Sewer & Wastewater

How the sewer system works

Silvermere runs a community sanitary sewer collection system. Approximately 74 km of pipe and 12 lift stations gather wastewater from homes and businesses across the city, then convey it to one of two treatment plants. Treated effluent eventually discharges to Cedar Creek under provincial permit.

Where your wastewater goes

The City operates two wastewater treatment facilities.

• South Sewage Treatment Plant (SSTP), serves most of Silvermere. Wastewater passes through headworks with screens that remove garbage and large solids, then a vortex and classifier that remove grit, followed by flow measurement and treatment.
• North Sewage Treatment Plant (NSTP), receives wastewater from the north end, including flow that crosses via the CPR bridge.

Reporting a backup or problem

If you smell sewer gas, see water backing up out of a drain, or notice anything unusual coming from a manhole, call Civic Works at 250-555-0140. During regular hours they will dispatch a crew. After hours, the call is routed to the on-call utility staff. Don't try to fix a sewer backup yourself, the cause may be on the City side of the connection.

New connections

For new builds and major renovations inside city limits, the City installs sewer service connections from the main to your property line. Apply for water, sewer, and storm service through Civic Works as part of the building permit process.

Liquid Waste Management Plan

The City is developing a long-term Liquid Waste Management Plan that guides infrastructure renewal. Recent investments include the South Sewage Treatment Plant North Train Renewal Project.