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Onsite Sewage System Management

Last updated on November 27, 2023

An important function of public health protection is developing policy in waste management and other land-use planning initiatives to minimize, mitigate and/or prevent environmental threats to human health.

An onsite sewage system is usually located on the land where sewage originates. This type of system treats effluent from buildings that are not serviced by a larger municipal or regional sewage system.

The Sewerage System Regulation, under the Public Health Act regulates sewage holding tanks and sewerage systems that discharge to ground and are designed to receive a sewage flow of less than 22,700 litres per day (5000 Imperial gallons). Regional health authorities accept filings with respect to these types of sewerage system.

The Municipal Wastewater Regulation, under the Environmental Management Act regulates wastewater treatment systems which are designed to discharge 22,700 litres per day or more (5,000 Imperial gallons) to ground, or to discharge any volume to water. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy issues authorizations with respect to these types of sewage system.

For guidance in determining which regulation applies, contact your regional health authority or the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. The final decision in any individual case is determined by the regulator, which may involve collaboration through a referral and review from one agency to the other.

The Sewerage System Regulation describes three types of sewage systems approved for the disposal of wastewater (domestic sewage):

  • Type 1: Treatment by a septic tank and dispersal field only.
  • Type 2: Treatment that produces an effluent consistently containing less than 45 mg/L of total suspended solids and having a five-day biochemical oxygen demand of less than 45 mg/L.
  • Type 3: Treatment that produces an effluent consistently containing less than 10 mg/L of total suspended solids and having:    
    • A five-day biochemical oxygen demand of less than 10 mg/L.
    • A median fecal coliform density of less than 400 Colony Forming Units per 100 mL.

Restriction on Construction and Maintenance

An “authorized person” under the Sewerage System Regulation includes:

See also: Authorized Persons under the Sewerage System Regulation (PDF, 182KB)

Registered onsite wastewater practitioners are qualified to design and/or construct type 1 and 2 systems only. Professional engineers may design and/or construct type 3 systems, as well.

Registration of Authorized Persons

Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC (ASTTBC) registers practitioners – who then become "authorized persons" under the Sewerage System Regulation – once they have obtained the proper training through an accredited organization. ASTTBC is also responsible for accrediting the educational programs in B.C. for wastewater practitioners.

Filings

The Sewerage System Regulation requires an "authorized person" constructing a sewerage system to submit to the Health Authority information about that  sewage system (referred to as “filing”), along with a letter of certification. The letter of certification must be submitted to the health authority within 30 days of completing construction to provide assurances that the plans and specifications are consistent with standard practice. (See Sewerage System Standard Practice Manual.)

Site Investigations

Site investigations of sewage systems may be initiated in cases where systems are suspected to be negatively affecting a drinking water supply or causing health hazard, as per the Public Health Act.

In general, these investigations are complaint driven. They are carried out locally by Environmental Health Officers, who are responsible for service delivery in B.C.’s health authorities regarding:

  • Onsite sewage disposal.
  • Health implications of solid and liquid waste disposal.
  • Land use activities and communicable disease.
  • Public health issues concerning subdivision assessment processes