The province approved changes to the Liquid Waste Management Plans (LWMP) for the South and North Shuswap and the Sicamous areas in March 2025.
The rationale for these changes is a recognition that community sewer systems are expensive and it will be many years before they might be delivered, even to high priority areas. As a result, the changes emphasize the importance of septic system maintenance and education.
The CSRD states that areas where community sewer systems are planned may not be serviced for 10 to 15 years as higher priority areas, like Scotch Creek, move forward with their systems. It is important to note that since Scotch Creek was identified as a priority in the early 2000’s, the CSRD has managed to serve about 25% of the community with a community water system and has made no progress on community sewer systems. 10 to 15 years seems optimistic and community sewer may never happen.
Until there has been a breakthrough in securing funding and/or a feasible discharge location for a community sewer systems, CSRD’s efforts will focus on septic system management.
Given the rural nature of most of the CSRD, and the challenges in regional areas establishing community sewer systems, the CSRD will continue to focus on septic system maintenance, among other implementation areas. The CSRD and its residents are proposing to enhance liquid waste management in the region through septic system rebates, incentivizing greater homeowner vigilance of septic systems and hence, protecting public health and the environment.
The following septic system rebates were approved by the CSRD Board on June 19th.
- Up to $400 to install risers (a portal for ease of access to the septic tank) ·
- Up to $500 to install or replace distribution boxes (centralized box within septic field that equally distributes wastewater into connecting pipes) ·
- Up to $300 to conduct a complete system inspection by an accredited Registered Onsite Wastewater Professional (ROWP).
- Up to $200 to install an effluent filter
For more information on the Septic Smart Program from the CSRD website click here.