Liquid waste in our region is processed by sewer systems and individual septic systems. Sewer systems in our region are managed by private operators, improvement districts, municipalities, and the CVRD. In our region, non-point source pollution is a major contributor of liquid waste.  Non-point sources include runoff from farming activities, failed septic systems, vehicles and gardening products. Effluent from non-point sources is often not managed by community drainage systems.

Liquid waste management is a broad term used to describe the collection, treatment and disposal of sewage, as well as the protection of the environment from polluted runoff. A liquid waste management plan (LWMP) guides these activities, and is designed specifically to meet the needs of individual areas, based on technical and regulatory requirements, as well as input from the community. The province has directed the CVRD to develop liquid waste management plans (LWMPs) for the Central Sector and South Sector of our region.