Septic System Care and Maintenance

Extracted text (beginning)

For Comox Valley Homeowners
Septic System 
Care and 
Maintenance
Learn more about septic system maintenance: 
comoxvalleyrd.ca/septic
600 Comox Road, Courtenay, BC V9N 3P6
Tel: 250-334-6000 | Fax: 250-334-4358
Toll Free: 1-800-331-6007
comoxvalleyrd.ca  
Do’s and Don’ts of 
Septic System Care and 
Maintenance
      Do
•  Locate and maintain easy access 
 to the components of your septic 
system
• Develop and follow a maintenance plan
• Be careful with what goes down
 the drain
• Get your septic tank pumped out 
 every 2 – 5 years
      Don’t
• Use cleaners and chemicals
 that can kill the good bacteria in the 
septic tank
• Park, drive, pave or put heavy objects 
on the drain field
• Plant trees or shrubs in the drain field
• Overload the system by running too 
many high-water use appliances at 
 the same time
Important Contact Information
Island Health
Health Protection & Environmental Services
355 - 11th Street, Courtenay BC V9N 1S4
www.islandhealth.ca/learn-about-health/
environment/sewerage-subdivision 
Tel: 250-331-8518 
Association of Professional Engineers 
& Geoscientists of BC
200 - 4010 Regent Street, Burnaby BC V5C 6N2
(List of professionals for Sewerage System Regulation) 
www.egbc.ca/Member-Directories/
Professionals-for-Sewerage-System-Regulation
Tel: 1-888-430-8035
Applied Science Technologists 
& Technicians of BC
Onsite Wastewater Registration Program 
10767 – 148th Street, Surrey BC V3R 0S4
(List of Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioners) 
https://owrp.asttbc.org/rowp-finder
Tel: 604-585-2788 ext. 254
Ministry of Health
1515 Blanshard Street, Victoria BC V8W 3C8
www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/
environment/waste-management/sewage/
onsite-sewage-systems
 
Tel: 1-800-663-7867

How Does My Septic System Work?
A septic system is used for homes not 
connected to a public sewer line. Septic 
systems can be an effective and safe way to 
treat domestic wastewater. Septic systems 
require proper use and regular maintenance 
to keep them working properly. 
There are many different types of septic 
systems – all operate under the same 
principles.
Wastewater from appliances and plumbing 
fixtures in the home flows into the septic 
Septic System Maintenance
Watch for warning signs that your system 
isn’t functioning properly. Wet, soggy 
ground or lush growth over the drain field, 
slow or backed-up drains and sewage 
odours around the property can be signs 
there’s a problem with the system.
As a homeowner you are responsible for ensuring your septic system is being properly maintained. 
If your system was installed after 2005, you are required to have an Authorized Person conduct 
regular maintenance on your system according to your maintenance plan. Authorized Persons are 
qualified Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioners (ROWP) or Professional Engineers who meet 
the requirements of the Provincial regulation (see contact information). 
Septic systems constructed before 2005 may not have a maintenance plan. If you do not have a 
mainte

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