Over the course of the last several months, WCOWMA-BC has been working with the FVRD and Urban Systems Ltd. on a proposed maintenance bylaw for sensitive areas in the FVRD. This maintenance bylaw would include a public education component in order to ensure the homeowners in these areas were made aware of the importance of maintaining their onsite wastewater systems.

On Wednesday, June 24, a meeting was held with the FVRD Board to discuss this proposal.

Over the course of a two hour presentation, information was brought forward on septage management issues in the areas of Cultis, Errock and Hatzic Lakes. Lot sizes in the target areas are very small and many of the homes are serviced by Type I systems. A smaller percentage are serviced by Type II systems. There is no data available on whether these systems are being maintained at all, however density around the lake is quite high, therefore cumulative impact is likely to be significant.

While the FVRD Board recognizes that there may be issues, they appeared loathe to add to the cost of homeowners by enacting a bylaw. The focus will shift towards a robust public education program similar to that of the Capital Region District and the Regional District of Nanaimo.