Key changes to the Water Conservation Plumbing Regulation
The provincial Water Conservation Plumbing Regulation has been amended to require the installation of low consumption (6 litre) toilets in specific local government jurisdictions:
- Effective January 1, 2005, all new toilets installed throughout the Capital Regional District must have a flush cycle no greater than 6 litres.
- Effective September 30, 2005, the Regulation applies to an additional 17 geographic areas.
- Effective April 15, 2007, the Regulation will apply to another 21 geographic areas.
In areas not specified for low consumption toilets, the Regulation requires that new installations of toilets use fixtures with a flush cycle no greater than 13.25 litres. Building owners may opt for a low consumption or ultra-low consumption toilet.
In what areas does the new requirement for low consumption toilets apply?
Effective January 1, 2005, the requirement for low consumption toilets applied to the Capital Regional District. This includes areas, such as the Gulf Islands, that are not supplied by CRD water.
Effective September 30, 2005, the Regulation was expanded to include an additional 17 geographic areas:
- All electoral areas of the Cowichan Valley Regional District;
- All electoral areas of the Regional District of Nanaimo;
- electoral areas C and D of the North Okanagan Regional District;
- Municipality of Bowen Island;
- City of Enderby;
- City of Kamloops;
- City of Vernon;
- District of Campbell River;
- District of Coldstream;
- District of North Cowichan;
- Greater Vancouver Water District (excluding those areas not subject to regulations established pursuant to the Local Government Act);
- Town of Gibsons;
- Township of Spallumcheen;
- Village of Cumberland;
- Village of Lumby;
- Village of Sayward;
- Village of Telkwa.
Effective April 15, 2007, the Regulation will apply to an additional 21 geographic areas:
- All electoral areas of the Regional District of Central Okanagan
- All electoral areas of Thompson-Nicola Regional District
- Electoral areas A,C,D,E,F and H of the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District
- City of Dawson Creek
- City of Kimberley
- City of Merritt
- City of Nelson
- District of Houston
- District of Lantzville
- District of Logan Lake
- District of Mission
- Town of Comox
- Town of Ladysmith
- Town of Oliver
- Village of Ashcroft
- Village of Chase
- Village of Clinton
- Village of Kaslo
- Village of Lytton
- Village of Pemberton
- Village of Radium Hot Springs
Do existing toilets have to be replaced?
Existing functioning toilets do not need to be replaced as a result of this Regulation.
What is meant by 'new installations'?
Any toilet that is being installed for the first time is a new installation. This could be a toilet installed in a building that is under construction. It could also be a new toilet that is replacing an old toilet.
Why is the provincial government requiring the installation of low consumption toilets?
The provincial government amended the Water Conservation Plumbing Regulation to require low consumption toilets in response to a direct request from specific communities. On a broader scale, increasing demand for water, combined with supply shortages, have highlighted the need to use existing water supplies more efficiently. The use of low consumption toilets is expected to produce significant water savings, which can:
- Decrease water utility operating and capital costs
- Reduce ecological impacts
- Increase availability of water for other uses
Further information
For more information please contact the Building and Safety Policy Branch via e-mail at Building.Safety@gov.bc.ca.
Other sites with further information:
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