The City has three different types of sewer systems to deal with the stormwater from rainfall and wastewater produced by daily activities. Storm sewer systems capture and convey natural runoff through a network of ditches or pipes and then discharge it into the natural bodies of water through gravity and pump station outfalls. Sanitary and combined sewers are an underground network of service connections, pipes, manholes and pump stations that collect and convey wastewater to the regional trunk sewers and wastewater treatment plants operated by Metro Vancouver. Combined sewer systems collect both the sanitary sewage and storm water into a single pipe. The city is replacing this type of sewer because during large storms the rainwater can result in the system reaching its capacity and overflowing into the Fraser River.
 
The Sewers and Drainage Branch is responsible for the maintenance, repair and upgrading of the sanitary and storm sewer system including storm and sanitary sewer mains, services to the property line, drainage pumps, sanitary lift stations, dykes, drainage system, and equipment pool.
 

Contact

Engineering Operations
Phone: 604-526-4691
Email:

Utilities Engineer
Phone: 604-527-4592

Account & Billing Inquiries:
Phone: 604-527-4555

  • Site remediation, redevelopment activities and construction excavation can lead to the collection of groundwater that needs to be appropriately managed and removed from the site.  In the City of New Westminster’s urban setting, this is most readily done by discharging to the sanitary/combined system or storm sewer system.  All discharges to any part of the sewer systems are regulated by the City of New Westminster’s Sewer and Drainage Regulation By-law No. 7746.  If groundwater discharge is required, special consideration is required to determine whether the discharge must be directed to the sanitary/combined sewer system or the storm sewer system. 

    Do you need a wastewater discharge permit? Groundwater Discharge Submission Form