Sewer, Drainage, Irrigation and Dikes

The Corporation of Delta operates and maintains hundreds of kilometres of storm, sanitary and combined sewer mains, drainage ditches, irrigation channels, as well as several pump stations. While we do our best to keep systems in peak condition, problems do sometimes arise.

Please call the Engineering Department at (604) 946-3260 for help with the following:

• Ditch in-fill needed
• Effluent spewing out of your sewer
• Foul odour
• Flooding basement - (see information on Flooding - Preventative Maintenance)
• Damaged/blocked culvert
• New connection needed
• Need help finding a water/sewer connection
• Noisy manhole cover
• Spill of unknown substance in drainage ditch, storm drain or other water way

If You Have a Backed-up Sink or Toilet

Your first line of defence against a backed-up sink or toilet is the common household plunger. Since you, as the homeowner, are responsible for the sewer line from the property to the main connection, there are a couple of things you need to do before you call the Corporation of Delta:

1. Try using a plunger
2. If plunger doesn't work, check if the sewer line is plugged or damaged. You can do this yourself or call a plumber.
3. If the plumber is unsuccessful at clearing the line, call the Corporation of Delta Engineering Department at (604) 946-3260.

Sewer maps are available at Delta Municipal Hall. Information is given out over the telephone only in an emergency.

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Sewers

Delta municipal staff clean sewers by using sewer flush trucks, inspect and repair manholes broken sewer mains and services.

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Drainage and Irrigation

Delta staff work to maintain the pipes and ditches so that the water flows uninterrupted to the outlets without causing flooding. We work closely with the Climate Action & Environment division to track spills and minimize the effects caused by them.

The main objective is to ensure drainage of the floodplain lands. This is achieved with large drainage pump stations, large floodboxes and ditches/ drainage channels, which convey storm flows to the Fraser River or the sea.

During the summer months, when the risk of flooding is generally lower, water levels are increased to assist the local farmers with crop production. This is achieved by installing baffles at the floodboxes, allowing Fraser River water to enter the local ditches. Irrigation activities include liaison with the Farmer's Institute and individual farmers for water requirements during growing and harvesting seasons, and regulating and balancing Delta's irrigation and drainage needs.

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Stormwater

Stormwater runoff is water from rainfall that flows across the land. The runoff may come from the urban areas, agricultural land, commercial, industrial and residential properties. Delta's stormwater system is a combination of closed pipe systems, box culverts, open ditches, sloughs, floodboxes and pump stations. It is closely monitored and upgraded through annual maintenance programs, new construction and infrastructure improvements.

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Dikes

A dike system surrounds the lowlands of Delta. It protects Ladner, the farmlands and other low-lying areas from daily inundation. The elevation of the Delta lowlands is between 1m and 1.5m while high tides can be 2.0m. To maintain dike integrity, the Corporation of Delta oversees maintenance activities and construction where upgrades are required. These activities ensure that Delta's dike network meets the Provincial Diking Authority requirements.

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Integrated Liquid Waste & Resource Management Plan (ILWRMP)

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