Port Alberni, British Columbia, updated its water and sewer system rules in 2025 to protect multimillion-dollar upgrades to city pipes and treatment facilities. The new regulations define how residents connect to city water lines and prohibit specific wastes from entering the sewer system to prevent expensive damage.
The regulatory changes were enacted in Waterworks Bylaw No. 5131; the city’s 2025–2029 Five Year Financial Plan provided funding and financial direction as part of a broader infrastructure modernization package. These updates form part of a $65 million, long-term commitment to modernize the community’s infrastructure and eliminate the discharge of untreated sewage into the Alberni Inlet.
Under the Recertifying and Decommissioning Connections Policy, existing underground service lines installed more than 25 years ago must be recertified before new construction or major renovations can proceed. Property owners are responsible for the service connections on their own land, while the city is responsible for installation and maintenance of connections from the mains to the property line.
The city’s updated rules also bar disposal of certain materials into the sewer system — including so-called “flushable” wipes, fats, oils and grease (FOG), and certain industrial chemicals (for example, hydrocarbons, fuel oils and lubricants) — to prevent clogs and chemical damage. Those measures are intended to protect the upgraded wastewater treatment plant, which was reported with a projected cost of approximately $37.9 million, and to reduce ongoing maintenance and environmental risks.
