Guidelines and Resources

Sewerage System Standard Practice Manual (SPM) V3

The Sewerage System Standard Practice Manual (SPM), Version 3(PDF, 7.6MB) is the main reference for B.C. wastewater practitioners responsible for planning, installing and maintaining onsite sewage systems, pursuant to the Sewerage System Regulation and Public Health Act.

FAQs and Errata, November 2015 (PDF, 125KB) provides answers to common questions on the SPM V3. It also includes a summary of errata (typos and link errors) in the manual.

Composting Toilet and Greywater Practice

The primary purpose of the Manual of Composting Toilet and Greywater Practice (PDF, 2MB) is to provide minimum standards and guidelines for planning, installation, monitoring and maintenance of composting toilet and greywater systems that will protect human health and the environment.

The Health Information: Grey Water Re-use (PDF, 409KB) document outlines information on greywater and greywater reuse from the perspective of health protection and within the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health.

Resources for Authorized Persons and Health Officers

Sewerage System Regulation and Municipal Wastewater Regulation: Jurisdictional Flow Divide for Onsite Sewerage System (PDF, 125KB) -This guidance document is intended to clarify the meaning of section 2 of the Sewerage System Regulation (SSR) and section 4 of the Municipal Wastewater Regulation (MWR).

The Health Hazards: Responsibilities of Authorized Person (PDF, 176KB) guidance document is intended for Authorized Persons filing sewerage system letters of certification pursuant to section 9 of the Sewerage System Regulation.

The Health Hazard Communication Guideline (PDF, 406KB) clarifies the roles of the health officers, health authorities, Engineers & Geoscientists BC, and Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of BC; and the communication processes that may arise between those individuals and organizations.

The Sewerage System Policy for Setback from Wells Based on Repairs or Alterations (PDF, 97KB) provides additional detail to the Sewerage System Regulation Amendments document.

The Sewerage System Regulation Amendments (PDF, 142KB) document provides plain language summary of changes made to the Sewerage System Regulation in 2010 to enhance the system of onsite wastewater management in BC.

Resources for Onsite Sewage System Owners

Here is a list of publications on topics related to onsite sewage systems:

The Authorized Persons under the Sewerage System Regulation (PDF, 214KB) provides information about the two types of authorized person under the Sewerage System Regulation (SSR) including their roles and scope of work.

How to Find a Septic Tank (PDF, 3.5MB)  - If a home is not connected to a municipal sewage system, it likely relies on a septic system to manage wastewater. Knowing the exact location of your septic tank is essential for proper maintenance, preventing costly repairs, and protecting the environment.

The HealthLinkBC: Maintenance and Operation of Onsite Sewage Systems provides general information on the why, what, when, and how onsite sewage systems are required, managed, and operated.

The Sewage Systems and Flooding (PDF, 330KB) document provides information about how to respond to and recover from emergency flooding of your system.