Sanitary Sewers
Current Sewer Work in the City
Sewer work is currently underway at the following locations:
| Date | Hours | Location | Activity |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | 8:00am - 4:00pm | Ash catchment | Asset inspections and repairs |
| October | 8:00am - 4:00pm | Aspin catchment | Asset inspections and repairs |
| October | 8:00am - 4:00pm | Eckersley catchment | Mainline flushing |
| October | 8:00am - 4:00pm | Gabriola catchment | Asset inspections and repairs |
| October | 8:00am - 4:00pm | Phoenix catchment | Asset inspections and repairs |
| October | 8:00am - 4:00pm | Viscount catchment | Mainline flushing |
What We Do
The City of Richmond’s Sanitary Sewer section is responsible for the installation, operation and maintenance of sanitary sewer infrastructure, including:
- 569 km of sewer mainline and force mainline (sewer mains are the gravity portion of the system that collects wastewater and transports it to the sanitary pump station. Force mains are the pipes that carry the wastewater from the pump station to the treatment plant.)
- Manholes (underground pipework access points, which allow for maintenance and blockage removal. Manholes provide a physical entrance.)
- Inspection chambers (underground pipework access points, which allow for maintenance and blockage removal. Inspection chambers are for cameras and equipment only.)
- Pigging chambers (structures on sanitary force mains that allow crews to flush the mainline and conduct closed-circuit television inspections.)
- Air valves (provide system protection by regulating air flow.)
- Line valves (placed on force mains to isolate sections of the pipe network in case of a break or when there is scheduled work on the pipeline.)
We protect public health by ensuring all wastewater is collected through the pipeline network, deposited into sanitary pump stations and delivered to the treatment facility.
We conduct an annual flushing program and operate on a seven-year cycle to inspect all sewer assets.
The Sanitary Sewer section typically responds to approximately 300 public requests for service, which include situations where sewer mains back up or collapse.
Work Notifications
Before any work is done in your neighbourhood and/or on your property, City staff will knock on your door and speak with you in person.
If no one is home, a notice will be left on the front door handle.
The following are notices Engineering and Public Works staff may leave on your door:
Cleaning sewer mainlines or inspecting assets – English
Cleaning sewer mainlines or inspecting assets – Traditional Chinese
Cleaning sewer mainlines or inspecting assets – Simplified Chinese
Cleaning sewer mainlines or inspecting assets – Punjabi
Preventative drainage sewer work due to illegal drains - English
Covered sanitary assets - English
Grease buildup – English
Grease buildup – Traditional Chinese
Grease buildup – Simplified Chinese
If your toilet, sink or sewer is backed up, please call Public Works dispatch at 604-270-8721 so City crews can investigate the issue before you hire a plumber.
Related Information
Richmond's Interactive Map (RIM)
Richmond's Interactive Map (RIM) is the City's web application for searching, viewing and printing various spatial data. Users can customize different map views and layouts, including sanitary sewer information (lines, valves, flow direction, etc.). Click on the Layer List > Richmond Data > Utilities > Sanitary.