The Regional District operates five community sewer systems in accordance with the Environmental Management Act. Systems typically include gravity feed or low-pressure collection mains, control valves and lagoons for storage and treatment. Discharge following treatment is by spray irrigation to agricultural fields and forested areas, or directly to a watercourse. Costs associated with system construction, operation and maintenance are paid by service area residents.
The Bendixon Community Sewer System was constructed in 2006 to service 19 area residences. The system consists of a septic tank and effluent pump (STEP) connection at each residence and sewage discharge to a three cell aerated lagoon treatment system. Effluent discharge is by spray irrigation to forested land. Routine monitoring occurs prior to and during spray irrigation activities to ensure that treatment performance objectives are met prior to discharge. Effluent is occasionally treated to meet discharge standards.
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The Buckhorn Community Sewer System services 28 residences, a volunteer firehall and an elementary school. Hookups consist of a septic tank and effluent pump (STEP) connection at each location and sewage discharge to a three cell lagoon treatment system. At this time there is no spray irrigation operation.
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The Tabor Lake Community Sewer Treatment and Disposal System serves the Sons of Norway Strata subdivision and nearby residences. The system consists of a storage lagoon and facultative treatment lagoon with discharge of the treated effluent by spray irrigation to a hayfield. Routine monitoring occurs prior to, and during spray irrigation activities to ensure that treatment performance objectives are met prior to discharge. Effluent treatment by chlorine is occasionally required to meet discharge standards.
The sewage collection system within the Sons of Norway subdivision is owned and maintained by the strata corporation.
A community sewer system at Summit Lake was completed in 2010 to serve residents of the Adams and Talus Road areas. There are two separate designs for this system with a septic tank and effluent pump (STEP) system connected to a multi cell lagoon treatment system for Adams Road, and a septic tank that is pumped out and brought to the lagoon system for treatment for Talus Road. Effluent discharge is achieved by discharge to the approved wetland.
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West Lake Estates area residents requested construction of a new community sewer system to serve 23 residences. A BC Community Water Improvement Program Grant assisted in funding the project which was completed in 2007. The concept design is a septic tank effluent pump system connected to a multi-cell facultative lagoon treatment system. Effluent discharge is achieved by spray irrigation to a forested area.
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In 2011 there was an assent vote that supported a proposed Willow River Community Sewer and Water Service. Service area residents would be responsible for 1/3 of the estimated construction costs and infrastructure grant funding would pay for the remaining 2/3. Grant applications were submitted, but they were not successful and no funding was available to proceed with the project. Given the length of time since the assent vote, and no progress has been made, the project is on hold. Public consultation will be necessary if residents want to move forward again, or if there is interest in modifying the scope of the project.