Sanitary Sewers and Wastewater

Emergencies

If you are experiencing a backup, smelling sewer gas, or encountering another kind of sewer emergency, please contact the Utilities Department:

• 778-797-2246; 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding holidays
• 778-797-1000 extension 1; after hours

New Connections

If you are on a septic system and would like to connect to city sewers, please contact the Building Department, or have your contractor reach the city, to obtain the necessary permits. Call 778-797-8820.

Odour Problems

In the Home

If you smell sewer gas in your home, call our Utilities Department at 778-797-2246, 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding holidays; or 778-797-1000, extension 1 after hours.

Around the Treatment Plant

Crews take many steps to reduce odours, but smells do occur occasionally. If odours become a problem, please email the Regional District of Central Okanagan at engineering@cord.bc.ca or call 250-469-6241.

Prevent Clog and Messy Backups 

Don't rush; think before you flush! Clogged pipes, odours or backed up sewers are problems you may face around your home or business if you put the wrong liquids or solids down the sink or toilet. Keep the following items out of sinks, drains and toilets:

• Food waste
• Fats, grease and deep fryer, vegetable and cooking oils
• Lard, butter, salad dressing, marinade for meats
• Vegetables, meat, pasta, bread, and other food waste items

Garbage disposal units and Garburators

Garburators or garbage disposal units are not permissible within the City of West Kelowna.

The City's municipal sanitary sewer system directs wastewater to the Regional District of Central Okanagan's Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant and therefore the RDCO has jurisdiction. 

The City of West Kelowna Sanitary Sewer BYLAW NO. 0072, Item 10.2, states: 

• No person shall directly or indirectly discharge into the municipal sanitary sewer system: (hh) any water or waste containing substances in concentrations that are not amenable to treatment or reduction by the sewage treatment process employed, or are amenable to treatment only to such a degree that the sewage treatment plant effluent cannot, during normal operation, meet the requirement of any other agency having jurisdiction over discharges to the receiving waters.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan Sewer Systems Bylaw No. 1171, 2006 states that it does not permit garburators, and they are banned from use in homes in order to better protect the system.

Item 5.22 states:

• No person shall discharge or cause to be discharged at any entry point into the sanitary sewer system: b) any garbage that has been ground, comminuted, or shredded by a garbage disposal unit or by “in sink” garburator

Rates and Utility Bills

Please visit our Utility Billing webpage for more information.

Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant

If you have questions, concerns or would like more information regarding the treatment plant, its processes and annual reports, please visit the RDCO website or call 250-763-4918.