Sanitary Sewer Issues

Call the City at 604-591-4152 if:

• The vacuum chamber is full or overflowing
• You hear a hissing or vacuum noise
• All your toilet sinks, showers, or tub drains are not working

Do not call the City if only a single toilet or sink within the home is experiencing problems (and other fixtures are fine). It is most likely a private issue and is the property owner’s responsibility.

Call the City at 604-591-4152 immediately if:

• Sewer manholes on the street or boulevard are overflowing, missing, or damaged

Call the City at 604-591-4152 or Report a Problem online if:

• Your inspection chamber is full or overflowing
• All your toilet sinks, showers, or tub drains are not working
• You have a missing or damaged inspection chamber lid or other inquiry

City staff will investigate. If we can access the inspection chamber and there is a blockage on the City side, we will clear it at no cost to the property owner. If there is a missing or damaged lid, we will replace it at no cost. If the issue is deemed to be on the private side, the property owner will bear all costs.

If we cannot locate the inspection chamber, or if it is inaccessible, the property owner must ensure it is accessible before crews can continue. In some cases, property owners can use an approved City of Surrey contractor to assist. Call us for more information.

Do not call the City if only a single toilet or sink within the home is experiencing problems (and other fixtures are fine). It is most likely a private issue and is the property owner’s responsibility.

Call the City at 604-591-4152 if:

• Neighbouring or multiple nearby properties also on LPS are also experiencing sewer systems

For other issues, LPS systems 2005 and newer are deemed private all the way to the city mainline and are the property owner’s responsibility. Call a certified plumber familiar with LPS systems.

Some LPS systems prior to 2005 have shared responsibilities between the City and property owner at property line.

Septic systems are private and are the property owner’s responsibility.

To report a failing septic system issue, contact Fraser Health Authority at 604-587-3936

Our first priority is to determine whether the issue is on private property or on the City side. Some systems such as septic or low-pressure sewer systems are the homeowner’s responsibility.

Usually, for gravity systems that have inspection chambers, the point of blockage determines who pays the cost of clearing the pipe. The portion of the pipe on City property is the responsibility of the City of Surrey, and the portion of the pipe on private property or sometimes between Right of Ways or third-party agreements amongst properties is the responsibility of the owner.

If the inspection chamber is inaccessible or does not exist in older properties, then the proof as to whether the issue resides on City property lies with the property owner. A private plumber or contractor would need to prove with a closed-circuit camera television plumbing inspection tool to an onsite City representative in order for the City to accept responsibility, deal with the blockage and re-instate service.

Clearing of blockages or pipes on the City side without City staff onsite would not be reimbursed. If the blockage of a sewer service is also determined to be due to the property owner’s own negligence (e.g. broken lids from vehicles driving on top of inspection chambers which do not have appropriate protective covers) then the City can also recover any costs associated with attending to the property.

If you have sustained any injury, loss or damage to yourself, home or property, contact your insurance carrier. The City cannot do any work on private property in relation to any potential loss. Therefore, it is your responsibility to mitigate any damages that have occurred or are occurring.

Any damages or costs incurred need to be filed with a Notice of Claim Form through the City of Surrey Risk Management Division. Call 604-591-4529 for more information.

The Local Government Act requires that the City Clerk receive a Notice of Claim within two months of the date of loss. Once the completed form has been received, Risk Management will acknowledge receipt for the notice and investigate the incident. The City will make a decision and inform you whether or not the City will be providing compensation.

Unplugging a blocked sewer drain may solve the immediate problem for a homeowner but it is no guarantee that the issue will not re-occur. It is important to know and understand what or how the blockage was caused.

Shortcuts often lead to bigger issues. For example:

• Tree roots on the private side enter the sewer pipe and cause a blockage
• The homeowner or contractor reinstate the service with an auger or root cutting tool
• The issue may reoccur again since roots will grow back.
• Excessive cleaning with auger or root cutters can also degrade the sewer pipe, causing pipe failure leading to emergency and costly repairs.

Using a contractor with access to a closed-circuit television plumbing inspection camera allows for visual inspection inside the pipe and can help determine how the issue occurred or what future measures need to be taken to prevent it from happening again.

It is up to the property owner to decide whether to apply a long-term solution for any issues that are on the private side and fall under their responsibility.

When City staff attend to investigate an issue on the City side, we video inspect the sewer service to ensure any other immediate issues have been dealt with or if they require follow-up.

Odours are created when farmers plow or fertilize their fields. For example, livestock, poultry, and mushroom farms.

Large sewer trunk mains owned and operated by Metro Vancouver funnel City sewer to wastewater treatment facilities. When these are flushed, used, or cleaned they sometimes produce an odour. You might smell it if your property is adjacent to this infrastructure.

Metro Vancouver has odour reducing devices to reduce the odour as much as possible, but you may still get some odour from time to time.

Small animals like mice and rats can find their way into small areas underneath sheds, homes, and patios. Their fecal matter or decaying bodies can produce a strong odour that permeates throughout a home or area.

Contact the Fraser Health Authority with issues regarding small animals like mice and rats.

P traps are necessary to prevent sewer gases from coming up through the plumbing fixtures in your home. The water in the P trap prevents odours from travelling back into your home. If you do not have P traps installed or they are dry and not full of water due to inactive use, you could experience sewer odours in your home.

Run water through all your plumbing fixtures (showers, toilets, sinks, tubs) before leaving on a trip for an extended period. If you don’t, the water within the P traps can evaporate and cause odour issues.

Proper plumbing permits during new or renovation construction are required to make sure P traps are installed and functioning correctly.

Properly installed wax seal toilet rings are necessary to prevent odour. The wax ring must be replaced with a new one every time the toilet is removed. If your toilet is not stable, or rocks back and forth, the wax ring is likely not properly seated and will allow for sewer odours to enter your building.

Sometimes plumbing roof vents for bathrooms and plumbing fixtures get clogged with leaves or animal nests. Maintain and keep your vents clear to prevent odours and to ensure wastewater can be properly discharged.

If there is gurgling or poor draining in your plumbing, check that there is no debris in the discharge pipe and that the vent pipe is clear. Poorly fitted pipes and fittings along with cracks and holes in plumbing pipes can allow for sewer odours to leak into the home if not corrected.

Your—or your neighbour’s—waste carts and compost bins can give off pungent odours, especially if they have been in extreme heat or have recently been turned over.

• Use secure compost bins which can be turned over or mixed more easily
• Keep compost material moist to keep odours down
• Place newspapers in the organics bin and wash your carts out to minimize odours

Surrey has businesses that can produce odour (like fertilizer production, fish processing, and rendering plants). The odour can be increased if their odour control equipment is not working correctly.

Contact Metro Vancouver or Fraser Health Authority if you have a complaint about industrial odour.