The Regional District of Nanaimo is situated on the east coast of Vancouver Island and is home to more than 140,000 people. Of these, about 30,000 rely on onsite systems for treatment of their wastewater. While the RDN does not regulate onsite systems, it does promote onsite system awareness though its SepticSmart program.

Each year the RDN offers free SepticSmart workshops to residents. Workshops highlight the proper use of onsite systems, the importance of regular maintenance, the prevention and detection of onsite system failure, and what to do when an onsite system fails. It also reviews the roles of an Authorized Person and gives the residents a chance to meet and ask questions of a ROWP “industry expert”.

In 2014, the RDN launched a new Septic Maintenance Rebate which covers 75% of eligible expenses in three categories for a maximum rebate of $200 per category (total maximum rebate is $600 per household). Rebates categories included:

1. production of a custom maintenance plan
2. installation of an effluent filter
3. installation of one or more risers.

The rebate categories were specifically chosen to promote long-term onsite system maintenance.

WCOWMA-BC partnered with the RDN in 2014 and 2015 to enhance the SepticSmart program and address regional gaps in onsite wastewater management. The partnership with the RDN helped to address the knowledge gap by expanding participation in the SepticSmart program and providing funds so more rebates are available to the public.

The RDN’s 2014 SepticSmart program was a great success thanks to the partnership with WCOWMA-BC. Workshop participation reached a six-year high with 166 people attending four workshops. Additionally, the Septic Maintenance Rebate distributed more than $25,000 in rebates across 98 households.

The Septic Maintenance Rebate is available again in 2015 until the end of the year or until funds are exhausted. For more information, visitwww.SepticSmart.ca or call RDN Wastewater Services at 250-390-6560.