WHEREAS private water systems are governed under the Water Utility Act, which ensures that the public interest is protected from a monopoly that has no competition in the area of service it provides; AND WHEREAS the Water Utility Act provides for the appointment of a Comptroller of Water Rights with the authority to ensure that the rates charged to customers of water systems are not excessive, but reasonably allow only for operating costs, a contribution for capital replacement and upgrade, and a provision for management fees; AND WHEREAS no similar regulations exist to ensure the same level of transparency, responsibility and protection for private sewer utilities: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Province establish legislation to govern private sewer utilities to ensure that the same level of accountability found in the Water Utility Act is afforded to customers of private sewer utilities.
MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT At this time, the provincial government is not considering the regulation of private sewer utilities. The Province of British Columbia Province is not in a position to offer the additional resources required for the Province to begin regulating private sewer utilities. The Province will investigate this issue further in the next year, particularly in regard to the prevalence of the problem. The Ministry of Environment will consult with both the Ministry of Health and local governments while conducting this research. The Province may revisit the issue if research indicates a need for regulation. The MSR is currently under review, and the issues of the transparency and accountability of private sewage systems has been identified for consideration this is the likely venue for addressing these issues. Currently, the Province views local governments as best suited to provide sewer system services.