48-centimetre (19-inch) sewer to just 5 per cent of its normal capacity. It damaged the sewers so badly that it will take six weeks to repair them.  The company said Tuesday it was sharing news of the massive lard lump in hopes that customers will think twice about what they dump down the drain. It also released video footage of the fatberg, filmed by a remote vehicle gliding through the sewer like an underground amusement park ride. The company says untreated fatbergs cause flooding and backups. “It’s very lucky we caught this one,” said Craig Rance, a spokesman for Thames Water. Mind the fat.

Flush with confidence

 Thursday, 04 July 2013 02:00 SCOTT TRUDEAU Penticton Herald:
 An $11.7-million waste-water treatment plant in Okanagan Falls was officially opened Wednesday.  "This is a great step forward for the Okanagan Falls community," said Area D director Tom Siddon. "The current sewage system is almost 40 years old, and the age of the technology was beginning to show."  The new facility, located about one kilometre south of the community, has been operating since March 6. It replaces a plant that sat next to a residential area of OK Falls. The old plant was unable to keep up with the needs of the community or increasing environmental standards.  Waste water from the new plant is being treated using nutrient-removal technology, allowing it to be reused. For example, treated effluent is being used in the facility's heating and cooling systems as well as in its toilets and for irrigation. The treated effluent also is being released into the Okanagan River.  The new plant is equipped with a control room featuring sensors that allow staff to monitor the plant's mechanical workings and ensure equipment is working properly.  The project received $6.2 million in federal-provincial funding through the Canada-B.C. Building Canada fund, with the remaining amount coming from the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen.  With the new plant, residents will see a rise in sewer rates.  The exact breakdown of the cost was not known, but Siddon said in May that the rate hikes will be phased in over three years to mitigate the impact on ratepayers.  Residential rates will climb this year by $85 to $616, and additional hikes will occur in 2014 and 2015.   The new facility has nearly double the capacity of the former facility and currently services about 750 properties in the OK Falls area.

Landing residents frustrated over sewer fee

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: May 05, 2013 1:00 AM
Paying for a service they don’t use has some Okanagan Landing residents upset. The City of Vernon is enforcing a residential sewer base charge — $48.98 a quarter — to  anyone that has a sewer line going past their home but is not connected. “I’m not too impressed,” said resident Shirley Blatchford. “It’s never been mentioned that we would have to pay a sewer rate. We have a septic tank. We aren’t using the sewer system.” Blatchford looked at the city bylaw and she says the fee should only apply to properties connected to the service. However, she says that wasn’t the response when she contacted city hall with her concerns. “I was told that’s the way it is and there was no explanation,” she said. “I paid the fee and wrote a letter saying it’s not justified.” Also unhappy with the fee is resident Dean McAreavy. “I’m paying for something I don’t use,” he said. McAreavy says he spent $20,000 on a septic system when he built his home because sewer was not available, and then the sewer line was installed a year later. “We didn’t know it was coming,” he said, adding that if he had known in advance that sewer was going to be available, he would have adjusted his construction plans. The city defends the fee although property owners are not receiving sewer service. “The infrastructure is there and they have the ability to connect to it,” said Kevin Bertles, finance manager. “There is a cost to maintaining infrastructure.” Such a fee has always existed in the rates bylaw, but it’s just being enforced now. “It took us awhile to go back and compare as-billed properties to those not billed. It was part of a fairly significant project directed by council,” said Bertles.  Coun. Bob Spiers says residents should have been paying the fee since the bylaw was initiated in 2008. “If they have a sewer line in front of them, they have the ability to access it. If they don’t (access it), that’s their choice,” he said. Mayor Rob Sawatzky describes the fee as a standard local government protocol. “You provide an amenity that improves the value of a property, so the property owner shares in the cost. Inevitably, septic fields will fail and people want to connect to sewer right now,” he said.

Sewer rate rises

'Only another $5/year to sit on the Throne.'

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 15, 2013 1:00 AM
Vernon residents are paying more for sewer.  City council has given three readings to a new sewer user rates bylaw. It calls for a 2.5 per cent hike on base residential fees. “The last time rates changed is June 2008,” said Kevin Bertles, finance manager. “The cost of operating the sewer utility has gone up significantly.” The exact base change is from $48.98 to $50.20 quarterly or $4.88 a year. If council adopts the bylaw, the new rate will take effort for second quarter billing starting April 1.
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Don Quixote Note: There is no change in the 2.45m3 consumption charge/quarter (based on water consumption  minus first 20m 3 free in first Quarter) for the Residential  customer. The consumption charge is in addition to the new revised base rate charge of $50.20 per quarter.

Lumy hikes water, sewer rates

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: March 06, 2013 1:00 AM
Lumby residents will be flushing more money into water and sewer. On Monday, council gave three readings to bylaws that set the water and sewer rates for 2013. “We have to maintain a certain revenue stream to cover depreciation and operation costs,” said Mayor Kevin Acton. For water, the monthly flat rate will go from $12.35 to $13.50, plus the consumption rate will climb from 66 cents per cubic meter to 71 cents. The flat rate for sewer will go from $12.35 per to $13.50 per month, while the consumption fee will go from 41 cents per cubic meter (of water used) to 44 cents. Additionally a new flat rate has been established for multi-family residences (more than six units) at 75 per cent of the flat rate, plus consumption. “Usage went down so we didn’t break even with the utilities,” said Coun. Lori Mindnich. “The good news is people are conserving water but the bad news is it’s too much. The system needs to sustain itself.” The flat rate for garbage collection will go from $11.26 per month to $11.75 while the monthly fee for recycling collection will increase from $1.79 to $1.80.

Regional District of North Okanagan Board won’t support annexation bid

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 04, 2013 1:00 AM
Possibly expanding Vernon’s boundaries is getting a rough ride.  The city’s four representatives were out-numbered Wednesday when the rest of the Regional District of North Okanagan board voted not to support an application from a property on Barker Road in the BX to join Vernon. “We’re not going out and looking for these citizens. They are applying,” said Juliette Cunningham, a Vernon director. However, BX-Silver Star director Mike Macnabb is concerned the loss of land will impact his electoral area. “These single, small annexation requests create challenges for planning for the regional district and the city,” he said of the tax base and the ability to provide sustainable services. “Who will respond there? The BX-Swan Lake Fire Department has a list of who’s in and who’s out (of the electoral area),” said BX-Silver Star director Mike Macnabb. The applicant is seeking annexation so he can connect to Vernon’s sewer system and avoid replacement of a failing septic field. However, RDNO officials say the application package does not include supporting documentation by a qualified professional on the status of the septic system. “We’re just taking their word that they have a septic failure and need to join the city,” said Bob Fleming, BX-Swan Lake. Macnabb says he isn’t convinced that the condition of the septic field is a sufficient reason for local jurisdictions to change boundaries. ‘It erodes the fabric of electoral areas and we want to prevent that,” he said. RDNO is calling on Vernon to provide sewer to the property without the land being annexed. However, city director Rob Sawatzky insists that isn’t possible. “We can’t cherry-pick city services and we have to be consistent with city policy,” he said of current rules which link access to sewer with annexation. The final decision on the Barker Road annexation application rests with the provincial government. In a related matter, RDNO continues to proceed with a study on the impact of portions of electoral areas joining municipalities. “We hope the study clarifies some of the issues. This is the first time it’s been done in the province,” said Macnabb.

Councillor pushes for sewer fee change

By Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star Published: December 02, 2012 1:00 AM

Cheaper to crap in Vernon than Coldstream

A Coldstream politician’s annual effort to establish a fairer sewer fee system has tapped into some support. But not enough to bring it on board.  Every year, Coun. Gyula Kiss tries to persuade his council colleagues to adopt a truer user pay system for sewer charges. Under the current system he says, “it’s the low users that are actually subsidizing the high users.” Kiss says the current flat fee of $94 is too high and he suggests it be reduced to $75 and increase the per cubic metre rate. “Our intention is that people actually start cutting back on their water usage,” said Kiss. “If we use this system people might actually start cutting back on their usage.” Coun. Richard Enns doesn’t support the idea. “The proposal to move to a pure user-pay system is going to punish families,” said Enns. But Kiss disagrees. “It would be fairer and it would still be a subsidy to the higher users but not as heavy.” Coun. Maria Besso likes the idea of a fairer system but also cautions it. “What’s difficult with that is it’s a hard sell to the public,” said Besso. Coun. Pat Cochrane suggested a truer user-pay system be phased in over a two-to-three year period. “I think the user-pay is worthwhile for virtually everything and maybe it just needs to be an incremental process.” Kiss’ user-pay suggestion did not gain enough support from council to pass, but he is not giving up. “I’m going to present this again for the next year and I’m going to lobby the public to support it.”

Effluent discharge proposal draws fire

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: September 05, 2012 1:00 AM
An environmental group is challenging the possibility of treated effluent being pumped into Okanagan Lake. The City of Vernon is considering lake discharges of reclaimed water that exceeds the need for irrigating fields and parks. “Treated or not, no effluent should be discharged directly into any lake,” said Brad Foster, with Sierra Club Okanagan. “Even the treated effluent from sewage plants can contain pollutants such as trace-harmful chemicals and excess nutrients that can stimulate bacteria and algae growth that can adversely affect aquatic life as well as water quality.” An outfall pipe in Okanagan Lake was constructed in the late 1980s. There has only been one discharge ever, in 1996. That was a result of a wet summer preventing irrigation and the reservoir level had to be reduced. Some officials have suggested discharging into the lake would reduce the power costs of pumping effluent up the hill to the spray irrigation reservoir in the Commonage. But Foster says options are required. “A solar energy system should be installed,” he said. The concept of lake discharges has surfaced as part of the city’s liquid waste management plan review. “This isn’t to say this is where we’re going,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham, adding that the review process will include public consultation. “When you’re looking at a long-range plan, you need to look at everything. There may be some years when we can’t irrigate like we do (because of weather).” Cunningham also questions why some groups are so focused on Vernon. “Why is our highly treated water any different than that being discharged into the lake by Kelowna and other communities?” said Cunningham.

Effluent discharge could be approved

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: August 19, 2012 1:00 AM
During an update on the liquid waste management plan review, council members were told there would be few legislative hurdles to stop reclaimed waste water from being discharged into the lake. “There is a high likelihood of (receiving) a yes from the Ministry of Environment,” said Ehren Lee, with Urban Systems, the consulting firm overseeing the review. An outfall pipe was installed in Okanagan Lake in the late 1980s despite strong opposition from some residents and environmental groups. The only discharge occurred in 1996 because a wet summer delayed irrigation of waste water on fields and  the reservoir level had to be reduced. A similar situation arose in 2008 and the city faced legal action from Save Our Lakes. Ultimately, a discharge was not required. The city recently held a public open house on the proposed liquid waste management plan. Thirty-five people attended and 24 completed questionnaires. Of those, 78 per cent agreed with a discharge if the waste water meets provincial standards. Eighty-one  per cent expressed concern about the pumping costs related to the land-based spray irrigation program ($550,000 in power costs in 2011). Coun. Bob Spiers isn’t sure how much focus should be placed on the questionnaire results. “It’s a very small sample size of the community,” he said. Lee points out that any discharge into the lake would only be for surplus treated effluent not used by the spray irrigation program. “That (surplus) will depend on the year. In a wet year, up to 50 per cent could be excess but in a dry year, there could be little excess,” he said. As part of the process, the consultant is determining the potential impact of a discharge on a variety of areas, including water quality and fish and plant life. Coun. Juliette Cunningham understands there are public concerns but says the potential for discharges should be considered. “The water quality would be pretty high that we would be discharging,” she said. A draft report on the liquid waste management review could be before council by Dec. 31.

Ottawa announces new wastewater regulations - New rules could cost municipalities billions

CBC News Posted: Jul 18, 2012 3:29 PM PT 
The federal environment minister has introduced new rules for wastewater treatment aimed at controlling the wastewater entering Canada's lakes, rivers and oceans. Environment Minister Peter Kent made the announcement Wednesday at a news conference in Delta, B.C. "We want water that is clean, safe and plentiful for future generations of Canadians to enjoy," he said. "Through these regulations, we are addressing one of the largest sources of pollution in our waters. We've set the country’s first national standards for sewage treatment. These standards will reduce the levels of harmful substances deposited to surface water from wastewater systems in Canada." Under the new rules, it will no longer be good enough for municipalities to use only primary treatment, in which solids that float or sink are removed. Municipalities will now be required to perform secondary treatment, where dissolved organic material is removed as well.

Sewage treatment facilities will have a period to comply — 10, 20 or 30 years depending on whether the facility is considered a high, medium, or low risk in terms of the pollution it’s putting out. Environmental groups have criticized this timeline in the past, but Kent says the projects are too large to be moved along any faster. According to Kent, the government estimates roughly 75 per cent of municipalities are already in compliance with the new rules, and the remaining 25 per cent must upgrade to at least secondary wastewater treatment. The new rules mean upgrades will be required at two facilities in Metro Vancouver — the Lions Gate Wastewater Treatment Plant in North Vancouver and the Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant in Richmond. The cost of the upgrades is estimated at $1.4 billion. Kent acknowledged the total costs to municipalities would run into the billions, but said the federal government is providing municipalities with infrastructure funding and they are free to use that money to pay for wastewater upgrades. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities says it welcomes the new regulations, but the group is calling on Ottawa to create a national funding program to pay for the wastewater upgrades.