The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George has established sewage disposal setback requirements for properties within 150 metres of the natural boundary of a lake. These setback requirements must be met when upgrading or building a sewage disposal system.
The setbacks have been established as minimum setback requirements to protect the natural environment, its ecosystem and biological diversity of lake resources within the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George. These setbacks are over and above the minimum setbacks for a sewage system from a lake as required by the Sewerage System Regulation.
Natural Boundary means the visible high water mark of any lake, river, stream or other body of water where the presence and action of the water are so common and usual and so long continued in all ordinary years as to mark upon the soil of the bed of the lake, river, stream or other body of water a character distinct from that of the banks thereof, in respect of vegetation, as well as in respect of the nature of the soil itself.
Types of Systems and Setback Requirements
The sewage disposal system setbacks are for lagoons, pit privies (outhouses) and absorption fields.
A sewage disposal lagoon is required to be a minimum of 60 metres (200 feet) from the natural boundary of a lake.
There are some recreational zones within the Regional District where a pit privy (outhouse) is permitted. To find out if pit privies are permitted on a property, contact the Development Services department.
If permitted, a pit privy is required to be a minimum of 60 metres (200 feet) from the natural boundary of a lake, or 30 metres (100 feet) where it allowable through a percolation test as shown in the following table.
| Porous | Soil Depth | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| percolation rate min/2.5 cm (min/inch) | 1.2 m to less than 1.8 m (>4ft but < 6ft) | 1.8 m to less than 2.4 m (. 6ft but < 8 ft) | 2.4 m to less than 3.6 m (.8 ft but , 12 ft) | 3.6 m to less than 6 m (.12 ft but < 20 ft) | 6 m or more (.20 ft) |
| < 2 | 150 m | 150 | 120 | 90 | 30m |
| > 2 but < 5 | 150 | 120 | 90 | 60 | 30 |
| > 5 but < 10 | 120 | 900 | 60 | 30 | 30 |
| > 10 but < 15 | 90 | 60 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| > 15 but < 20 | 60 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| > 20 but < 30 | 30m | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30m |
Porous soil depth means the depth of soil above the water table or pervious soil (percolation rate slower than 30 min/2.5 cm) below septic field pipe or bottom of pit privy.
The minimal horizontal distance for a drainage field, surface or subsurface sewage disposal system from the natural boundary of a lake is dependent on soil percolation rates.
The minimum distance of an absorption field in relation to percolation rates is shown in the table below. The minimum distance of an absorption field, depending on percolation rates, ranges from 30 metres (100 ft) to 150 metres (492 feet).
| Porous | Soil Depth | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| percolation rate min/2.5 cm (min/inch) | 1.2 m to less than 1.8 m (>4ft but < 6ft) | 1.8 m to less than 2.4 m (. 6ft but < 8 ft) | 2.4 m to less than 3.6 m (.8 ft but , 12 ft) | 3.6 m to less than 6 m (.12 ft but < 20 ft) | 6 m or more (.20 ft) |
| < 2 | 150 m | 150 | 120 | 90 | 30m |
| > 2 but < 5 | 150 | 120 | 90 | 60 | 30 |
| > 5 but < 10 | 120 | 900 | 60 | 30 | 30 |
| > 10 but < 15 | 90 | 60 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| > 15 but < 20 | 60 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| > 20 but < 30 | 30m | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30m |
Porous soil depth means the depth of soil above the water table or pervious soil (percolation rate slower than 30 min/2.5 cm) below septic field pipe or bottom of pit privy.
The regulations for a sewage absorption field system must be met to the satisfaction of the Regional District prior to a Development Permit or Building Permit being issued. Results of percolation tests done by an authorized person under the Sewerage System Regulation must be submitted to the Regional District to confirm the setback for an absorption field from the Natural Boundary of a lake.
Other approvals, such as Development Permits, may be required when development is proposed along a water body. Contact the Regional District during the planning stages of your proposed development to ensure that all applicable regulations are considered.
Only authorized persons under the Sewerage System Regulation may plan, install or maintain sewage systems. An authorized person includes a Registered Onsite Wastewater Practitioner (ROWP) or a professional engineer. ROWPs are registered with the Applied Science Technologists & Technicians of British Columbia (ASTTBC). Northern Health 's Public Health Protection Office can provide additional information regarding authorization for sewage systems in the Regional District.
The Regional District of Fraser-Fort George will not approve development of a sewage system near a lake without paperwork submitted by a professional engineer or ROWP. A permit for a pit privy is not required under the Sewerage Regulation, but a “best practices” handout for design and installation is available from Northern Health.