Regional Source Control Program
Regional Source Control Program
The Regional Source Control program is a pollution prevention initiative aimed at reducing the amount of contaminants that industry, businesses, institutions and households discharge into the district’s sanitary sewer systems. The program has been active region-wide since the adoption of the CRD’s Sewer Use Bylaw in August 1994. Source Control is a cost effective way of protecting wastewater treatment and the environment.
The Regional Source Control program is one of seven liquid waste management programs that form part of the CRD’s Core Liquid Waste Management Plan.
As part of the Liquid Waste Management Plan, annual reports and five-year reviews are made available to the public.
)What does Source Control do?
Source Control focuses on the reduction or elimination of contaminants before they enter the sewer system rather than treating them after they have been mixed with other wastes.
How does Source Control protect our environment?
By Protecting Wastewater Treatment Facilities
A significant part of Source Control is focused on protecting sewage infrastructure, sewage workers, biosolids and wastewater treatment facilities. The program targets contaminants that can contribute to blocking or corroding sewer lines, producing noxious fumes, rendering biosolids useless or killing beneficial bacteria in wastewater treatment.
By Protecting our Environment
Source control plays a significant role in protecting the environment regardless of the level of wastewater treatment. Working with local industries, businesses and institutions, the program has greatly reduced contaminants in the marine receiving environment.
Reducing or eliminating contaminants at the source is important because some pollutants are not removed or only partially removed by treatment. Some contaminants can only be removed by very expensive treatment options; while other pollutants can be reactivated or negatively altered with wastewater treatment.
By Protecting the Marine Receiving Environment
The Regional Source Control program has been successful in protecting the marine receiving environment by reducing waste at its source. With wastewater treatment for the Core Area, the Regional Source Control program will play an even greater role in protecting the marine receiving environment by also protecting wastewater treatment.
© Images courtesy of Evan Leeson & Matt Knoth
