The Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) is considering the implementation of a septic regulatory program within Electoral Areas A, B and C, in an effort to reduce the impacts of sewage contamination in sensitive water courses.
“Protecting our environment and ensuring a healthy ecosystem is a top priority,” said Marc Rutten, general manager of CVRD engineering services. “The CVRD is recommending mandatory pump-outs of septic systems in all electoral areas plus requirements for inspections for high-risk areas.”
High-risk areas within the CVRD have been identified as “areas of higher residential lot density, such as Royston, Union Bay, Saratoga Beach, Bates Beach and Ships Point.”
Those areas were identified as a result of a 2020 study to assess the public and environmental health risks associated with septic systems throughout the CVRD.
The proposed program would include:
• Inspection-based program for high-risk areas, with mandatory pump-outs in all areas.
• Creation of a regulatory bylaw mandating septic inspections in identified high-risk areas and periodic pump-outs for Type 1 systems (i.e. every five years) and annual maintenance in accordance with the system maintenance plan for Type 2 and 3 systems for all areas.
• All pump-outs, maintenance and inspections would be co-ordinated and arranged by individual property owners.
• Incentives for septic system inspections and/or upgrades may also be included depending on program resources.
For information on costs to individual homeowners, visit the Q&A section at engagecomoxvalley.ca/septicregulations.
CVRD manager of liquid waste planning, Darry Monteith, said the blueprint for such a program is not unique to the Comox Valley.
“The program has been substantially modelled after the Captial Regional District’s regulatory bylaw,” she said. “The CRD is currently the only other B.C. local government with a septic regulatory program in place.”
Septic systems are regulated throughout B.C. under the provincial sewage system regulation.
“It (provincial regulation) says that it is the responsibility of the property owner to ensure that their septic system is being properly maintained, but that regulation does not include any measures to ensure that the maintenance is actually being completed,” said Monteith.
Electoral Area residents are invited to attend an information session on Monday, April 29, 5-7 p.m. at the CVRD office (770 Harmston Ave., Courtenay, Civic Room) to learn more about the proposed program and next steps.