Utilities

To conserve water, The City of Prince George implemented the City of Prince George Water Regulations and Rates Bylaw No. 7479, 2003. The bylaw is in effect 365 days a year.

Download the consolidated Water Regulations and Rates Bylaw [PDF]

Hours of Water Use Restrictions

Sprinkling is permitted for even house numbers on even numbered days and odd house numbers on odd numbered days within the prescribed hours of the day.

NOTE: Water use restrictions are in effect 365 days a year. The fine for sprinkling violators is $50.00.

Western Acres

No sprinkling: 8:00am to 5:00pm

This includes properties abutting: Cinch Loop, Hartman Road, Cantle Drive, Corral Road, and Western Road, and the frontage road north of Highway 16 West, from the 8100 block of Highway 16 West to the City's western boundary.

All Other Areas

No sprinkling: 12:00pm to 5:00pm

Rain Barrels

Benefits of rain barrels:

• Rainwater is free.
• Rainwater is better for lawns and gardens as it is not treated with chlorine.
• Using rainwater reduces demand on storm water systems
• Stored rainwater is warmer and will not shock plants or lawns
• Pumping is not required so there are no electricity costs
• Setup is easy and little maintenance is required

Rain barrels can be purchased at many garden supply centres and through Recycling and Environmental Action Planning Society.

Visit the REAPS website for more information about rain barrels

Water Use Restriction Exemption

Residents who feel they have a special circumstance with regard to water use can apply online for an exemption to the Water Use Restrictions or call: 250-561-7550.

Apply now for a Water Use Restriction Exemption

The city's water comes from a series of water wells within the city, and along the Nechako River:

• Six municipal wells draw 18 billion litres of water each year from underground aquifers.
• Using underground aquifers ensures that residents are protected against bacteria and other pollutants found in surface sources such as lakes or rivers.
• Raw water is chlorinated according to guidelines set by the Northern Health Authority. The amount of chlorine is monitored daily to maintain system-wide balance, and to ensure the highest safety levels for all residents.
• Certified City operators routinely sample the water supply for quality and safety, using accredited laboratories.
• Treated water is pumped to and stored in 15 service reservoirs.
• Water is supplied to homes from water supply well pumps or from one of the reservoirs.

Learn more about Prince George's water supply

Merits of City-Supplied Drinking Water

• Download the consolidated Water Regulations and Rates Bylaw [PDF]
  
• Download the Annual Backflow Prevention Assembly Test Report [PDF]

In extremely cold weather water pipes may freeze and can rupture. Pipes are most susceptible when located:

• In an outside wall.
• Under a sink on an outside wall.
• In an unheated crawlspace.

Prevent pipes from freezing:

• Plowing, shovel and store snow to insulate utilities on a property.
• Keep all rooms heated to 5°c where water lines enter buildings, or wrap lines with heat tape.
• Check heat tape to ensure they are plugged in and operational.
• Insulate all water lines that run along exterior walls, or that are located in garages and crawlspaces.

The City of Prince George maintains a water quality testing program to ensure the water provided to residents is among the best in the province.

Water Pressure Boundaries Map

Click on the area in the map below to read the water quality report specific to that area.

Residents interested in signing up for a water meter will need to complete an application for a plumbing permit and an application to participate in the volunteer residential water meter program.

• Apply now for a plumbing permit
• Apply now for a Volunteer Residential Water Meter

NOTE: The Plumbing Permit must signed by a qualified plumber. Applicants are recommended to print out Plumbing Permit form, fill it, have it signed by a plumber, and bring the form to Development Services in City Hall. For more information, phone Development Services at 250-561-7611.

• The City will incur the cost of the water meter and the plumbing permit, so the homeowner only pays for installation costs.
• Water utility bills are typically less for those with water meters than those on flat utility bills. Using less water results in even cheaper water bills.
• Results from the 2005 Volunteer Residential Water Meter Program saw water usage decline by an average of 30% over a 3 year period.
• Ability to immediately detect leaks in the water system.
• Ability to track water consumption and understand household water usage.

The water meter will be installed by a Certified Plumber hired by the homeowner and inspected by the City of Prince George Plumbing Inspector in a timely manner. Residents cannot install their own water meter.

The City will incur the cost of the water meter and the plumbing permit. The home-owner will incur the full cost of the installation of the water meter, all pipe fittings and adapters, and any construction required to repair damage created during installation.

The water meter is installed inside a home next to the water shut-off valve. No digging is required.

The water line will be cut just after the shut-off valve and installed in line with the pipe so that all water going into a home passes through the meter first.

Once a meter is installed it cannot be removed. Homeowners will be charged based on volume used after a period of one year. Meters are read remotely by City staff.

Help the City keep the sanitary sewer treatment process running correctly:

DO:

• Use a strainer over the drain in sinks, tubs, and showers, and empty it into the garbage, not the toilet.
• Place food scraps in the compost or garbage, scrape dishes into the garbage, not the sink.
• Use biodegradable products for cleaning and doing laundry.
• Use the manufacturer's recommended amount of detergent for cleaning (the average household uses three times more than recommended). Cutting back also saves money.
• Place a garbage can in the bathroom to dispose of solid wastes such as disposable diapers, condoms, paper towel, and personal hygiene products.
• Take pharmaceutical products to a pharmacy to be properly disposed of.
• Pour liquid fats, oils, and grease into a jar or container with a lid to cool, and then throw it in the garbage. Wipe down greasy pots and pans with a paper towel, prior to washing them, in the sink or dishwasher.
• Use the "3 Rs": Reduce, Re-use, and Recycle.

DON'T:

• Use the toilet as a garbage can.
• Pour fats, oil, or grease down the drain as they will solidify in the cold pipe.
• Pour sour milk down the drain (One litre of 3% milk has enough fat in it to cover the surface of an Olympic-sized swimming pool). Dispose of it in the garbage.
• Wash food scraps, tea leaves, coffee grounds, or eggshells down the sink.
• Flush razor blades, condoms, pharmaceutical products, cigarette butts, nail polish remover, toilet rolls, or other non-biodegradable products down the toilet.
• Pour chemicals, paint, motor oil, pesticides, or any other harmful products down the drain. Check recycling depots for disposal information. Note: Improper disposal may result in fines.
• Flush out a commercial grease interceptor with hot water to clean it or wash it in the dishwasher. Remove all grease and dispose of it appropriately.
• Use excessive detergent, as it contains large amounts of oil, grease, and fat. It makes cleaning and treating waste water difficult and costly. This will result in less phosphate entering the water table, and will prevent excess algae growth in the water.

Sanitary Cleanout

The sanitary cleanout is the exterior access point of the service connection to a structure. It is accessed for the removal of obstructions or for inspection with a camera.

The City will be responsible for any defects identified within the service connection. Any repairs required on the building's sewer side are the responsibility of the property owner.

Download the Division of Responsibilities [PDF]

Reimbursement will be provided up to a maximum of $185.00 for CCTV work, $30.00 for a service locate, and $20.00 dollars for a DVD (plus tax), if the defect is within the service connection. If there are issues or problems on both sides, a partial reimbursement may be possible. This refund shall only be approved once in a three-year period.

A DVD of the CCTV inspection must be dropped off at Public Works office located at 3990-18th Avenue, and will become the property of the City. If the CCTV inspection video does not meet City standards it will be returned without reimbursement.

Provincial Regulations: Local Government Act

The City is NOT presumed to be responsible for the consequences of a blocked sanitary line just because the blockage is on City side. The City is regulated by the British Columbia Local Government Act.

"Immunity against certain nuisance actions."

No. 744 A municipality, council, regional district, board or improvement district, or a greater board, is not liable in any action based on nuisance if the damages arise, directly or indirectly, out of the breakdown or malfunction of:

1. a sewer system;
2. a water or drainage facility or system, and/or;
3. a dike or a road.

Ask a plumber or licensed technician these questions and document the answers:

• Was a snake, root cutter, or another method used to clear the blockage?
• If a root cutter was used, what size was it? Note: This is only a temporary solution
• How many times did the plumber work the line with the snake or root cutter? (It usually takes several passes to ensure complete removal  a blockage)
• What was the total distance of root cut or snaked? (This will identify if the entire line was cleared)
• Where was the blockage located?
• Did the plumber suggest a CCTV inspection? (This is a costly expense but is recommended for recurring sewer backups or problems)

View the Industrial Commercial and Institutional Sanitary Maintenance Procedure the Sanitary Sewer Backup Fact Sheet or the Sanitary Sewer Backup Procedure for more information.