Sewer System

The major household contributors of wastewater are toilets, sinks, showers, and floor drains. Most of the water used in a home ends up in the sanitary sewer system.

• 40% is flushed down the toilet
• 30% is used in showers and baths
• 15% is used for dishwashing and laundry

Combined, these account for 85% of household wastewater. Another major source of wastewater comes from the weeping tiles in some homes. Weeping tiles are pipes surrounding the foundation of buildings. These absorb water near the foundation to protect it from water damage. Weeping tiles in houses built between 1970 and 1994 release water into the sanitary sewer system.

Large amounts of water can enter the sanitary sewer during storms. This can be due to improper lot grading. During storms, these large flows can overload a sanitary system. This can cause sewage backup and basement flooding.

In 1994, Council passed a bylaw that banned linking weeping tiles up to the sanitary sewer. This was to control flooding and to put the responsibility for lot grading on homeowners. This change should reduce the amount of water in sanitary sewer systems in new areas.

We have strict bylaws about wastewater disposal that help protect the environment from harmful substances. This is because our treatment plant may not be able to remove these substances. There are strict penalties for putting harmful substances into the sewers.

Anything that could harm animals, plants, humans or the sewer is not permitted in the sewer system. These include but are not limited to:

• paints
• organic solvents
• any corrosive matter (by itself or in combination)
• any dye that may alter the colour of sewage

The relevant rules and regulations are outlined in the Wastewater Bylaw.

We test the quality of the wastewater that enters the sewers. This allows us to regulate disposal and ensure compliance with the bylaw. It is against the law to put harmful substances into the sewers so if you do this, you may be fined and/or your sewer service may be disconnected.

Some businesses have wastewater with high levels of phosphorous, nitrogen, or grease. These high levels means it will cost more to treat the sewage. If the wastewater strength is above the allowed levels, we will charge the business more for treatment or make the business pre-treat its waste.

Because our wastewater is primarily organic matter, we use a lagoon treatment system. Bubbling air through the water breaks down the waste. We do not use chemical systems in our treatment. The air system removes most of the nutrients found in the water.

Removing the nutrients in the wastewater is important to limit the damage to Camrose Creek. Besides removing the organic matter, the process also removes solid debris such as rocks, clay, sticks, cans, and rags.

Our treatment system does not have a process to remove all pollutants. Small amounts of metals and chemicals settle out of the water. The sludge that forms at the bottom of the lagoon retains these substances. Yet the system cannot handle large amounts of these types of substances. This is why we need bylaws and the cooperation of our citizens and industries.

We accept hauled non-septic wastewater at our wastewater lagoons.

Non-septic waste is liquid waste collected from car washes or garage sumps. Oils and grease must be separate from the waste before it is accepted. Also, it must not contain sanitary waste (liquids from toilets, sinks, or showers). All hauled non-septic waste sent to the lagoons must follow the City's Wastewater Bylaw.

For each load, an Application for Wastewater Disposal is needed before disposal. The application must summarize the type and source of the waste material. A Public Works operator may ask to check this application and/or inspect and test the load to ensure that the wastewater is acceptable.

We accept septic wastewater at our wastewater lagoons from approved hauling companies only.

Septic waste is usually wastewater collected from septic tanks. It contains water from toilets, sinks and showers. All septic waste sent to the lagoons must follow the City's Wastewater Bylaw.

For each load, an Application for Wastewater Disposal is needed before disposal. The application must summarize the type and source of the waste material. A Public Works operator may ask to check this application and/or inspect and test the load to ensure that the wastewater is acceptable.

Companies who wish to haul septic waste to the lagoons must apply at Public Works. Companies must provide:

• Company contact and ownership information,
• Information about the types and sizes of the trucks used,
• Information about the source and characteristics of the sludge, and
• Approximate planned sludge volumes.

A signed agreement with the hauling company must be in place before we accept any hauled waste.