Septic Regulation Service

The proposed program is needed for a number of reasons including:

• Aging systems: Many of the septic systems are more than 25 years old. Poorly functioning systems pose an environmental and public safety risk.
• Environmental protection: Required maintenance would help protect sensitive aquifers and aquatic and marine habitats from sewage contamination.
• High dwelling density: Many electoral area neighborhoods were established prior to the introduction of provincial septic regulations,  and include concentrations of homes considerably higher than what would be permitted under current standards.
   

1. Mandatory pump-outs in all electoral areas and an inspection-based program for high-risk areas.
2. All pump-outs, maintenance and inspections to be coordinated and arranged by the individual property owners.
    

An Order in Council (OIC) request is a special request to the province to amend the current CVRD regulation. The CVRD requires additional authority from the province to “impose requirements” prior to establishing a septic regulatory program.

The CVRD is currently reviewing what enforcement could look like. Similar to other CVRD bylaws, it could be that persistently non-compliant property owners could be subject to fines or other penalties.

The program start up is currently planned for 2026, if all approvals and successful completion of an electoral assent process in 2025 is achieved. Please visit {engagecomoxvalley.ca/septicregulation] to learn more, ask a question, or comment about the proposed septic maintenance regulations.

The expected costs of the proposed program are not anticipated to be significant for homeowners who are already maintaining their system according to provincial regulations. The annual septic regulatory program budget is currently estimated to be $100,000 - $200,000 annually, which would result in a modest annual property tax increase for electoral area households. Further details on program costs will be available in advance of a 2025 elector approval process for the program.

The high-risk areas identified in the 2020 septic regulatory options study included:

• Robinsons Lake
• Saratoga Beach
• Bates Beach
• Royston/Gartley/Kilmarnock
• Union Bay
• Ships Point
• Some Hornby neighborhoods

These areas were identified due to a number of risk factors, including:

• Higher residential lot density, with many lots considerably smaller than permitted under current subdivision standards
• Drinking water provided by private wells
• Proximity to sensitive environmental features (ex: Baynes Sound, freshwater habitats)
• Evidence of groundwater contamination in a prior study
• A high consequence of failure for public and/or environmental health

High -risk areas will be further reviewed as program requirements are developed. Under the new regulatory program, high-risk areas would see added inspection requirements.
 

Program Requirements Per Area & System

2024: 

• Following consideration by the Electoral Areas Services Committee later this spring, an Order in Council request will be submitted to the province in Summer 2024.
  • What’s an Order in Council (OIC) request? This is a special request to the province to amend the current CVRD regulation. The CVRD requires additional authority from the province to “impose requirements” prior to establishing a septic regulatory program.
• In Fall of 2024, should provincial approval be granted, the electoral area directors will confirm direction for either a referendum or alternate approval process to establish the program.

2025:

• Referendum or Alternate Approval Process.

2026: 

• Program startup.
   

• 2020 Septic Regulatory Program Options Study
• BC Sewerage System Regulation
• Onsite Sewage Systems – Province of BC
• CVRD Septic Education 
• Staff Report - October 2023 Septic Regulatory Program Next Steps
• ASTTBC Registrant Directory – search for Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioners (ROWP)