Our sanitary sewer has around 680 kilometres of pipe that connect residential and commercial properties to the local wastewater treatment plant and lagoons. Once treated, wastewater is discharged into the Fraser River and other creeks and streams.
Sanitary sewer blockages
The unthinkable has happened. Sewage is slowly backing up into your home and it's all too clear there's a blockage somewhere.
Sewer blockages can happen due to natural causes like vegetation (e.g. roots) growing into a line. More often than not, however, improper disposal of waste like grease, baby wipes, diapers, and other non-flushable items are to blame.
The first step is to contact the Service Centre at:
Phone: 3-1-1
Email: 311@princegeorge.caThe City will help you identify the blockage's source.
- If the blockage is in the City's sanitary sewer main, the City will clear it.
- If the blockage is not in the sanitary sewer main, the property owner is responsible for clearing it.
Non-sanitary sewer main blockages
Property owners are responsible for removing any blockages within the sanitary service connection or building sanitary sewer. Take the following steps:
- Contact a plumber or licensed plumbing technician for assistance.
- If you have homeowners or other property insurance, notify the insurance agent to see if the claim is covered.
- Document all actions taken (calls, contacts, costs) and take photographs of the damage caused.
For more information:
- Download the Sanitary Sewer Backup Procedure Fact Sheet
Property owners must keep the sanitary cleanout (the sanitary sewer connection's access point to a building) clear.
- Do not bury or pave over the cleanout. Any damage caused in locating the cleanout is your responsibility.
- If a cleanout needs to be raised or lowered or if the cap is missing or damaged, contact the City immediately by phoning 3-1-1.
- Any damage caused to the cleanout due to the property owner's negligence will be repaired by City staff at the owner's expense.
- Cleanouts located in driveways are required to be in a valve box supplied by the City and are installed by the property owner or contractor.
The City will be responsible for any defects identified in the service connection. Any repairs required on the building's sanitary sewer side are the property owner's responsibility.
Reimbursement will be provided if the defect is within the service connection up to a maximum of:
- $185.00 for CCTV work
- $30.00 for a service locate
- $20.00 dollars for a DVD (plus tax),
If there are issues or problems on both sides, partial reimbursement may be possible. This refund will only be approved once in a three-year period.
A DVD of the CCTV inspection must be dropped off at:
Public Works
3990 - 18th Avenue
Prince George, BC V2N 4R8
CanadaIf the CCTV inspection video does not meet City standards it will be returned without reimbursement.
The City is not presumed to be responsible for the consequences of a blocked sanitary sewer line simply because the blockage is on the City side. The City is governed by the British Columbia Local Government Act and is considered immune against certain nuisance actions caused by a breakdown or malfunction in the sewer system.
The City will also not provide reimbursement if the City has not been notified of a blocked sanitary sewer at the time of an incident.
For more information, contact:
Phone: 3-1-1
Email: 311@princegeorge.ca
Source Control Program and discharge permits
The City started the Source Control Program in 2015 to safeguard public and worker health, property, City infrastructure, and the environment.
Our staff work with residents and commercial, industrial, and institutional operations to ensure they follow City sewer bylaws. Education and outreach are key to the program's success. Program activities include:
- Building plan and development review
- Industrial monitoring
- Compliance sampling
- Issuing waste discharge permits
- Site inspections
- Investigations
- Spill prevention and response
- Bylaw development
Codes of Practice are implemented to regulate waste discharges to the sanitary sewer system from industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors. Codes of Practice set out minimum waste treatment, equipment maintenance and record keeping requirements for specific land uses.
The City has three (3) Codes of Practice as per the Sanitary Sewer Use Bylaw No. 9055, 2019:
- Food Service Operations
- Mechanical Repair Operations
- Vehicle Wash Operations
A business that can operate under a Code of Practice does not require a Waste Discharge Permit unless that business is not able to meet the requirements of the Sanitary Sewer Use Bylaw No. 9055, 2019 or as otherwise specified by Source Control staff.
Waste Discharge Permits are issued to industries, businesses, and institutions that discharge significant, non-domestic wastewater containing specified chemical contaminants into our sanitary sewer system.
Waste Discharge Permits issued by the City:
- Are site-specific regulatory authorizations granting permission to discharge waste to the sanitary sewer.
- Contain discharge requirements and best management practices designed to limit the impact of the discharge and the potential for illegal discharges.
- Specify requirements for wastewater treatment, effluent quality, monitoring and reporting.
- Are of specified duration.
- Are authorizations that may be amended, suspended or cancelled.
To find out whether your business or organization needs Waste Discharge Permit, contact us:
Phone: 3-1-1
Email: 311@princegeorge.caTo apply for a Waste Discharge Permit: